Nobody Wants to Be a Busybody!

So what does it mean to be a busybody? My definition is getting involved in something that you are not invited to.

I know that sometimes there can be a fine line between trying to help people that you see require help, but it you are not invited, then you have to ask yourself “why do l want to get involved”?.  The best option that anyone can do is to pray. If there is a problem that you know that you can help, but you are not invited, then simply pray.

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I looked up the definition of busybody online and this is one definition that what l came up with “Busybodies are known for trying to help with situations in which they're not necessarily welcome or needed”. Oops!

We do need to be careful.

Before getting involved in something ask yourself these questions.

• Is it my jurisdiction?
• Do l have any influence in that person’s life?
• Have l been invited to give advice?
• Do l have responsibility for the person?

These are just a few questions amongst many.

Remember that if you ever feel like helping someone or a situation that you have not been invited to, you can always pray. Pray that the Lord will bring the right person into their life that they will listen to and receive.

Now let’s look at scripture. What does the bible have to say?
1 Peter 4; 14- 15
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
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.

So the bible makes it clear that when a person is not invited into a situation or matter, they can end up being a “busybody” and get into trouble. If you notice the warning goes alongside those that suffer as a murderer, thief or an evildoer. Therefore being a “busybody” can have severe consequences.

There is another scripture that we can have a look at. While it does not necessarily use the word “busybody” the same principle can be found.
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.
 
We need to be careful and only get involved with what we have been invited into, or if we have responsibility in some way to the person or situation. Otherwise the remedy is to pray!.
 
Bisi Oladipupo  

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