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.
Insight
If we want to honor God in our Christian walk, we must take time at every step for prayer and for the exercise of sound judgment. Or else we will rush in, uninvited, to our own loss. To seize a dog by the ears will bring good reason to repent of our folly. To meddle in a quarrel that is not [our] own will surely bring trouble. There is a world of difference between suffering as a Christian and suffering as a busybody. Even with Christian intentions, many of us are too fond of meddling in other peoples’ affairs. Uninvited interference seldom avails with the contending parties. 1
Application
Paul explains how to avoid this dog-battle, which is not worth fighting in 2 Timothy 2:23–24:
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient.
Stop meddling in someone else’s life. It is not your designated responsibility to right the wrongs in another person’s life. Give it to God. Pray for them. If God wants to use you to help another, then He will open that door. Stop breaking down your friends’ doors. Release it to God, and let Him demonstrate that He has it all under control.
Motivation
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows. Proverbs 18:6
There is already enough conflict in our lives without seeking unnecessary battles that belong to others. – TWEET IT
Prayer
Father, please keep me focused upon Your will, and not the will of others.
1. Bridges, C. (2001). Proverbs. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.
