Online Articles
Minding Your Business
Minding Your Business
Bill Lambert
One of the greatest problems with some people is their inability to keep out of the business of others. Some feel able to assess every situation regarding others and then proceed to pronounce judgment concerning it. In most cases, they do not have all the facts. Many times their misinformation generates from innuendo and supposition.
When Paul was in Jerusalem, the Jews tried to build a case against him based upon supposition. They accused him of polluting the temple by bringing a Gentile into it. They cried out, “Men of Israel, help: This is the man that teaches all men everywhere against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place. (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus, an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)” (Acts 21:28, 29) They did not see Paul bring Trophimus into the temple, but merely supposed he had because they had seen them together in the city.
These people who bring judgment upon others are seldom willing to approach the ones they accuse in the presence of those whom they think ought to discipline the “guilty” party. Such is at least ungracious, and may even be dishonest.
Note the company the busybody keeps. “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” (1 Pet 4:15). The busybody may claim that he is “just trying to help,” and he does not see himself for what he is. He stirs up strife, and faithful people should not give him any audience.
Note this from Solomon: “He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a gossip” (Prov 20:19 NAS).
