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They were out of my mouth before I even realized it … sharp, hurtful words that I should never have spoken.

I regretted those words as soon as they came out, but it was too late. No way to take them back. Some call them toothpaste words. Once they’re out of the tube, we can’t put them back inside. The damage is already done.

We teach our children to think before they speak, but somehow, when we get older, we don’t seem to think that rule applies to us anymore. It’s like we reach a certain age and think we can say whatever we please. But Proverbs has a different view: The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking.

In fact, chapter 15 of Proverbs has a lot to say about words:

• A soft answer turns away wrath.
   
• A wholesome tongue is a tree of life.
   
• The lips of the wise disperse knowledge.
   
• The words of the pure are pleasant.
   
• A person has joy by the answers of their mouth.

Words are powerful. They can build up or tear down. Hurt or heal. The choice is up to us.

The bottom line? Let’s be mindful of what we say and the effect our words have on others. Before squeezing out those toothpaste words, let’s put the cap back on and weigh our words carefully, only speaking what will edify and bring life.