"Those who are careful about what they say protect their lives, but whoever speaks without thinking will be ruined." (NCV)
What is God saying?
Our words are very powerful, so we must be extremely mindful of how we use them.
What is God saying to us today?
In our modern culture, the pressure of always being politically correct has become burdensome for a lot of people. Some yearn for a time when we could just say what's on our minds without having to worry about processing our thoughts through a filter. Yet, such a time probably never existed, because our words have always had consequences. Many, if not all, of us have gotten in hot water at least once for saying something without thinking. When we speak without concern for others' feelings, we expose our self-centered nature. And while brash talk might get us some accolades in the short-term, in the long-run it erodes personal, professional, and spiritual success. This is why God offers us this wise counsel, because He wants us to succeed. And He knows that our ultimate success if found when we remain focused on the wants and needs of others - even in our speech.
What is God inviting us to do?
Have you stuck your foot in your mouth too many times? Have you damaged or destroyed your reputation, career, or personal relationships? God calls us to process our words by thinking of others first. And while that might take some time to retrain our brains, God invites us to do so, because He knows that it is for our own ultimate benefit.