Today's devotional deals with minding one's own business. If we are not careful, we can easily find ourselves ensnared in matters that are none of our concern. People need support and love, but they also need space. There are control freaks out there everywhere who obviously have too much time on their hands so they want to meddle in other people's affairs. Paul told the church at Thessalonica, 2TH 3:11 We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. It is admirable for God's people to lift up one another in prayer. It is admirable for God's people to offer love, support and godly advice; but it is not admirable to involve ourselves in another's affairs unless we are invited. Crouched away in the book of wise sayings known as Proverbs is a piece of advice that powerfully addresses this issue.
PR 26:17 Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passer-by who meddles in a quarrel not his own. This pithy maxim offers wonderful advice on avoiding the busybody syndrome. First, I want point out the word picture that is communicated. Like one who seizes a dog by the ears... None of the forty references to dogs in the Bible are complimentary. The Biblical reference to dogs does not focus on the domesticated pet that many of us have come to cherish and care for, but rather on the wild scavenger that gnarls its teeth and stands ready to attack anyone or anything that poses a threat or looks like a tasty meal.
This type of canine makes me think of an experience I had in one of the churches I served. There was a needy family in the community that our church ministered to. I developed a friendship with the family and had the opportunity to share Jesus with them on several occasions. On one of my visits to their home I discovered a sight that caused me to tremble. One of the sons who had moved away from home had given his mom, a canine. He did not give her a toy poodle, or a Chihuahua. This loving son brought a full blooded gray wolf to the house. I sat on the other side of the room, close to the door as I carefully watched this powerful animal move about close to this lady. A week or two later I heard that the animal control people came and took the animal. When I think of this warning about seizing a dog by the ears I imagine that large strong canine.
The second observation I want to point out is the person this proverb is directed to. a passer-by... This is not a person who has been intimately involved in the matter. This is not a person who has cried with the one who has personally struggled with the quarrel. This is not a person who has taken the time to build a bridge of genuine love and concern. This is the one who sees the situation from a distance and wants to jump in and offer his invaluable insight (invaluable according to the thinking of the one passing by). It is easy to offer advice from a safe distance. All problems seem less difficult when they do not personally involve us. If only he would do this...or if only he would do that... Many times the situation is far more complex than it appears to be. Not only that but seldom if ever does anyone see a complete picture. We are apt to hear one side and develop a judgment far too quickly. Jesus said, John7:24 Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment." These quick judgments are dangerous and likened to grabbing a wild wolf by the ears!
The final observation I want to point out is the predicament. ...who meddles in a quarrel not his own. The dictionary defines meddle as to intrude in other people's affairs or business; interfere unwanted. The word intrude infers that the advice and participation is not only unwanted, but offensive. Have you been struggling with a certain situation and have someone intrude. Why do we fight battles that are not ours? Why do we involve ourselves in affairs that do not concern us? Why do we wonder what happened when we get wolf bit? If you tend to be a meddler, let me ask you a question? Why do you feel like you have to fix everything? Last year I was struggling with some issues and I called an associational missionary (not the one in my area). He listened to me for five minutes and then proceeded to give me a seven point plan. He said, “this is what you have to do. If you do this you will get what you want.” His advice didn't console me, but rather it inflamed me. To begin with, I didn't see the hand of God in any of his advice. Incidentally, God worked things out without the use of this man's seven part plan. Very seldom is a quarrel or struggle simple enough to fix with a canned plan. Don't get me wrong. We need to listen to advice and heed it when it applies. Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. Yet we also need to be careful that we don't plan God out of our plans. It is okay to give advice, but only after you have diligently listened to the person. The person needs to know that he or she is more than another ministry conquest.