What
the Bible says about Spying
The
Bible makes a few references ‘to spying out the land’. This
was done when the Israelites were at war against other nations. A
few spies were sent to enemy territory to assess the landscape and
the size of the army they would need before going into battle.
There is no scripture in the old or new testament where God
encourages his people to spy on the personal
lives
of
fellowmen or even their enemies. There is a huge difference
between 'spying out the land' and 'spying upon someone's freedom'.
In the book of Galatians the bible makes reference to 'false
brothers' who infiltrate the congregation to 'spy upon [the]
freedom' of true Christians (Galatians 2:4,5).
According
to the Holy Scriptures God disapproves of those who spy, stalk and
meddle in other people's affairs. In fact, those who meddle in
other people's lives uninvited, are committing a sin that God
(Yehovah) categorizes with murder and theft. Under the Mosaic law,
Jews who committed murder were sentenced to death. Those who stole
had to repay up to fivefold what they took or they had to be sold
as slaves for compensation. These are not minor repercussions.
Jesus also taught Christians not to be meddlesome. According to
the Scriptures, during a conversation with his disciples Jesus
'told' one of them to mind his own business because he was
inquiring about something that did not concern him (John 21:23).
If
someone is doing something wrong Yehovah will expose it. It
suffices to pray for the wrongdoing to be uncovered and Yehovah
will answer the request in his own time. Spying to keep the
congregation 'clean' can not be justified. It is a scriptural sin.
So
they went up and spied out the land from the wilderness of
Zin to Rehob to the entering in of Hamath (Numbers 13:21)
We
are all of us sons of but one man. We are upright men. Your
servants do not act as spies.” But he said to them: “Not so!
Because you have come to see the exposed condition of the
land!”(Genesis
42:11, 12)
But
because of the false brothers brought in quietly, who
sneaked in to spy upon our freedom which we have in union
with Christ Jesus, that they might completely enslave us— to
these we did not yield by way of submission, no, not for an hour,
in order that the truth of the good news might continue with you.
(Galatians 2:4,5)
As
one grabbing hold of the ears of a dog is anyone passing by that
is becoming furious at the quarrel that is not his. (Proverbs
26:17)
and
to make it YOUR aim to live quietly and to mind YOUR own business
and work with your hands, just as we ordered you ( 1
Thessalonians 4:11)
For
we hear certain ones are walking disorderly among you, not
working at all but meddling with what does not concern them. ( 2
Thessalonians 3:11)
At
the same time they also learn to be unoccupied, gadding about to
the houses; yes, not only unoccupied, but also gossipers and
meddlers in other people’s affairs, talking of things they
ought not. (1 Timothy 5:13)
The
one walking about as a slanderer is uncovering confidential talk,
but the one faithful in spirit is covering over a matter.
(Proverbs 11:13)
In
consequence, this saying went out among the brothers, that that
disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say to him that he
would not die, but: “If it is my will for him to remain until I
come, of what concern is that to you?” (John 21:23)
Who
are you to judge the house servant of another? To his own master
he stands or falls. (Romans 14:4)
There
are six things that Jehovah does hate; yes, seven are things
detestable to his soul: lofty eyes, a false tongue, and hands
that are shedding innocent blood, a heart fabricating hurtful
schemes, feet that are in a hurry to run to badness, a false
witness that launches forth lies, and anyone sending forth
contentions among brothers.(Proverbs 6: 16-19)
However,
let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer
or as a busybody in other people’s matters. (1Peter:4:15)
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