Mind Your Business
Scripture Reading: John 21: 15–23
“Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, if I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me,” John 21:20–22.
Mind Your Business
We bless you, Lord, and give you glory for the priviledge of understanding your Word. King of kings and Lord of lords, whom you love, you chastise; whom you love, you correct. You correct, not for condemnation, but for improvement. You know who we ought to be and who we are now. Father, in your mercy, upgrade us through your Word.
Do you know people who are always concerning themselves with other people’s issues? It appears as though they are not content unless they are trying to solve someone else’s problems. We should focus on our own assignments from the Lord. In the Scripture above, Peter had denied the Lord Jesus three times but Jesus was still working with him on his redemption and forgiveness.
“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs,” John 21:15. Two more times, Jesus asked the question, Peter repeated his answer, and Jesus responded, “Feed my sheep ” verses 16–17. Jesus continued, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, when thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me,” verses 18–19.
Since Peter had denied Jesus three times, Jesus, in His love, prompted Peter to affirm his love for Jesus three times. Jesus then gave Peter clear instructions: “Feed my lambs, feed my sheep, and follow me.” Peter did not ask, “How am I to feed your lambs after you are gone?’ or “What do you mean by feed your lambs?” or “What will it take to follow you?” Instead of concentrating on his own ministry, Peter wanted to know about John’s life. Does this remind us of ourselves sometimes?
But Jesus clearly rebuked Peter for this type of behavior: “Jesus saith unto him, if I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?,” John 21:22–23. Peter was minding John’s business, rather than focusing on his own ministry, and the Lord corrected him.
Like Peter, many of us have things we should be doing for God, but we are not doing them because we are too busy concerning ourselves with other people’s business. This is a stronghold of which we need to be mindful. Pray for deliverance from this busy-body spirit. I urge you today to focus on your own restoration. Jesus, in His mercy and love, calls us all to restoration. Just as He asked Peter if he loved Him more than the distractions, Jesus asks you the same question. If you are minding the business of others it is distracting you from your ministry and service to the Lord. It is a diversion, an evil diversion. I ask in the name of Jesus that God will give you a divine deliverance from all evil diversions. May the diversions be replaced with the direction of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer Points:
Father God, forgive us from every diversion. Forgive your children for we have involved ourselves in other people’s business. Whenever we want to involve ourselves in something that is not directly related to the assignment you have given us, give us the grace to remember Peter and make the appropriate corrections in the name of Jesus. Bless us with the direction of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
