What Were You Talking About

Bible Readings... Luke 12
Highlighted Verse... Luke 12:2-3 - There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.
Thoughts... Nothing surprising here from a conceptual perspective, there are a significant number of scriptural references wherein Pharisees or others in Jesus' presence are talking amongst themselves in a manner so as to hide the conversation from Jesus only to discover that Jesus knew exactly what they were saying. In practice there are some interesting and scary possibilities if we apply this same teaching to ourselves.
How it impressed me... Generally speaking, I find that the people that make up the church we attend to be wonderful Christians -- sins and all. However, upon reading this passage the image that crossed through my mind was this:

What if one Sunday, Jesus replayed all of the conversations whispered between spouses, amongst the youth, and between friends that had occurred just during the current service over the loudspeakers right before the alter call. How Christian would that sound? How many individuals would be openly embarrassed? How many would never return? How does God feel each day as he hears us?

My response to God... Merciful God, please forgive me for my words and thoughts that fail to lift others up, that inflict hurt and pain, or that do not edify you. Instead Lord, help me to focus on whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— [to] think about such things (Phillipians 4:8) that I may lift your name and give you honor and glory through my thoughts and speech.