Busybodies

Engagement

    Do you remember Mrs. Kravitz from the show ‘Bewitched’? She was always being nosy and came off looking crazy when she could not prove the incredible things that she had seen. A hilarious trope that is used very often in sitcoms to make fun of the person who just can’t seem to mind their own business. However, in our day the internet, social media, and the 24/7 news cycle has turned most of us into our own virtual version of Mrs. Kravitz, just without the rollers in our hair. 

    Part of the problem stems from having so much information. Historically, most news that had traveled for some distance was so old and remote that it was completely unactionable. On the other hand if something happens near you in time and space then it was probably reasonable for you to respond appropriately. But today we are bombarded by so much information that seems actionable, but is actually completely outside of our control. Online platforms have given us the appearance of influence. So often we assume that even if our opinion isn’t wanted it is needed. 

    The essential problem that we are dealing with is that in our desire to not feel helpless with the onslaught of issues we respond to everything that we perceive to be a problem happening around us. I am not arguing that we should not be proactive in dealing with real problems in our genuine sphere of influence. Nor am I meaning that we should be unwilling to call out sin and false teaching when necessary. But most of us could use a healthy dose of faith filled optimism and a reorientation of our priorities.

Wealth

Everyday there will be someone that has something wrong on the internet. If we let ourselves become the all time truth police, we will always be denouncing something that has happened culturally or that has been proclaimed doctrinally. Of the abundance of problems there is no end. Never before has there been an opportunity for us to be so well informed about things that have nothing to do with us. 

We are much like the Athenians in the first century because we spend all of our time listening for something new (Acts 17:21). They were gluttonous in their appetite for the fleshly stimulation of philosophy and controversy. As extreme as Luke makes their cultural circumstance sound, I cannot imagine that ours is not many times worse given the technological advances that not only allow us access to this intoxicating feast but also the addictive nature of our devices.

This is especially a problem when believers exhibit this kind of behavior because we ought to be so fulfilled in Christ, so joyful in the Spirit, and so reverent of our Father that we should not be constantly drawn away by these lesser things. Instead of being pessimistic naysayers, why aren’t we the happy proclaimers of the good news that can actually save and transform the world and culture? Of course, the proclamation of the gospel includes the bad news and I, in no way, mean to say that we should sweeten or soften the message but we must proclaim Christ with either tearfilled eyes or happy smiles, but not angry and bitter growls.

Mind Set

So, you may be saying that I am a hypocrite. After all, aren’t I doing the very thing that I am warning against just by warning you against something? Maybe. So let me shift to give you some practical things that we can do to be more optimistic and hopeful.

First, we ought to heed the warning from scripture to not be busybodies. The Apostle Paul tells the Thessalonians that they must watch out for idleness because it breeds this kind of fruitless curiosity. We must keep active and busy in seeking to glorify the Lord. Paul also instructs them to not get tired in doing the good things that God has given them to do (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15). I am sure that there are plenty of opportunities around my life and family to keep me busy and out of the business of other folks (Ecclesiastes 9:7-10). Paul also tells Timothy to warn those who have fallen into the serious sin of gossip and have become the stereotypical busybody (1 Timothy 5:11-13).

Second, we must set our minds on better things. Those things which accompany salvation and that adorn the gospel. We ought to be focusing our minds on the grace and beauty of our great God and His awesome salvation. Our minds should be set on the things above where Jesus is seated at the right hand of God (Colossians 3:1-4). Brothers and Sisters isn’t it better to let our minds linger on those things which are pure, lovely, honorable, true, just, commendable, and excellent (Philippians 4:8-9). Paul says that with this focus comes the very promise of the peace of God.

Finally, I would encourage all of us to turn attention off of the things happen in exotic places (i.e. Kentucky) and the people we don’t even know and instead focus on loving and edifying the brothers and sisters in our local church. We need to be seeking to share Christ with the lost people in our own communities. We must be not only content but happy to serve God where He has planted us and among whom He has placed us!

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