Meddlers

TEXT:  1 Pet. 4:14-16

INTRODUCTION:

A.  THE TEXT MENTIONS A COMMON FAULT.

B.  SEVERAL FORMS OF SUCH IN THE BIBLE.

          1.  Rom. 1:30.  Whisperers, backbiters (Phil. 2:14-15).

          2.  1 Tim. 5:13.  Tattlers.

          3.  2 Thess 3:11.  Busybodies.

C.  WE NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THESE SINS.

I.  ALL FORMS OF GOSSIP ARE CONDEMNED.

A.  OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT (Lev. 19:16; Rom. 1:28-30;  2 Cor. 12:20).

B.  THE EFFECTS OF THESE SINS:

          1.  Separates chief friends (Prov. 16:27-28; 17:9;  18:6-8).

          2.  Stirs up anger (Prov. 25:23; 26:18-19).  ‘tain’t funny, McGee.”

          3.  Causes others to hate him (Prov. 20:19).

          4.  The malicious spirit of the talebearer (Prov. 26:20-28).

          5.  God’s anger (Prov. 6:16-19).

C.  THINK ON THESE THINGS:

          1.  Who wants to confide in one who may tell all.

          2.  You cannot build up yourself by tearing others down.

          3.  It doesn’t have to be untrue to be sin … just not our business.

D.  QUOTE OF THE DAY:  “Half the lies they tell about me are not true!”

II. MEDDLERS DO NOT ALWAYS GOSSIP.

A.  PAUL DEALS WITH THOSE WHO DON’T MIND THEIR OWN BUSINESS.

          1.  2 Thess 3:11.  Busybodies.  They are always snooping, demanding conformity.

                   They think they have a better way.

          2.  Often the result of boredom, more often of pride (Luke 18:9; Rom. 12:3).

          3.  Trend followers, typical of many today who think they are trend setter (Acts 17:21).

                   a.  Nothing else to do but to tell you.(1 Tim. 5:13).

                   b.  WORTHLESS (Psa. 123:4;  2 Tim. 2:16).

                   c.  In faith a tragic condition (Eph. 4:14;  Gal. 1:6-7;  3:1;  2 Cor. 11:3-4).

          4.  NOT NECESSARILY LIMITED TO FAITH MATTERS!

B.  MAN’S OBJECTION:  BUT WE ARE TO TAKE HEED.

          1.  The Bible teaches that (Gal. 6:1; Heb. 3:12-13).

          2.  There is a difference in “Taking Heed” and spying.

          3.  There is a difference in teaching and seeking to micromanage others.

          4.  There is a difference in meddling and intervening in regard to sin, and the wise and

godly man knows and can see it.

C.  PAUL’S SOLUTION (2 Thess. 3:11-12; 1 Thess 4:9-12).

          1.  Study to be quiet;  work with their hands, eat their own bread.”

          2.  The key è 1 Thess. 4:9-10.  Love of the brethren.

CONCLUSION:

A.  WE MUST LEARN TO CONTROL OUR TONGUES (James 3:2, 6).

B.  WE WILL BE JUDGED BY OUR SPEECH (Matt. 12:36-37; Eph. 4:29).

C.  LOVE YOUR BROTHER ENOUGH TO BE HELPFUL, AND NOT MEDDLE.