"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT NOT BEING MEDDLERS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT NOT BEING MEDDLERS"

Proverbs 26:17 “He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.”

(Taken from today's reading in The One Year Bible, 10/27/14)

Some background, application, questions and a prayer:

Proverbs is the Book in the Bible that has 31 chapters. It's God's instruction manual for us of how live day by day with His wisdom.
He has given us the right amount of chapters, basically one chapter for each day of every month. We need His wisdom every day.
And He gives it to us right here in Proverbs. This book teaches us how avoid danger and find the blessings of God in our lives, and how to be a blessing to others. Just like Jesus Christ is the greatest blessing a human being could have in their lives.

1. We pass by, or are made aware of, many things in our lives day by day.

Proverbs 26:17 “He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.”

God may allow us to see something of someone else's circumstance.
Perhaps He allows it so we can pray for it.
That would be a good use of our lives.

2. We can make a huge mistake when we pass by someone else's situation.

Proverbs 26:17 “He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.”

The mistake is called "meddling”.
Notice how the Lord put it:

Proverbs 26:17 “He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.”

What is the mistake?
Well for one, the quarrel is not our own.
It's not our business.
It's someone else's issue.
And, it's a mistake to stick our nose into it.

3. If we make the mistake of meddling we are in for a surprise and trouble.

Proverbs 26:17 “He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.”

Look how God describes it, and what will happen.
You have to use your imagination here.

But, imagine what happens when you pick up a dog by it's ears.
First of all it's going to bring pain to the dog.

Secondly, the dog will probably try and bite you.
And most likely will succeed in hurting you.

4. Here's how the NLT gives this verse:

Proverbs 26:17 “Yanking a dog’s ears is as foolish as interfering in someone else’s argument.”

It's foolish to mind someone else's business.
Other people may have arguments and issues that belong to them.
It's not a wise thing to jump into what is going on in their lives.
It will not help, it will only hurt.

5. Today the world of social media provides a trap for this foolishness.
Blogs and bloggers can be edifying or they can be hurtful and foolish.
God has allowed social media to be part of our culture today.
Let's try to use it for His glory and His honor and the good of others.

Questions:

1. If you are like me, I'll bet you have made this mistake.

2. Have you found this verse to be true?

3. Clearly, all of what is in the Bible is true, but this truth is only known by those who have not heeded it.

4. Do you think that God may allow you to know of someone else's situation, so you can pray for them, or learn from it?

5. Let's resolve right now to try the best we can to heed God's wise counsel in this matter.

A Prayer:

Father, You have many many children, and many many who are not yet Your children. And the world is full of tribulation, governed on one level by the devil and his demons. Trouble and sin are everywhere we look. People are fighting and arguing all the time. Lord, help us to be wise as we travel through this world day by day. We have enough of our own troubles and need wisdom to find our own way and Your will. Keep us from foolishness, and make us intercessors for the needs of others. We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia