Earlier this week, Monieca and I ate dinner at Olive Garden. The food was good and we enjoyed our time together. However there was one thing I did not enjoy…the conversation of the people seated at the table next to us.

Their language was not vulgar and they were not arguing. They were nice to the restaurant’s staff and repeatedly said “thank you.” In fact, it was obvious from what they were saying that they were active members of a church.

So what was it about their conversation that bothered me? They were discussing in detail a conflict at their church. They mentioned names and described negative events.

We all discuss things that happen at church, as well as other events in life. That’s normal. What should not be normal is believers saying negative things about their church and other believers in public.

It was hard not to hear them, as the voice of one woman in particular was loud. Monieca and I were not the only people hearing their conversation. I don’t know if the others seated nearby were believers or not, but I do know that what was said would not encourage a lost person to go to church or have any interest in knowing Jesus.

I’ve often wondered why believers are not more aware of our surroundings when we say certain things. Rather than being a witness for Jesus to the lost in public, too many times our words in pubic settings are an embarrassment to the Kingdom of God and a hindrance to evangelism.

As I listened I remembered Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:36: “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.”

When talking about the church and other believers, especially in public, we would be wise to heed Colossians 4:6: “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt.”

Pastor Steve Hogg