Moment of Meditation: Busybodies and Gossips (1 Timothy 5:13)
Besides, they get into the habit of being idle
and going about from house to house.
And not only do they become idlers,
but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to.
(1 Timothy 5:13)
Busybodies is something that we tend to think of as not being that terrible. However, the Apostles place it as one of the most horrible of sins. Paul places gossips alongside murder, greed, envy and malice. And it definitely is.
Busybodies and gossips don't physically kill anyone, but they tarnish and ruin reputations. That is far worse. Luther writes in his Large Catechism, "Over and above our own body, spouse, and temporal possessions, we have yet another treasure, namely, honor and good report, with which we cannot dispense. For it is intolerable to live among men in open shame and general contempt. Therefore God wishes the reputation, good name, and upright character of our neighbor to be taken away or diminished as little as his money and possessions, that every one may stand in his integrity before wife, children, servants, and neighbors" (I 255-256).
Many people have had their lives made a living hell because of busybodies and gossips. This is the background of cyber-bullying that leads so many young people to take their own lives. The gossips and the busy-ness of talk about and around people leads to a living hell on earth. How would you like to live with your reputation so sullied that you were afraid to stick your head out of the front door to get the mail? Jesus reminds us, "Do to others what you would have them do to you" (Matthew 7:12). Amen.
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