Do you find yourself in the company of a busybody? Are you tempted to participate in a little “harmless gossip” with the girls? Do you have an ungodly NEED to know and contribute to the conversations, choices, dilemmas, or private business being discussed about someone who is not present to represent or defend themselves against misinformation or malice? Or are you hyper aware of the destructive nature of gossip, but as hard as you try, cannot escape the company of tattlers, complainers, and busybodies who deem it their duty to include you in the know.
Sigh.
I think that as women, we have this built in to our genetic sin nature. Though I know a few men who fall into this pattern, by far, I know many more women who struggle with a critical spirit and sins of the tongue.
Remember the old days of rotary phones when you could dial “411” for information? I found the “411” information for meddlers and busybodies. Check it out!
1 Thessalonians 4:11 …aspire to live a tranquil life, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your [own] hands, as we instructed you
Now, doesn’t that sound simple? The NIV reads: “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life. You should mind your own business and work with your hands…”
I love that. Aren’t we prone to have certain ambitions in life? To make good money, have a family, and etc. I wonder what would happen in this society if we changed the priority of our ambitions, and started with making it our ambition to live a quiet life, minding our own business.
The next time you find yourself in the middle of a gossip fest, do this. Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, mind your own business…find something to do with your hands. Here’s a great idea for lent…a couple weeks late, maybe for the rest of lent this year or put it on your calendar for next year…give up tearing people down by gossiping and meddling…take up a productive hobby…knitting…or carpentry…or writing notes of encouragement to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Practice building up. Now that is ambition!
New Things 