What is a Busybody
Let us begin with a frightening truth. Did you know
that if you’re a busybody then you are against Jesus?
So it’s a good idea to find out what a busybody is. Let us
seek the answer within the Bible ...
Anyone who volunteers their services (usually opinions)
where they are neither asked nor needed ... They are
meddlesome, intrusive, obtrusive, tactless, prying,
annoying, exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing
interest or curiosity or in offering advice, offering
unwelcome attention, they are offensive, interfering, and/or
inappropriately inquisitive.
That’s quite a busybody meaning list!
Note: You don’t have to employ everything in the list above
to be a busybody. Just one trait is enough to qualify you.
Also, being a busybody may not be a hat that a person wears
all the time ... But, like any other temptation in life, and
especially because there is no financial burden involved, it
can become something that grows into a big old nasty weed if
you don’t do something about it.
You may have thought that being a busybody
was just being nosey, but apparently there are a few more
characteristics that fall into the busybody
character than you might have suspected. Let’s take a look
at these busybody meaning traits up close,
so that just in case you have a tendency to
practice one of these rascals, you can sort of red flag it
in your subconscious mind and it will help you to remember
that it’s not a redeeming Christian quality.
Busybody Meaning Explained
Traits of a Busybody in the Bible Truth
*******
Crybaby?
We don’t tickle ears here, but if you want the truth ...
Just remember these two Proverbs when you feel offended if any of
the things in this study pertain to you:
Proverbs 27:6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of
an enemy are deceitful.
Proverbs 28:23
He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more
favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.
*******
Shall we begin?
* A busybody
is one who volunteers their services (usually opinions)
where they are neither asked nor needed.
It may seem like a joking matter, but a lot of times we
influence other people when we impulsively blurt out our
opinions. Many times we may interject a comment because we
want to be humorous, cuz people just love people that are
funny y’know.
Busybody Meaning Facts
Traits of a Busybody in the Bible Concern
But how often do we do this without carefully
thinking or praying about it first? That doesn’t mean that
we should pray before every sentence we speak, but always
discern whether the topic you’re speaking about is any of
your business and equally as important ... Be sure that what
you say isn’t just to be funny, to gain attention for
yourself, or to be provocative, without considering that
your comments could be the source of a person’s choice about
an important matter in their life. Above all, make certain
that what you have to say, won’t hurt anyone else.
Does this mean that you should weigh every single word you say? Golly
gee, that seems extreme ... Or does it? How many times have
terrible things happened because of something you said ...
And you didn’t really mean it? Maybe you were just horsing
around or teasing someone, but the result was disastrous.
Being a responsible Christian does mean that you should
consider that your actions affect others.
The Busybody meaning Bible study on the traits of a busybody
in the Bible shows us that it is a responsibility. It’s
part of the commandment to love one another that Jesus taught
over and over again in the Gospel.
Throughout this study, you’re about to read many Proverbs
that Solomon wrote concerning this very thing.
Does this mean that you can’t be as funny or clown around or attract
the attention you used to? Well, I don’t know about that,
but it does mean that you can begin to save yourself the
regret for saying things that you didn’t mean to harm,
things that adversely affect others, and you can instead
walk the way Jesus taught us to walk. If that’s too much
responsibility, and it cramps your style ...
You’re a busybody!
Busybody Meaning Warning
Traits of a Busybody in the Bible Danger
* A busybody is someone who is meddlesome.
There’s a
word that we don’t use very frequently ... Meddlesome ...
Even though many of us are meddling more often than we
realize. Meddling is to interfere or intrude in someone
else’s business. This is a little different than
volunteering your opinion, in the sense that meddling is a
little more forceful than just offering an uninvited
opinion.
Proverbs 26:17
He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging
not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
Proverbs 20:3
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but
every fool will be meddling.
No doubt about it, if you meddle in
someone else’s business ... You’re lookin’ for trouble ...
And if you’re not lookin’ for it, you’re gonna find it
anyway!
* A busybody is intrusive.
