Daily Devotional April 28 - Busubody

"1Pe_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."

I know that we all get the idea of not being a murderer, thief, evil doer, but busybody in other men's affairs?

I think it interesting that Peter lumps the busybody in with the murderer or thief. Is it just because it is a sin and all sin is equal in the eyes of God?
Or is it that Peter knows something about being a busybody, knowing a thing about someone and having told others.  Maybe he has seen the results of someone passing on unnecessary or even invalid information. Maybe he did that himself and thinks it worthy from personal experience to mention it.

One thing you can always trust about the scriptures is that not one word is frivolous or insignificant or unnecessary. Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit discusses this most important matter because it negatively affects others, sometimes in irreversible ways. Much of what is said on TV is by those who just run their mouth but don't have a clue what they are talking about. Take all those people off the air and there wouldn't be much to watch. It is not uncommon even for reporters to report what someone else reported without checking sources or verifying the information. And much of what is reported is speculation not supported by fact.

Is that what we have become as a society? Busybodies? You would think that Christian men and women would have risen up and grown beyond such an indictment. But that is not the case. Much pain is brought on by the ignorance of someone who has to run their mouth about someone when they aren't sure about the content or in many cases don't even know the person. It is disgraceful. But just the same even if you know something about someone that reveals a shaded past or mistakes that they made, is it necessary to tell the world? Quite often things that people did in their youth, they currently detest or maybe they have reconciled to someone or paid their debt to society. either way God is judge, not you.

I think Peter is on to something. God let Peter write this about busybodies. Isn't this extremely important in the current know everything about everybody, techno trend we are in? Not everything that is on the internet is true. Furthermore what is your motive for having to know everything or spilling the beans on someone or talking behind your pastor's back or sniveling about nothing to anyone who will tolerate you?

There's not much good that can be said about a busybody. The fact that Peter lumps them in with murderers, thieves and evil doers should be warning enough to keep your comments to yourself.