Stay Out of the Dirt

Indeed, we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined and inappropriate life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies [meddling in other people’s business]. II Thessalonians 3:11 (Amplified Bible, AMP)

Human nature, the carnal man, loves to dig in the dirt of other people’s lives. In II Thessalonians 3, Paul was telling them that they needed to stay busy and stay out of other people’s business.

Now at the same time, they also learn to be idle as they go from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies [meddlers in things that do not concern them], talking about things they should not mention. I Timothy 5:13 (Amplified Bible, AMP)

This verse tells us what happens when people are busybodies. They draw others into their meddling ways, gossiping and talking about people. And this scripture says they speak of topics that should never be mentioned. In other words, their conversation crosses over into ungodly and carnal territory. That kind of talking is dangerous. Once a person speaks of something long enough, they begin to pursue the things they discuss. And those things eventually draw us away from the Lord.

The Word speaks a lot about gossips and backbiters.

Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Romans 1:29-31 (KJV) emphasis mine

This passage lists whisperers (gossips) and backbiters (those who speak badly of others behind their backs) in the same list as some really bad stuff- like fornication, wickedness, murder, hatred of God, to name a few. Sticking our noses (and running our mouths), where they don’t belong is considered serious by God.

The best way to keep ourselves clear of the temptation to be a busybody is to keep ourselves occupied with the things of God. That is what Paul mentioned in our first scripture- that the people doing these things were too idle because they were not working.

Instead of standing by the window wondering why the neighbor is getting home so late, we need to be in prayer for our entire neighborhoods. Instead of stalking people on social media to try to find out what scandalous thing happened to their spouse or children, we need to be pouring over scriptures about strong families and speaking them over our friends and acquaintances. When we spend our time seeking God and living for Him, these kind of activities will become less appealing.

We need to dig into the Word, rather than into other people’s affairs. When we avoid meddling and gossiping, we draw closer to God and we will draw othes to Him as well.