That means unwelcome. In most cases,
people are usually welcome, but it’s their busybody qualities that
aren’t invited to crash the party. Remember what we have learned
in this Busybody meaning Bible study. The next time you feel
the urge to be intrusive ... Putting your two cents in where
it doesn’t belong, keep it to yourself. You’ll find that you
won’t have to go home and pull your foot out of your mouth
quite as often. How many times do we not recognize until
it’s too late, that we’ve spoken when we shouldn’t have, and
felt that embarrassing need to apologize later? We can all
do without that. It also saves embarrassment to the person
you apologize to, because many times, it’s embarrassing to
respond to an apology. (I mean, what’s a person to say after
you say you’re sorry, “Yeah, that was pretty stupid of
you!”)
Busybody Meaning Examined
Traits of a Busybody in the Bible Trouble
Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted
wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man
of understanding.
* A busybody is obtrusive.
What’s the difference between intrusive
and obtrusive? To be obtrusive is to be pushy and
persistent. A busybody is
someone who tends to force their opinion on others. If you
can’t rest because you feel like others just have to see
your point of view or share the same opinion as you ...
You’re being a busybody. If we
could keep busy minds (reflecting on what Jesus would do in
situations where our opinion differs from another’s),
instead of keeping busy bodies (carnal instincts to involve
ourselves in what isn’t our business), we’d be walking
closer to the way that our Lord taught us.
1 Peter 4:15-16
13 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.
16 Yet if any man suffer as a
Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify
God on this behalf.
* A busybody is tactless.
Busybodies have no sense of what to do or say in order to maintain good
relations with others or avoid offense. They are
inconsiderate. Frankly ... They just plain have no class.
There’s so much to be said about not saying so much:
Proverbs 29:20
Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is
more hope of a fool than of him.
Ecclesiastes 5:3
... a fool’s voice is known by multitude of words.
Sin is plentiful where there is a lot of
talk ... It’s smart to keep quiet:
Proverbs 10:19
in the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but
he that refraineth his lips is wise.
Whoever coined the phrase “Keep your trap
shut” was indeed a wise person, because, as James teaches,
the tongue is in fact a trap of the worst kind ...
Busybody Meaning Interpretted
Traits of a Busybody in the Bible Warning
James, Chapter 3
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we
shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many
things we offend all. If any man offend not in word,
the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the
whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths,
that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole
body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so
great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they
turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the
governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little
member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a
matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a
fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our
members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth
on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of
hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of
serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath
been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame;
it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
9 Therewith
bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we
men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out
of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My
brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a
fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and
bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive
berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both
yield salt water and fresh.
13 Who is a wise man and
endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a
good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your
hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This
wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly,
sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is,
there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom
that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and
good fruits, without partiality, and without
hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in
peace of them that make peace.
Busybody Meaning Discussion
Traits of a Busybody in the Bible Trap
Yep, the mouth is a trap alright, and you
can get caught in your own trap if you’re not careful. Take
a look at this part one more time:
James 3:5-6
5 Even so the tongue is a little
member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a
matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a
fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our
members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth
on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of
hell.
You know, in our day-to-day lives, we hurt
others enough by the things we say without meaning to, as
James said, anybody who doesn’t offend others by the things
they say, is a perfect man, so why would anyone purposely
hurt another because they’re careless and don’t want the
responsibility of choosing the things they utter very
carefully?
Jesus told us about the trap of the mouth
as well:
Matthew 15:11
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man;
but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth
a man.
Matthew 15:17-20
17 Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in
at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out
into the draught?
18 But those things which proceed out
of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they
defile the man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil
thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts,
false witness, blasphemies:
20 These are the things which
defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth
not a man.
Busybody Meaning Sadness
Traits of a Busybody in the Bible Woes
* A busybody is prying.
There are some people who want to know
everything about everybody, because it makes them feel
important and smart. Why do some people spend their time
finding out a lot of things about other people? It’s not
because of their deep heartfelt concern, it’s so they can
repeat it to someone else!
