Busybody – The Christian Underground Journal

What are we supposed to think?

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Much time is spent thinking, pondering, analyzing, and considering what is right and wrong with Christianity.

Why?

God’s Busybody’s: If you watch TV, read the paper, magazines, books, listen to radio, or observe your neighbors’ activities, you might discover that people are absorbed with what other people are doing. In fact, they talk about everything anyone does not matter what the topic. People offer advice on about anything—even if they are not knowledgeable with the subject to give advice.

Many people are gossips. They put their nose where it isn’t welcome, and they feel a sense of accomplishment and control when they do. If their advice lends to benefit their neighbor, or wrecks a person’s reputation and career, most busybody’s strut around with head held high, singing Clingon victory praises. It almost reminds me of two animals fighting over territory; when one wins there is a dance of victory, a cocky attitude and an ego that is too large to fit in a Wal-Mart superstore. Well, God has His very own busybody’s. These are the ones who have nothing better to do than poke around God’s business, trying to second guess His next move, or determine what will happen to the church next door. Often, those who believe that the gift of prophecy has to do with future telling are the ones who are most prone to this “busybody” syndrome. This gift has nothing to do with what is perceived by most who need to have something special from the Lord. Let’s take a look at its actual meaning from Vines Expository to the Greek and Hebrew Languages:: “English Words: Prophecy, Prophesy, and Prophesying Usage Number: A-1 Part of Speech: Noun Strong’s Number: 4394 Greek Word: propheteia Usage Notes: signifies “the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God” (pro, “forth,” phemi, “to speak:” see PROPHET);in the NT it is used (a) of the gift, e.g., Rom. 12:6; 1Cor. 12:10; 1Cor. 13:2; (b) either of the exercise of the gift or of that which is “prophesied,” e.g., Matt. 13:14; 1Cor. 13:8; 1Cor. 14:6, 22; 1Thess. 5:20, “prophesying (s);” 1Tim. 1:18;
1Tim. 4:14; 2Pet. 1:20, 21; Rev. 1:3; Rev. 11:6; Rev. 19:10; Rev. 22:7, 10, 18, 19. “Though much of OT prophecy was purely predictive, see Micah 5:2, e.g., and cp. John 11:51, prophecy is not necessarily, nor even primarily, fore-telling. It is the declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means, Matt. 26:68, it is the fourth telling of the will of God, whether with reference to the past, the present, or the future, see Gen. 20:7; Deut. 18:18; Rev. 10:11; Rev. 11:3. “In such passages as 1Cor. 12:28; Eph. 2:20, the ‘prophets’ are placed after the ‘Apostles,’ since not the prophets of Israel are intended, but the ‘gifts’ of the ascended Lord, Eph. 4:8, 11; cp. Acts 13:1 ; the purpose of their ministry was to edify, to comfort, and to encourage the believers, 1Cor. 14:3, while its effect upon unbelievers was to show that the secrets of a man’s heart are known to God, to convict of sin, and to constrain to worship, 1Cor. 14:24, 25. “With the completion of the canon of Scripture prophecy passed away, 1Cor. 13:8, 9. In his measure the teacher has taken the place of the prophet, cp. the meaningful change in 2 Pet. 2:1. The difference is that, whereas the message of the prophet was a direct revelation of the mind of God for the occasion, the message of the teacher is gathered from the completed revelation contained in the Scriptures.” * [* From Notes on Thessalonians by Hogg and Vine, pp. 196,197.] Usage Number: B-1 Part of Speech: Adjective Strong’s Number: 4397 Greek Word: prophetikos Usage Notes: “of or relating to prophecy,” or “proceeding from a prophet, prophetic,” is used of the OT Scriptures, Rom. 16:26, “of the prophets,” lit., “(by) prophetic (Scriptures);” 2 Pet. 1:19, “the word of prophecy (made surer),” i.e., confirmed by the person and work of Christ (AV, “a surer, etc.”), lit., “the prophetic word.” Usage Number: C-1 Part of Speech: Verb Strong’s Number: 4395 Greek Word: propheteuo Usage Notes: “to be a prophet, to prophesy,” is used (a) with the primary meaning of telling forth the Divine counsels, e.g., Matt. 7:22; Matt. 26:68; 1Cor. 11:4, 5; 1Cor. 13:9; 1Cor. 14:1, 3-5, 24, 31, 39; Rev. 11:3; (b) of foretelling the future, e.g., Matt. 15:7; John 11:51; 1Pet. 1:10; Jude 14.” I have bolded the word study that is most important and placed the entire study in quotes for your understanding. This has nothing to do with seeing the future or predicting what is to come. That is God’s business and not ours to consider. What is ours to consider is to be prepared, especially as we see the day approaching. We know when this happens because the Holy Spirit alerts us and prepares us through teachers, not fortune-tellers. In Scripture you will not find a single statement that tells us that the gift of prophecy is liken to the office of prophet. That office was last filled by John the Baptist and Jesus and will not be filled again until the two witnesses are present. What we need to do more than anything is to stop interfering with God’s business and be about the business of our Lord Christ Jesus—preaching the good news, not trying one-upmanship tactics throughout the body of Christ. We should all be working together for the good, not to prove ourselves superior, or in favor with the Lord, because we are not in favor with Him, and He does not need us to accomplish His goals. So, none of us can claim a position of honor or favor with the Lord, we must stop trying to be something we are not supposed to be. We must become like children with the Lord, fully dependent and trusting in and on Him for all our needs and education.

Study to prove a point instead of studying to become full. Most of the Christians I have known over the years have been a blessing to my family and me. Not all my acquaintances engage in idle talk about prophecy or spiritual concerns. Most of them have enough trouble considering what the day may bring and how to deal with what is here and now. Heavenly things are a part of the afterlife and salvation is what assures that—at least in most circles. Extraordinarily little energy is spent considering eternal rewards and investments. Spiritual repair and the consequences of neglecting to obey the Lord’s command as stated in 1 John 2. Is this a wrong approach, or can this be what the Lord of creation desires of each of us? I think so! Look at how Paul responded to those who attempted to discredit the ministry of the Apostles in 2 Corinthians. “For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding.” 2 Cor 10:12 (ASV). So, what about rewards concerning the gospel and our place in heaven? Let’s look at 1 Corinthians for a short answer to this question: “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel. For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship in trusted to me. What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the gospel.” 1 Cor 9:16-18 (ASV) I’m not going to carry this sermon any further unless the Lord requires of me to complete more. What is most important is what we need to think about. If we can dare humble ourselves long enough to listen to the Lord Christ, we would see the beauty of thinking on these things: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. The things which ye both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these things do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Phil 4:8-9 (ASV)