Thought for the Day – Day 27 – The Busybody

I have known a few men and women (more women then men) in my life who are constantly in other people’s business. They have too much time on their hands and, therefore, find themselves in search of anything of “interest” outside their home. It’s rare that the town or church gossip is a man – sadly, they are mostly women 😦

The word has a few verses that deal with busybodies – some are quite convicting! Sadly, the busybody who reads this will not see herself. The busybody thinks they are doing justice by exposing truth. However, their tales are usually a little fact and a whole lot of lies.

Proverbs tells us that the busybody is a fool. She loves to meddle in another’s affairs; passing judgment.

~Proverbs 20:3 It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.

As I said earlier, the busybody has too much time on her hands and not enough work. It’s ironic that the word busybody is the word used to define a meddler, isn’t it? The meddler is not a “busy body” – in fact, she’s not busy working at all! Unless one considers busy in other people’s private affairs “work.”

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

~I Timothy 5:13 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.

She is a “master meddler” and loves to spread tales and lies. It’s as if she thrives on this! She’s not happy unless she knows everything that’s going on around her.

~I Timothy 5:13 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.

But the word says that these busybodies will bring shame and harm to herself and her family. Eventually, her meddling will catch up to her and she will reap what she has sown. Churches should deal swiftly with busybodies or they will reap a whirlwind for sure.

~II Kings 14:10 Thou hast indeed smitten Edom, and thine heart hath lifted thee up: glory of this, and tarry at home: for why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee?

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

I found it interesting that the Apostle Peter categorized a busybody along with murderers, thieves and evil doers! It’s a serious matter and should not be looked upon lightly.

~I Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

Christians should not be busybodies. What are we teaching our children? They become what they witness on a daily basis. 😦 Paul gives us a cure for this horrible sin:

~I Timothy 5:14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.

With today’s technology, however, a woman doesn’t have to leave home to go spread tales. She can pick up the phone, she can tweet it or send an email. One never sins alone. When a woman gossips to another, she has given the adversary a reason to speak reproachfully. How very sad. A Christian woman ought not to be a busybody. Instead, her words should be few and well thought out.

~Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.