Definitions: Meddling means busying oneself unduly in the matters of others; butting in; interfering. A busybody is one who meddles in the affairs of others and gossips about it.
1. The Lord forbids meddling in the affairs of others.
* Leviticus 19:16a Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people.
* 1 Thessalonians 4:11 [Mind your own business!] Study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.
* 1 Peter 4:15 But let none of you suffer as a … busybody in other men’s matters.
2. Meddling and busybodyness characterize the foolish.
* Proverbs 20:3b Every fool will be meddling.
* Proverbs 29:11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.
* Ecclesiastes 10:12b-14a The lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness. 14a A fool also is full of words.
3. Meddlers and busybodies invariably cause greater troubles than they supposedly seek to undo.
* 2 Kings 14:10b Why shouldest thou meddle to thy hurt?
* Proverbs 17:14 The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water [urinates]: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
* 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.
4. Pride and a “know it all” attitude are often at the root of meddling, which can lead to contention.
* Psalm 131:1 [Meddlers don’t follow King David’s wise example:] Lord, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me.
* Proverbs 13:10a Only by pride cometh contention.
* Proverbs 26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
* Philippians 2:3a Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory.
5. Since meddling and busybodyness often stem from idleness, the solution is to keep busy with what the Lord has given us to do.
* 1 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.
* Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
* Proverbs 14:23 In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury [poverty].
* Proverbs 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.
* 2 Thessalonians 3:11,12 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
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