Rumors
"Abraham Lincoln's coffin was pried open twice. The first occasion was in 1887, twenty-two long years after his assassination. Why? You may be surprised to know it was not to determine if he had died of a bullet fired from John Wilkes Booth's derringer. Then why? Because a rumor was sweeping the country that his coffin was empty. A select group of witnesses observed that the rumor was totally false, then watched as the casket was resealed with lead.
A second time, fourteen years later, the martyred man's withered body was viewed again--this time by even more witnesses. Why again? For the same grim purpose! Rumors of the same nature had again implanted doubts in the public's mind. The pressure mounted to such proportions, that the same ghoulish, grotesque ceremony had to be carried out. In spite of the strong protests of Lincoln's son Robert, the body was exposed a second time. Officials felt the rumors should be laid to rest along with the Civil War president. Finally--the corpse was permanently embedded in a crypt at Springfield.
Swindoll offers four suggestions for silencing gossip:
1. Identify sources by name. If someone is determined to share information that is damaging or hurtful, request that the source be specifically stated.
2. Support evidence with facts. Do not accept hearsay. Refuse to listen unless hoest-to goodness truth is being communicated.
3. Ask the person, 'May I quote you?'
4. Openly admit, 'I don't appreciate hearing that.' This approach is for the strong. It might drive a wedge between you.and the guilty . . . but it's a sure way to halt the regular garbage delivery to your ears.
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).
The Dating Stamp of Approval
Michelle Arshad, 24, from Toronto, Canada, has had it with traditional dating and trying to find Mr. Right, so she's taken matters into her own hands. Or, taken matters to others' hands. Or, well, something like that.
Ms. Arshad has decided to look for Mr. Right in her own, very innovative way. She now visits local bars and hangouts with an assortment of stamps with which to mark prospective "good dating" candidates.
The stamp of choice reads, "You're cute ... You should hit me up."
With the flick of the wrist, she places her stamp of approval on dating (and potentially mating) prospects.
She shared her strategy in a TikTok video which now has over 2.4 million views.
What could possibly go wrong?
Ladies, "cuteness" is a lousy criterion for dating material.
You want a man with a "stamp of approval," all right. But you want to be sure he carries the ultimate stamp. You want a man after God's own heart. A man who carries the Lord's seal of approval.
Next time you're out looking for a date or a mate, make sure the Lover of his soul has already stamped him with His own mark.
Consider 2 Corinthians 1:22. The New Century Version renders it this way, "He put his mark on us to show us that we are His, and He put His Spirit in our hearts to show us that we are really His."
The Message Version renders verses 20,22 this way, "Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. ... By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge - a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete."
Before you place your stamp of approval, look for the Lord's first.