Before You Empty the Tube

 There is an illustration that Children’s Ministry teachers use to help teach the importance of controlling their words. It begins with a child emptying a new tube of toothpaste onto a plate. Then the child is instructed to take the toothpaste on the plate and place it back into the tube. Also, the child must ensure the toothpaste container is how it was before. Finally, after a few moments of blank stares from the child, there is usually an attempt to help make it like it was before. Of course, this is a futile effort, and all we have left is a mushy pile of minty freshness and a child leaving in frustration. The point of the visual is this – once the toothpaste exits the container, it can never go back to how it was before.

The same is with our words; once something is said, we cannot take it back. This object lesson is typically in conjunction with what James, a leader in the early church, wrote in his letter about controlling the words we use (James 3:1-6). He warns that the words we use can cause damage or be a blessing to other people (v.9). Someone once told me to ask these three questions before I say anything: Does it need to be said? Does it need to be said now? Does it need to be said by you? Therefore, before you empty the tube (your words) – reflect on the wise words of James and these three questions.