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🕊️ Bible Study: Busybodies in the Light of Scripture (KJV)
By Pastor Joel – Open Heaven Christian Church – Fisher, Arkansas
📖 Introduction
The Word of God has much to say about “busybodies.” A busybody is someone who meddles in the affairs of others, involving themselves in matters that do not concern them. This spirit of meddling is destructive, divisive, and contrary to the godly life of peace and humility that Jesus calls His followers to live. Instead of being diligent in their own calling, busybodies are preoccupied with gossip, judgment, and unnecessary interference.
Let us look deeply into the Scriptures to understand what the Bible teaches about busybodies, their dangers, and how believers are called to live instead.
1️⃣ Busybodies Defined in Scripture
The Bible uses the word “busybody” to describe one who meddles in matters that are not their own.
📖 1 Peter 4:15
“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.”
➡️ Notice that the busybody is listed alongside murderers, thieves, and evildoers. This shows how seriously God views this sin. Meddling in others’ matters is not harmless—it brings strife, confusion, and disunity.
2️⃣ Busybodies and Idleness
Often, busybodies are linked to idleness. Instead of minding their own responsibilities, they spend their time prying into others’ lives.
📖 2 Thessalonians 3:11-12
“For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.”
➡️ The cure for being a busybody is diligence—working quietly, minding your own responsibilities, and providing for your own needs. A busybody thrives when idle, but diligence chokes out that tendency. God “commands” all believers to not become an idle busybody.
3️⃣ Busybodies and Gossip
Busybodies often express themselves through gossip and idle talk. Idle conversation is actually sin and gives place to the devil who uses spoken words to cause confusion.
Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
Look at what Jesus said about “Idle Conversations – IDLE WORDS THAT ARE SPOKEN“…
Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Look what idle conversation can lead to…
📖 1 Timothy 5:13
“And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.”
➡️ The apostle Paul warns especially of those who go about spreading gossip, “speaking things which they ought not.” This not only wastes time but also damages reputations and relationships.
4️⃣ The Call and Command in Scripture to Mind Our Own Business
The Bible does not only condemn busybodies but also gives us the opposite command: to mind our own work and live quietly. The scriptures actually teach that as followers of Jesus one must “study to be quiet, and to do your own business” – To do your own business means to mind your own business and quit meddling in the life of others for this is ungodly.
The Lord expects all believers to focus on what God wants for their life, but if they are too busy focusing on the life of others, they are distracted from what God wants to accomplish in thier life and their life becomes disoriented because their priorities in life are wrong. If one ignores this command from the Lord found in scripture, they will always have dramma and all kinds of evil working in their life.
📖 1 Thessalonians 4:11
“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.”
➡️ Instead of meddling in other people’s matters, God’s people are called to live peacefully, responsibly, and productively. This lifestyle brings honor to God and respect from others.
5️⃣ Busybodies in the Church
Busybodies are especially dangerous in the church, where they can stir up strife, spread division, and hinder the work of God. This behavior is not from God, but the devil.
📖 Proverbs 26:20
“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.”
➡️ A busybody acts like wood on a fire—fueling strife and conflict. If gossip and meddling are removed, peace and unity return.
6️⃣ A Better Example – Jesus’ Focused Life
Jesus never wasted time in meddling or gossiping. He was always about His Father’s business.
📖 Luke 2:49
“And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”
➡️ Instead of being busy in other people’s affairs, we are called to be “busy” in the things of God—prayer, serving, loving, and spreading the gospel.
7️⃣ Practical Steps to Overcome Being a Busybody
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Examine your own life first – 📖 Matthew 7:3 “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”
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Stay diligent in your own work – avoid idleness.
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Guard your tongue – speak only what edifies and builds others up.
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Pursue peace – don’t fuel gossip, stop it when you hear it.
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Mind your own business and be about the Father’s business – focus on kingdom work, not gossip or meddling in others personal business.
- In scripture we learn that Peter asked the Lord about John and the Lord told Peter to focus on his own life. Peter was meddling in the life of John and Jesus corrects him and tells Peter to focus on following Jesus.
“Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.” John 21:21-22
📌 Conclusion
The Scriptures are clear: being a busybody is a serious sin that destroys peace, stirs division, and distracts from God’s will. God calls His children to live quiet, diligent, and holy lives—minding our own work, controlling our tongues, and being about the Father’s business.
📖 Proverbs 11:13
“A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.”
Let us choose to be of a faithful spirit—not busybodies, but faithful servants of Christ.
If you have allowed yourself to become a busybody, pray the following prayer and seek the Lord for guidance to help you to focus on what God has planned for your life.
PRAYER:
Father God I come before you and ask you to forgive me from becoming a busybody, I confess to you Lord that I have given place to the devil and have become a busybody. I ask for your forgiveness of idle conversations that have created confusion in my life and in the life of others, forgive me of prying in other people’s life and not focusing on the abundant life that you desire to give me as you stated in John 10:10. Lord Jesus I ask you to teach me how to mind my own business and teach me how to work with my own hands so that my life will be pleasing to you. I now shift my focus to the study of your word, prayer, and learning to be quiet and speak only the words the Father would have me to speak as you Lord Jesus did when I read John 12:49 so that on the day of judgment I will not be found guilty of being a busybody who speaks idle words, but my life will be one that has pleased you in both words and deed. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus Christ my LORD. – Amen.
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