Scold's Bridle
According to varous sources,
For hundreds of years in the British Isles, one of the worst things someone could be was a “scold.” This was a term used for women — and sometimes, but rarely, men — who gossiped, slandered others, fought loudly, or, basically, spoke out of turn.
So what could be done about one with such an unruly tongue? Why merciless shame and torture, of course.
From the 16th until the 19th century, women accused of being scolds, shrews, or having "loose morals" were often fitted masks known as Scold's Bridles that held their tongues with an iron gag.
The bridle was fitted over the face and head, with wearers often paraded about town to inflict further pain and shame.
Wow, this really adds new meaning to the scolding command, "Hold your tongue!"
Scripture is replete with references to the wayward tongue, James 1:26 cheif among them, "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless" (ESV).
And of course, we find a consumate passage dedicated to the subject in James 3:3-12 (ESV):
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Yet the solution to this "restless evil" is not within the grasp of our own human effort (nor even of punishment and shame). Rather, the solution llies within the heart alone:
"But whatever [word] comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles and dishonors the man" (Matthew 15:18, APM).
Only a change of heart can serve as sufficient bridle for the tongue and the damage it can cause.
"The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things" (Proverbs 15:28, ESV).
"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45, ESV).
How To Can The Gossip
China's ambassador to Zambia, Yang Youming, is attempting to stop a terrible rumor. What's the misinformation that has the ambassador so concerned? According to Adam Taylor with the Washington Post, it's that, "China was taking dead bodies, marinating them, putting them in cans and then selling them in African supermarkets."
Adam Taylor reports:
Some reports quoted people who allegedly worked in Chinese meat factories as saying that the practice had begun because China had run out of space to bury their dead or that Beijing reserved its good, nonhuman meat for more powerful countries.
Of course, the rumors are false. In fact, the photographs posted online of this "human flesh" were taken from a 2012 marketing stunt for the video-game Resident Evil 6.
Have you ever found yourself questioning whether a wild sounding rumor might be true? Why do the Zambian’s believe they're being served human flesh? Turns out, there was a violation of trust that took place long before the rumors began to fly. The Zambian’s mistrusted the Chinese because they had a reputation of allowing dangerous working conditions on their projects, which led to an explosion at a factory in 2005, killing more than 50 Zambian workers.
There is no sure way to avoid becoming a victim of unfair gossip, but maintaining a good reputation will help. When we have a good reputation, it undermines the credibility of any falsehoods that might arise.
"Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us" (1 Peter 2:12)
Whoa, Whoa, Whoa Your Boat!
(August 2015) Unfortunately for folks in southwestern Colorado and several surrounding states, the trouble that's come to them is more than a matter that can be solved by staying out of the Los Animas River. Due to a mishap by some federally-supervised workers, a blowout in the Gold King Mine in the mountains above Silverton has resulted in millions of gallons of toxins, include mercury and arsenic, being sent downstream into water supplies.
This mishap has contaminated domestic wells and endangered fish and livestock. It has negatively impacted tourist industries that rely on customers who raft, canoe, and fish in the river. It has impacted irrigation and city water intake facilities. All of this from a single incident in a mine hundreds of miles away from many of the affected areas.
No one knows how this situation will ultimately be resolved, or how much it will cost. Although the problem started in a relatively small, remote area, it has become a national story. And as the river continues to flow, the troubles will likely continue to compound.
Have you considered the power of your influence? A single negative conversation, an impulsive act, or a thought unchecked can lead to outcomes that are impossible to anticipate. So many in Scripture have learned of the destructive power of being a negative spiritual influence the hard way. David learned it (2 Samuel 11:1-2). The young lads from Bethel learned it (2 Kings 2:23-24). Judas learned it (Matthew 26:15).
It can cause spiritual babes to stumble (Matthew 18:6), the offender to stumble (Matthew 18:8), and the world to blaspheme (2 Samuel 12:14). No amount of remorse, regret, or retreat can undo its toxicity.
If you find yourself in the “clean up” stage, realize that with time and effort you can work to counteract the impact of poor influence. There may be lingering consequences, but you can mitigate that through genuine repentance. It doesn’t have to end catastrophically, as it did for Judas. Let it end triumphantly, as it did for Peter.
Keep in mind, too, that a positive influence works the same way (Matthew 13:33). A kind, righteous thought, word, or deed can trigger a powerful effect that leads the lost to be saved and those on the broad way to change course. You may never see the end result of your influence, but rest assured that a life well lived will touch more lives than you think.