Surprisingly, this phrase dates back to the 16th century and was originally used in reference to the theater. Actors were expected to pay attention to the mood of the audience as they delivered their lines.

Thieves also used the concept in the 1800s and early 1900s. They had to scan a room to identify their next victim or determine whom to avoid. By the 1970s, public speakers used the phrase to describe gauging an audience’s willingness to listen. By the 1990s, it had become a core leadership skill for business professionals who needed to read nonverbal cues during presentations.

It is this last use that I often share with people who want to tell others about Jesus. One of the keys to sharing your faith effectively is learning to “read the room.” You need to recognize when someone has opened the door for a spiritual conversation and when their body language says they are finished listening.

Sadly, I learned this lesson by making plenty of mistakes. There were times I stayed silent when I should have spoken, and other times I kept talking long after the other person had stopped listening. I have made just about every mistake a person can make when sharing their faith, and I try to use those experiences to help others. My biggest piece of advice is simple: read the room.

When you understand your audience and how they are receiving what you are saying, you will know when to continue and when to stop. Speaking for Jesus is not about saying everything I want to say; it is about helping someone hear what they need to hear. Once they stop listening, continuing to talk can undo much of the goodwill you have built.

This fall, our Church is asking people to share their story with at least three people in their lives. I am praying that many will take that step. But they will need to be “as wise as serpents” as they speak, or their words may fall on deaf ears.