II Thessalonians III
For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. (II Thessalonians 3:11 ESV)
Busy Bodies or Busybodies
The devil loves idle hands, we say.
Maybe this is a part of why we say that. Those who are busy at real work, do not usually have time to be busybodies.
And not just ditch digging, roof shingling, laundry washing work. Certainly, physical labor IS work. But so is the work of reconciliation, that God calls us to. So is the work of displaying the gospel, preaching with both words and deeds. So, too, is work of seeking joy in all things, acknowledging and basking in our Lord’s blessings.
Elsewhere, Paul tells us to work out our salvation, and that, too is a form of work that keeps us from being idle.
Any of those kinds of work keep us from too much focus on other people’s lives. Be busy, and be less of a busybody.