"OC" is short for oleoresin capsicum, which is extracted from chilli peppers and is commonly called Pepper Spray. This product is the most widely sold today and the spray of choice for police since 1977. Pepper spray is generally regarded to be the most distressing to experience, but it must be sprayed directly in the eyes or inhaled to be most effective. The product is an oily liquid that is not very soluble in water. The strongest concentrations are 15% active ingredients and rated at least two-million scoville heat units. The high scoville heat rating is more important than the percentage of ingredients. Direct facial contact and inhalation of the spray will induce coughing, choking, and nausea, as well as dilation of the eye capillaries resulting in temporary blindness. The mucous membranes will swell causing breathing difficulties and causing the assailant to be temporarily incapacitated. Skin contact will cause a burning sensation, which is further aggravated by rubbing the area. A one second burst can affect an attacker for up to 45 minutes without causing permanent damage.
Bear Spray is referred to by many different names: bear spray, bear pepper spray, mace bear spray, and bear repellent spray. They’re all basically the same thing. Bear mace is a non-lethal defense against bear attacks. Similar to mace or pepper spray used on humans, but obviously much, MUCH stronger since this stuff is designed to stop a grizzly dead in its tracks.
I can personally attest this fact. I had an accidental encounter with bear spray one day at about 3 PM, and my skin was still burning at 11 PM that night. I had another coughing spell the next morning and thought I was going to throw up.
A little can of this stuff can repel a thousand pound grizzly. Some stats I read indicate bear spray is more effective at repelling bears than a 357 or 44 magnum hand gun.
James 3:2-12 says, “We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."
Here are a few observations that can help you keep your tongue under control.
- Remember, your tongue is small, but, like a can of bear spray, it is powerful. Proverbs says it can crush a bone! Use it with care.
- Your tongue can do good things – great things, like praising your creator.
- Your tongue, like the tiller and rudder of a ship, needs to be controlled v4.
- Your tongue cannot be tamed, at least, not by this worlds wisdom verses 14-16.
- Your tongue can be tamed by wisdom from heaven.
Heavenly wisdom is:
- Pure not dirty or unholy
- Peace loving not antagonistic
- Considerate not callous or uncaring
- Submissive not rebellious
- Full of mercy and good fruit not vengeful
- Impartial rather than showing favouritism
- Sincere not duplicitous
- It sows peace rather than discord
A prayer you might want to pray at the beginning of every day is found in Psalm 141:3. “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
