"Ay, yai, yai! Look at this verse!"
"But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evil doer or as a meddler" (1 Peter 4:15 ESV).
Do you see that? A meddler is on par with a murderer, thief and an evil doer!
Meddling in others' affairs is a very serious offense and sin to God by the looks of it. If ones suffering is from meddling, then it appears to be a 'just reward.'
Most of us have likely been at the brunt of meddling. "Curiosity killed the cat," and the 'cats' have few inhibitions. They come to you asking all manner of personal questions. It can be very annoying, upsetting and make one feel angry. The hasty tongue may well be employed but for the grace of God and Holy Spirit's conviction to reign in our own tongues.
It's best to tread the fine line between genuine concern and outright meddling with great sensitivity even in a good friend's business. Even if one has good intentions, the intrusion may not be welcome. As a follower of Jesus Christ we have Holy Spirit to guide us as to what to ask, how to ask it and when to ask it. What's more, we can ask the Lord for His wisdom and discernemnt. We can also examine ourselves as to our own motives in "wanting to know".
We will not gain any medal for perceived meddling! If we live idle lives we may well end up,
"meddling in other peoples' business" (see 2 Thessalonians 3:11 NLT).
So let's be on our guard that we don't do this to other people.
It's amusing what Deborah Smith Pegues commented about in her book 30 Days to Taming the Tongue. She mentioned that another person said,
"... one reason why people who mind their own business are successful is that they have so little competition" (Day 11, p. 54).
Lord, help me to only be interested in another's business when You guide me to help in valid ways. I would genuinely like to reach out with a sincere helping hand. I'm sorry for the times I was a busybody and meddled. May I have the right motivation and not for some selfish gain, rather to further Your Kingdom and/or nurture all especially those of the household of faith. In Your name Lord Jesus I ask. Amen.
~ ERC May 2025 ~
Based on 1 Peter 4:15 (ESV) and loosely on 30 Days to Taming YOUR Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues.
Sing, Living Waters, along with Keith and Kristyn Gettty.
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