Walking with the Wise #489: Mind Your Own Business

“Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own


is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.”
—Proverbs 26:17

With the invention of the Internet and the proliferation of the paparazzi we now have unfettered access into the lives of people in a way never before known in history. We have become technological voyeurs that are able to look into the sometimes perverse workings of everyday people, but especially that of celebrities. Such access opens up a Pandora’s box of cultural machinations that are impossible to navigate easily. We have started to believe that the possession of such knowledge is not only good, but a fundamental right that we have. Having unfiltered knowledge is not always good (cf. Genesis 2:17; 3:22). In fact, having knowledge doesn’t mean that one has the wisdom to know how to use it properly. Having knowledge without wisdom is like having nitroglycerin without the proper instructions in how to use it or take care of it. It’s a disaster waiting to happen.

One of the unintended consequences of unchecked voyeurism is the belief that we can participate in the lives of others—giving direction, offering advice, and generally offering our opinion without being solicited to do so. Meddling in the lives of others, participating in fights that are not our own—is not wise, but foolish. Like grabbing any dog we pass on the street by the ears. We are going to get bit, and it's going to hurt really bad.

It is better that we follow the words of Paul who said,

“But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one”—1 Thessalonians 4:10-12.

We are to aspire to live quietly and mind our own affairs. In other words, we are to mind our own business and do what we are supposed to do. Don’t get wrapped up in the affairs of others without being asked, and even when you are, be discerning so that you might not be caught up in something that you can’t help alleviate.

Rely on the Spirit of God to direct you as He helps bring the Word of God to bear upon each situation you face so that He might lead you in a path that is pleasing and glorifying to Him. Amen.