The following is based on the article What Does the Bible Say about Being a Busybody? from Got Questions.
Is this any of my business? At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say. (1 Timothy 5:13)
Do I feel that God has given me the task of involving myself? For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
Am I qualified to involve myself in this? But you, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. (Romans 14:10)
Is my true motivation to bring help in love? If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. (1 Corinthians 13:1)
Am I confident I will not gossip about this? A gossip goes around revealing a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps confidence. (Proverbs 13:11)
Did I get a good result the last time I involved myself with this person’s problem? As a dog returns to its vomit, so also a fool repeats his foolishness. (Proverbs 26:11)
Has my opinion been sought by those involved? A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not his is like one who grabs a dog by the ears. (Proverbs 26:17)
Will I give good biblical advice? There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death. (Proverbs 16:25)
If you answer “no” to one or more of these questions, I may be best if you resist the temptation to insert yourself into another’s situation and instead pray for them from a distance.
