In chapter four of Bonhoeffer's Life Together, he dives into areas of ministry of the believer. However, unlike our modern Christian minds would assume, these areas are not the worship team, children's ministry, & work projects.
No, Bonhoeffer lists some areas of ministry that one might consider unusual: "The Ministry of Holding One's Tongue," "The Ministry of Listening," "The Ministry of Helpfulness," and others.
I found these discussions very refreshing and beneficial -both Biblical and very applicable.
One that struck me the most was that of "holding one's tongue."
I believe the book of James got it right when it speaks of the difficulty of controlling one's tongue. In fact, just today I was discussing with a non-Christian coworker about the destruction that gossip can do. We can hurt people with our actions, but it's much quicker to cut them down with our words, and many times it cuts deeper. Gossip, insults, lies, broken promises... the very mention of these words sinks my heart, as many others, I believe, can easily identify moments of being hurt by these.
The ministry of holding one's tongue is an interesting one because at first it appears to be an inaction rather than an action. It appears to be not doing something. But go one day while trying to control one's words, and you will realize how much action it physically requires.
The reason this one stuck out to me the most is because words hold a great weight for me. I would always rather write something than speak, because I value the time it takes to say exactly what is meant.
But people, Christians and non-Christians alike, do not always live by this (indeed, I do not always use my words for good). I find it fascinating that so many Christians criticize those who swear, and yet they're found gossiping or making racist slides themselves.
"Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" (James 3:11). If we cannot master our tongues, how can we be in service to the Lord?
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