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How about meddling?


Introduction. The Bible is God's expressed will to and for man (Heb. 1: 1, 2; 2 Tim. 3: 16, 17). The Bible reveals God to us, how man can be saved, and how man is to live (Acts 17: 22-31; 2: 14-41; Tit. 2: 11-14). The Bible also instructs man as to how he is to live relative to his fellow man.

Man's duties to man. Man is to help those in need, as he has the ability and the opportunity (Eph. 4: 28; 1 John 3: 17, 18). The extent of man's duties toward others is seen in Jesus' teaching regarding our enemies: "Love your enemies," said Jesus, "bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matt. 5: 44). Man's ultimate responsibility is to "...love thy neighbor as thyself" and "therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them" (Matt. 22: 39; 7: 12).

The Bible forbids certain actions and conduct that adversely affect others. "Lie not one to another" and "avenge not yourselves" are forbidden (Col. 3: 8; Rom. 12: 19). The tongue is one of the greatest instruments for good and evil known to man (Jas. 3). In "speaking evil of others," lives can be ruined (Jas. 4: 11). Gossip, slander, and meddling are too common in human relationships. Paul wrote, "and withal they learn to be idle, wondering about from house to house, and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not" (1 Tim. 5: 13). Meddling is a common problem in the work place, society, and in local churches.

The prevention for meddling is, "study to be quiet, and to do your own business" (1 Thes. 4: 11). If we will busy ourselves in taking care of our own duties, we will not usually have time to meddle in the affairs of others. When meddling is present, so also are gossip and other sins of the tongue.
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