Busybodies are blurters! They love to hear themselves
talk. They cannot keep confidences.
Busybodies are gossips! And guess what ... One who eagerly listens to
gossip, is just as guilty as the person telling it.
Proverbs 11:13
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a
faithful spirit concealeth the matter.
Proverbs 29:11
A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth
it in till afterwards.
Proverbs 14:33
Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath
understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools
is made known.
A good way to lose friends is to secretly
tell their secrets to another.
Proverbs 16:28
A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer
separateth chief friends.
Busybody Meaning Shared
Traits of a Busybody in the Bible Rulebook
* A busybody is annoying.
Once you know how much trouble busybodies can cause,
you realize how annoying they are. You don’t want to hear
their gossip, but most times, they just won’t give up ...
Like a gnat! We find that the traits of a busybody in the Bible
warning makes it real clear that it’s probably a good idea
to figure a way in your own words to arrest gossip in it’s tracks, without
bringing shame to the person spreading it, but at the same
time, giving them food for thought about what they’re doing.
Memorize your plan of action and use it like you would any
other common phrase and you’ll be cleverly planting a good
seed for the gossiper to ponder on.
Here’s a common old one that you may have
heard before: Loose lips sink ships!
Busybody Meaning Research
Traits of a Busybody in the Bible Pitfall
* A busybody exceeds the
bounds of propriety in showing interest, curiosity or in
offering advice.
Chances are, if you use the words “If you
ask me,” ... Nobody asked. At times like these, when that
irresistible urge to display your point of view takes hold,
think twice before you make an offering of advice. Keep in
mind, there is a time and a place for everything, and Heaven
forbid, nobody wants you to be silent all the time ... But
being discreet about the things you say will earn you the
respect of others. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you when you
converse with others.
Isaiah 50:4
The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned,
that I should know how to speak a word in season to
him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he
wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
Proverbs 15:23
A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word
spoken in due season, how good is it!
Busybody Meaning is Scary
Traits of a Busybody in the Bible Fear
* A busybody offers unwelcome attention.
Some people are very private people. They
don’t like attention drawn to themselves. Some people are
very shy and attention makes them uncomfortable. Some people
are just tickled pink to observe quietly and not be noticed
... They are plenty satisfied to be ’behind the scenes’ kind
of people, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to be
involved or included ... They just prefer if the focus isn’t
on them. If you are not this way, it’s honorable to respect
the wishes of people who are. Just because someone is
bashful, they shouldn’t have to fear being pointed out,
embarrassed, called on the carpet, forced to participate, or
anything else that makes them feel uncomfortable.
* A busybody is offensive.
There are two different ways that busybodies can be
offensive: Offensive as in the opposite of defensive, or in
other words ... Forward. A busybody can also be offensive as in offending
another person. Some people talk about other people, for one
reason, because they don’t have anything else to talk about,
and they’ll talk about virtually anything so that people
will listen to them. Another reason people may talk about
others is that maybe they feel they have inadequacies of
their own, so if they talk about other people, the focus
will be on something other than their own faults. This fear
of inadequacy can cause people to be on the offensive,
attacking others, easily angered, etc. Be aware of this, and
if you recognize this as a characteristic that you possess,
it would be a good idea to seek how to control it.
James 1:19-20
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift
to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath
of man worketh not the righteousness of God.
Busybody Meaning Brings Tears
Traits of a Busybody Offends Others
How does a busybody offend others? Do you step on other people
so you can be taller? What if the person you’re offending,
has a special place in God’s heart, and God sees or hears
you?
Matthew 7:12
Therefore all
things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,
do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the
Prophets.
* A busybody is interfering.
Most of the actions you can take to avoid being a busybody
are not complicated, they’re just common sense. You may mean
well when you butt in to the concerns of others, but
interfering usually just complicates matters. When you were
a child, did you ever ask someone a question and their
answer was, “None of your business?” If we could just call
to mind the humiliation we felt at those times, it would be
a lot easier to control ourselves when we’re tempted to
interfere in someone else’s bees wax.
