Conspiracies Everywhere!

Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish.

Proverbs 18:13 (NLT)

Conspiracy theories have been around for a very long time. If you don’t know what a conspiracy theory is, I consider you blessed. Essentially, it is a theory, opinion, hypothesis about something that has occurred (usually something horrible) that has been covered up, or is in the process of getting covered up. The covering up piece generally involves secret meetings, encrypted messages, and, many times, assassinations in order to silence those who may expose the plot. However, there is a small problem. They can’t be proven with facts – only with guesses, hints, and opinions.

Unfortunately, conspiracy theories are so mainstream now that they can invade our space very easily. They are everywhere, including within God’s people, the church.

There are books, blogs, podcasts, video productions, journals, and any other media you can imagine, dedicated to exposing the conspiracies in this church or that church, or this pastor or that pastor. The people behind these productions are quick to point out supposed nefarious (evil-intended) behavior that only the most discerning eye can see. A head nod, a raised hand, an eyebrow twitch, can all be signs of conspiracy. The names of your children, or the street you live on can be suspect. The version of the Bible you read, or the type of Christian music you listen too can be an indicator of the evil lurking within.

Again, here’s the problem, none of this is rooted in fact. It is all based on observation, opinion, and paranoia. Yet, it is paraded around as fact, and people are buying into it.

Perhaps the biggest the worst part is that it takes a ton of the energy the church should be spending on mission (which is to spread the Gospel message) and redirects it to either investigating conspiracy theories or trying to refute them. Millions of dollars are spent every year to expose people to sin, rather than exposing them to the grace, mercy, and love of Jesus.

Church, we must do better. When we entertain, or even share, conspiracy theories, we serve only to hurt, maim, and destroy. When we stick to the facts, proclaiming Christ, and Him crucified, we serve to build up, to love, to introduce people to the Kingdom of God. The first is contrary to Scripture. The second is what Jesus calls us to do. Let’s choose to follow Him.