Don’t Pull the Dog’s Ears!
Proverbs 26:17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.
The other day, I saw a meme on FB that used this passage and pictured an angry dog about to bite! It got my attention and prompted the thoughts of this article. Having had three dogs since moving to Indiana, I know what can irritate a dog. Granted, if well trained, many dogs will allow their owners or others with their owners present, to do anything to them, without retaliation. Yet I’ve noticed that with all three of my dogs, though my grandchildren did pull gently on their ears from time to time, they always barked or at a minimum would whine when treated so. On a show I watched not long ago, a policeman was being interviewed by a news reporter regarding his K-9 partner. While just speaking with the policeman, and kindly petting the German shepherd officer, the dog remained very well-behaved. But when the reporter attempted to hug the dog around the throat (intended as only a sign of affection and appreciation), the dog instinctively retaliated by biting the reporter in the face! For the dog, it was a natural reaction instilled in his training. For the reporter, it was a lesson in how not to meddle with a well-trained police dog!
But I digress. The proverb is speaking of anyone who decides he/she needs to involve him/herself in a matter of strife that simply is none of his business! Those involved in the strife might well react as the dog whose ears are pulled! In fact, they might react as did the German Shepherd who bit the face of the reporter mentioned earlier. Still, some believe it is their “duty” to meddle in a strife that is neither of their making nor business. They are being “busybodies in other men’s matters.” (1 Thessalonians 5:13; 1 Peter 4:15). There is no righteousness in such an act, just as there is no kindness in pulling the ears of a dog, just to hear the dog yelp!
There is a stark difference between “meddling” and being asked to help bring an end to strife. Solomon wrote, “It is an honor for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.” (Proverbs 20:3) Solomon explains how strife begins (“The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore, leave off contention before it be meddled with.” – Proverbs 17:14) and told Israel what man should meddle in – “Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.” (Proverbs 18:1) Unfortunately, many act as those they are “brotherhood detectives” and “must know what’s going on” within congregations and/or the lives of gospel preachers. At times, it is as though these souls seek to be “reporters of the news” within the body of Christ, and “the news isn’t good.” If that’s the case, why advertise it? Why do those souls not involved need to know of matters that do not involve them? Some would suggest they need to know so they can avoid such problems. But doesn’t such meddling and spreading this “news” (aka. “gossip”) cause yelping from the pulling ears?
The Lord’s church is comprised of souls who have obeyed the gospel of Christ Jesus. (1 Peter 2: 1- 12) In doing this, notice what the inspired apostle says we’ve “laid aside” in this process: “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings …” (vs. 1) Would this list also include “meddling with a strife not belonging to him?” It appears that would fit under the heading of “malice” or “guile” and could easily be included with “all evil speakings.” So, what value is there in someone meddling in a matter of strife that isn’t theirs? “Oh, you need to be aware of it,” some meddlers will answer. No, we don’t need to be aware of it! “But it will help you avoid it,” they retort. No, it doesn’t help! If we’re adhering closely to the commandments of our Lord, such matters are not helpful, and should we experience some strife of our making, it helps no one else to involve them! Even if those who experience the strife should ask us to help them bring about peace again, it is never helpful to “broadcast the problem” to others just for the sake of letting others know, “I have some news I can share.” Strife is a matter belonging only to those involved and must be settled between them without others meddling! (Proverbs 26:20 -- Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.; Matthew 18: 15 – 20)
No faithful Christian appreciates learning of strife between brethren. It is a thing the Lord hates! (Proverbs 6: 16 – 19). Unfortunately, there are Christians who seem to “thrive” on such matters and are not backward about sharing such information with those who will listen. Please, brethren, stop pulling ears just to hear the yelp! If you know of strife but are not involved, then pray that those involved will seek God’s counsel and not man’s! If you aren’t asked to help those who are involved, then don’t meddle in the matter! And that means, don’t be hinting for information about the matter, either! Follow the pattern the apostle Peter issued. He said, “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” (1 Peter 3: 1- 12