2 Thessalonians 3:11-15
11 For we hear that there are some
which walk among you disorderly, working not at all,
but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command
and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with
quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
13 But ye,
brethren, be not weary in well doing.
14 And if any man
obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and
have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet
count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a
brother.
People who have
nothing better to do, tend to mind other people’s business
instead of their own, and we’ve all done it, and seen it,
too many times. It’s very important to warn them with love,
because embarrassing someone to humiliate them instead of
gently bringing them truth can
cause terrible damage instead of enlightenment ... And
enlightenment is the purpose.
The Bible says that widows have strong tendencies to be
busybodies:
1 Timothy 5:13
And withal widows learn to be
idle, wandering about from house to house; and not
only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies,
speaking things which they ought not.
They like to tell stories, because ...
They have idle time on their hands. This oft times stirs up
trouble.
Proverbs 26:20
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where
there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
Busybody Meaning for Widows
Traits of a Busybody in the Bible Summary
Widows aren’t the only ones who tell
tales. How many times have you repeated a story, and you
added a little flavor to it ... Y’know, to make it more
interesting ... To get a bigger WOW from the person you were
telling it to? You may have thought, What can it hurt to
make a tale into a tall tale? Friend, if you’re the one who
the story is being told about ... It can hurt plenty. Then
the next person adds a little more color to the story, and
before you know it ... A life can be ruined.
Think for a moment about our fellow
Christians. Some have jaded pasts, who are trying to renew
their lives in Christ ... All it takes is one talebearer to
make them feel shame enough to lose Faith in their ‘fellow’
Christians, and in turn, the rest of their Faith suffers
because of that one weak link.
It doesn’t always have to be something bad that a busybody
says ... Anything that isn’t your business is gossip. Have you
ever known someone who never has a bad thing to say about
anyone? You’ve got to admit, you admire people that are like
that. Strive to gain that quality! If you’re going to say
something about someone, make sure it’s something that lifts
them up. in the Bible, this is referred to as edifying your
fellows. It’s the Christian thing to do.
* A busybody is inappropriately inquisitive.
Society today has taught that peoples’
personal affairs are fair game to everyone. People don’t
hesitate to ask others about private matters that are
absolutely none of their business. If you have friends or
family that voluntarily share their dreams or secrets or
ideas or thoughts with you, they are trusting you, and those
things are usually very special to them. It’s something
shared from one heart to another. They trust that you put
the special secret things that they shared, into your heart
and that you will keep them safe there. It’s quite a
different matter if you go snooping around in their heart,
looking for things that they have no intention to share.
Busybody Meaning is Gossiping
Traits of a Busybody in the Bible Are a Cage for You
Avoiding Gossip is the Busybody Meaning Warning
How else can you avoid gossip? If someone
starts a sentence with:
- Did you hear .....?
- Guess what so and so did .....? or
- Did you know that .....?
You can bet that it’s gossip. Practice
not starting your sentences like these. If you know people
who do this a lot, you would be a good friend if you told
them that you don’t want to gossip about things that aren’t
your business, and that the Bible says not to. If your
’friends’ don’t like the truth that you tell, it may be time
to find some friends that understand your wishes to live by
God’s plan.
Don’t forget, God hears everything you say, too:
Ecclesiastes 5:2
Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be
hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in
Heaven, and thou upon Earth: therefore let thy words
be few.
If you find yourself being a busybody doing any of
the things we’ve discussed on this page, whether it be in
private messages, in the chat room, in letters, e-Mail, on
the phone, or in person, you are against what Jesus taught.
He invites you to come into the light. Remember ... Gossip is the Devil's radio.
Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures
of silver.
Does the busybody meaning described in this study of possessing
those ugly traits of a busybody in the Bible describe you?
A wise old owl sat in an oak.
The more he saw, the less he spoke.
The less he spoke, the more he heard.
Why can’t we be like that wise old bird?
