Do you like to know everything? Women have a tendency to want to know things. That is probably why talk shows abound on daytime television and movie star magazines fly off bookstore shelves. It is a spiritual discipline to not be nosy and to not think you have to be privy to every tidbit of info that 'comes down the pike' so to speak.
If you have adult children you need to learn to back off and not be snooping into every detail of their life especially if they are married. Facebook does not help as it is tempting to delve in there and see it all and be a 'stalker', as some children affectionately like to call it. A Wall Street Journal article a while back had a headline that read something like "The Helicopter Moms Are Hovering on Facebook". This is why it is important to probably not put everything out there for all to see. As for Facebook, my rule is to let 'young people' friend me and not other way around. As one of my sons kindly reminded me, "they are my friends mom, not yours". Good point, don't you think?
So what does the Bible have to say about all this? In this so called mission of 'information seeking' or meddling of sorts, we could have a tendency to comment on things we see. Better the less said the better. In Proverbs 10:19 it says"when there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise." Best to move on. Why do we feel compelled to know it all? You heard the saying from one well known gossip paper which said 'inquiring minds want to know. I want to know!'
James 1:19 might be a good verse to also have in your arsenal if you feel like commenting and it says " My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,". This verse can help out in so many areas of life but can pertain to trying to be nosy as well. Few people enjoy being "put on the witness stand" so to speak.
In the 1963 movie, Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds', actor Rod Taylor, said to his characters mother in the film when she was asking(prying) way too many questions about the character played by Tippi Hedren whom Taylor had taken a liking too, "since when did you get your law degree mother?" In other words, with all due respect 'back off mom'!
Proverbs 17:27 says " A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered." Ecclesiastes 5:3 says " As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words."
The Bible does mention busybodies, which is a person who just likes to snoop. I urge all readers to ask themselves why they really need to know some things. Life will go on without details. 1 Timothy 5:13 refers to busybodies. It is not just women who are nosy, although typically we do like to know more. Just relax and be a friend, be a mom, be a dad and let God orchestrate and direct your conversation.
Psalm 19:14 says "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."
PRAYER: Lord I desire to be known as one who does not snoop and pry. Help me Lord to let you guide my conversation and may it bring glory and honor to you. In Jesus name. Amen!
Note: Turn up speakers and click on link of following worship song:
http://youtu.be/zUAQdd2ELuE
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