Matthew 9:33. "And when the demon had been cast out, the dumb man spoke; and the crowds marveled saying, 'Never was anything like this seen in Israel.'"

The man Jesus cured here was not just dumb, but also possessed - he is described as a "dumb demoniac" (Matthew 9:32). The inability to speak seems directly related to the demon, since as soon as the demon is cast out, the man speaks. I wonder what he said? I wonder if he was a holy man, who refused to speak ill of God or others, and that was why the demon rendered him mute? Perhaps his muteness was a sign of his daily resistance to the demon.

I am thinking this because it seems to me that demons like to talk. They love to spread lies and hate and to boast of their power. They also, though, like to hide in people, making it seem like those they possess are the ones speaking their evil words. This brings the contempt of others on the possessed person, while also having the possessed spread wickedness - it is a win-win for the demon. So the muteness of this possessed man seems like an anomaly to me. I hope it was that he refused to speak the demon's words. I hope that his first words upon being freed were words of praise that he wanted to speak all along.

I should remember that my lips are not sealed, I can and should speak God's praise at all times. "O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise." (Psalm 51:15)