Holding Our Tongue and Listen

As humans, our initial response to help and disciple others is thinking we need to do something. In actuality, some of the first steps we need to take would be not to say or do anything but to be there for someone and listen. As a result of the fall, sin has entered into the world where our pride becomes a ruling factor, where we start to think we can fix people’s problems because we think we know best. But, as Christians, we know that God is in control, and He is the one doing the work in the person, and He is the one doing the work in us. In holding our tongues, we obey God’s command in several ways. First, we are commanded not to gossip and speak poorly about our brothers and sisters since they are made in the image of God, and we have no right to judge other people. God brings justice, and we are no better than the next person. We must humble ourselves to hold our tongue, listen, and live by the forgiveness of our sins in Jesus Christ. We begin loving God by listening to His word; therefore, loving our brothers starts with listening to them. We must come to terms with and realize that not saying anything is more helpful and valuable than using our words. 

Helping Others Through Service and Proclaiming God’s Word

The following way we can disciple our brothers and sisters is through active helpfulness. In helping others, we must be ready for God to interrupt our lives so we can stop and serve others. We need to be open for God to arrange our schedule in our day-to-day and see where He leads. God orchestrates our lives for His glory, and allowing God to be in control is easier said than done. We are like Jonah, running in the opposite direction of where God is calling us to go because we are scared or think we know better. But God still found a way to see His Will be done. We are never too good to live out God’s mercy and love proclaiming God’s message to all people. In proclaiming to others, we can do this because we are speaking to fellow sinners who are all lost without Christ. The more we learn about God and His Word, the easier it is to freely speak to others about what we believe. It is not our own love to be faithful to others but God’s love that is breaking through for us to reach others. 

Where Can I Grow in This Area of Discipling Others? 

I am not near perfect in any way in each of these categories. I struggle to hold my tongue and listen to others. I love to give guidance and advice, which is not bad, but it can be controlling, thinking I know better than even having them pray to the Lord about what they are going through. God knows everything best, and I am still loving to my friends when I can just sit and listen to them talk through whatever they need. I also can become more confident in proclaiming God’s name to unbelievers. I can take a step in this process to be in God’s Word to equip myself frequently. Only by the grace of God can I speak truth and love into people’s lives for His glory.