Meddlers

"If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler ("busybody in other men's matters" - KJV)." (I Peter 4: 15 NIV)

The sin of "meddling"! An ancient sin but one that is still common in today's world! What does it mean to "meddle"? In the above verse there is a single Greek word that the NIV translates into a single English word, "meddler," while the KJV translates the word into a phrase, "busybody in other men's matters." Here are other verses that speak of being a "busybody."

"For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies." (II Thessalonians 3: 11 KJV)

"And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not." (I Timothy 5: 13 KJV)

The word "busybody" is defined by Strong - "to bustle about uselessly, to busy one's self about trifling, needless, useless matters," or to "busy about trifles and (be) neglectful of important matters."

It is also "used apparently of a person officiously inquisitive about other's affairs" or someone "especially busy about other folks' affairs, a busybody."

We would call these people today "nosy." They are people who pry into the hidden affairs of others, without invitation, being intrusive people who thrive on "gossip."

The word "meddle" means "to interest oneself in what is not one's concern," or to "interfere without right or propriety." Thus, such people may also be called "insinuators."

To "insinuate" means "to introduce or otherwise convey (a thought, for example) gradually and insidiously."

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you." (I Thessalonians 4: 11 NIV)

There is so much wisdom to be gained in heeding the wise teaching of all these verses! Oh how many have erred in this area of "ambition"!

People make it their ambition to become rich and famous, or to indulge the flesh and every carnal desire, but how many make it their ambition to live a quiet, unassuming life, away from the "hustle and bustle" of the world? Very few! And yet, this is where true peace and contentment lies.

Christians are people that ought to be leaders and examples in how to live this kind of life. They ought not to be guilty of being meddlers, and busybodies, and evil insinuators into the affairs of others. Christians are people who ought to show others how to "mind their own business," how not to be "nosy."

"Then he said to him, "Follow me!" Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is going to betray you?") When Peter saw him, he asked, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me." (John 21: 19-22 NIV)

Peter was being nosy and prying into the business of his Master regarding the Master's plans concerning John the Apostle. Jesus basically told him that he 1) ought to mind his own business, 2) to be concerned about his own following, not the following of John, and 3) to not meddle, and 4) not to have evil ambition.

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?" (I Corinthians 5: 12 NIV)

From these words of Paul it is clear that Paul's habit was to stay out of affairs that were of no concern to him, to not interfere in private matters, or in trifling concerns. He probably was better at this than Peter, as the above words of each indicate.

People are meddlers in lots of ways, but chiefly when they meddle in the private affairs of deity, when they try to go beyond what is written.

"The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law." (Deuteronomy 29: 29 KJV)

"Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind." (Colossians 2: 18 NIV)

The word "intruding" is of singular occurence in the scriptures, and according to Strong, means "to invade," and "to make hostile incursion into."

We ought not to intrude into the affairs of others, nor of the private affairs of God. We ought not to be nosy, nor evil pryers and insinuators.

"My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me." (Psalm 131: 1 KJV)

Is that not the height of arrogant "meddling"?

The opposite of "meddling" is to "avoid" certain things.

"Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly." (II Timothy 2: 16 NIV)

"It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel." (Proverbs 20: 3 NIV)

"A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much." (Proverbs 20: 19 NIV)

"But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless." (Titus 3: 9 NIV)

Here are things to "leave alone" and to strictly "avoid" and to "pass by." Here are things to "keep our noses out of"! Here are things not to make our business and our concern!

"He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips." (Proverbs 20: 19 KJV)

Can we avoid, and not "meddle with" the liar, the flatterer and deceiver? Can we only associate with people who mind their own businesses, and who do not interfere in what does not conern them?

"My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change." (Proverbs 24: 21 KJV)

Oh that our world could ever be mindful of the wisdom of God in this one proverb! People today are "given to" or "addicted" to "change," whether it be good or bad! People today are bored! They are idle! They occupy themselves in things that do not profit them.

"For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing." (Acts 17: 21 KJV)

Are we not like them today? Do we not "spend our time" in "godless chatter," the thing Paul forbad us to engage in as Christians?

"He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears." (Proverbs 26: 17 KJV)

Oh the scars and wounds that many have from having taken a wild dog by the ears! Of those who have been in a "dog fight"! Those who meddle in private affairs, in the family and domestic matters of others, are people who are surely going to get severely scarred and wounded!

"The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with." (Proverbs 17: 14 KJV)

So many things to avoid and not to meddle with! God help us to have the wisdom to understand these wise sayings and to obey them, for we will surely save ourselves many hurts in this life, and find the key to eternal life.

Friend, are you a meddler? If so, may God forgive you and give you grace to repent of this awful sinful malady!