Having often said that a minister ought to have one blind eye and one deaf ear, I have excited the curiosity of several brethren. To many, it appears that the keener eyes and ears we have the better. Well, gentlemen, here is my text: Ecc. 7:21, “Also take no heed unto all words that are spoken; lest thou hear thy servant curse thee.”Do not consider yourself to be the bishop of the neighboring churches, but be satisfied with looking after Lystra, or Derbe, or Thessalonica, or whichever Church may be allotted to your care, and leave Philippi and Ephesus in the hands of their own pastors. Do not encourage a disaffected person in finding fault with their minister or in bringing you news of evils in other congregations. When you meet your brother ministers do not be in a hurry to advise them. They probably know their duty quite as well as you know yours. We have all enough to do at home and it is prudent to keep out of all disputes which do not belong to us. We are recommended by one of the world’s proverbs to wash our dirty linen at home, and I will add another line to it, and advise that we do not call on our neighbors while their linen is in the suds. This is due to our friends, and will best promote peace. “He that passeth by and meddleth with strife belonging not to him is like one that taketh a dog by the ears”—Prov. 26:17. That person is very apt to be bitten, and few will pity him. Our Master has read us a lesson of Godly wisdom. He healed the contentious in own family, but when called to meddle with strife belonging not to him, he gave answer – “Who made me a judge or a divider over you?” —Lu 12:14. Many a trifling difference within a church has been fanned into a great flame by ministers outside who had no idea of the mischief they were causing: they gave verdicts up ex parte statements and so egged on an opposing person who felt safe when they could say that the neighboring ministers quite agreed with them. My counsel is that we join the “know-nothings” and never say a word upon a matter till we have heard both sides; and moreover, that we do our best to avoid hearing either one side or the other if the matter does not concern us.
Listen to the words of Ps. 38:12, ”They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. For in thee, O LORD, do I hope.” Is not this a sufficient explanation of my declaration that I have one blind eye and one deaf ear, and that they are my best eye and my best ear?
Charles Hadden Spurgeon
Lectures To My Students