Meddling Is Sin


At 1 Tim 5:13, there is a rebuke for those who are sinning by behaving like busybodies (ESV, NASB). The word for ‘busybodies’ is periergos. It means meddlers or those who are meddlesome. What is a meddler? As scholars have said, it is one who pays attention to things that do not concern them, busy themselves about the concerns of others, get into other people’s business, and are officious (or intrusive). This is why meddlesome behavior is described as prying into the private affairs of others, snooping in other’s affairs, being nosy or overly curious, and interfering. They are over-interested in the affairs of others, have undue or misdirected curiosity, and want to talk about things that are none of their business. 

Letting others intrusively tell us what to do in non-sinful areas is a sin. Meddlers are controllers, very ‘hands-on’ people concerning what should be our issues. Giving in to meddlers/controllers, rather than to our conscience, is people-pleasing (Gal 1:10). We are not to let others dictate to us, control us, or be lord of our conscience in such matters (Col 2:20-23, GW). They are meddling in our affairs. 

Intruding/meddling is overstepping. It is like a runner who enters the lane I am in or the field I was assigned to work. As a runner, they have no business being in my lane. It is wrong and disruptive. It should be called out with as much gentleness as the situation allows (Gal 6:1, NASB).  

On the other hand, it surely is not wrong to give another a message from the Lord even if that wasn’t requested. We are called to preach the gospel to others. Once they indicate they no longer want to listen, God will typically move us on to those who are open (Acts 18:4-6). Clearly, this is not meddling. This applies to other biblically-consistent messages to others. The apostle Paul, for instance, repeatedly, urgently, greatly, and earnestly urged Apollos to meet with the Corinthians (1 Cor 16:12, Weymouth with AB-1987, Williams, and NASB). Obviously, Paul was merely giving what he believed was good, though unsolicited, advice. Paul was not guilty of meddling. When Apollos opposed the idea, Paul let him live out his convictions on a non-sinful matter rather than abusing his apostolic authority to order him or keep pressing him to do it (1 Pet 5:3). 

Let us neither intrude into the affairs of others nor allow others to meddle into our affairs. Controlling people, who want to ‘help’ by having a hands-on approach in our life, will also be meddlesome. This is spiritually dangerous (1 Tim 5:13-15).



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