“Conspiracy Theory” is an apt phrase because it captures an idea for which no other phrase fits. But let’s use instead a phrase not invented by the CIA. Let’s use the broader language of “current events.”
We all want to understand current events. Everyone wants answers: who started this war or that war? What role did oil production play in the war? What really happened with the space program? What about genetically modified organisms? What about vaccines? What about contrails or chemtrails? Where did COVID-19 come from? What about pizzagate?
There are dozens of these issues. And we all want answers. Where do most of us get our answers? From the most unreliable source imaginable, the internet. Some websites are correct of course, some are wrong, and some are lying on purpose to generate likes, shares and follows.
What can we do? Pray. Pray hard. And learn the word. Study the word. If we want to know what is behind the events of the day, we need to stop researching the events of the day. Wait, what? That’s right. Stop listening to podcasts and watching YouTube videos and doing so-called “deep-dives” (which are never all that deep, but merely time-consuming).
Nothing on the internet is ever deep. Don’t believe me? Read a 300-page work of non-fiction and then ask yourself how deep the worldwide web really is. It is a speedboat skimming the surface of all the world’s topics.
Anyway, my point is:
IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS BEHIND THE EVENTS OF THE DAY, STOP RESEARCHING THE EVENTS OF THE DAY AND SPEND MORE TIME STUDYING GOD’S WORD.
Why? Will the Bible answer your questions about the moon landing or the death of President Kennedy? No, certainly not in any direct manner. But the Bible will fill your heart with wisdom and a deeper knowledge of God’s heart and God’s voice.
My experience with these issues has been as follows: sometimes God gives me answers. Most of the time God tells me to wait. Just wait. Wait for more facts. More evidence. Wait on the Lord and keep studying his word. God has never led me to do a “deep-dive” researching current events. Have I done a deep-dive? Of course. But I won’t say God led it.
One problem with conspiracy theories is that the obsession seems to breed animosity.
Once you decide that a conspiracy is factual–that the government really has deceived the public about something–then you are tempted to see the world in terms of good and evil. Those who agree with you are your brothers-in-arms. Those who disagree are either WOLVES and your sworn enemy, or they are SHEEP and not worth your time.
What about your family and friends? They are either on your side or they are wolves to attack or they are sheep–and you vacillate between feeling sorry for them and feeling fed-up with them. What about your Christian brothers and sisters? Again, if they do not share your view, then they are either wolves or sheep, in either case, a problem.
This becomes deeply divisive, creating almost a demonic level of hatred and bitterness. Have you experienced that? I have. The reason is that we are no longer looking at people through God’s eyes. We are not seeing them through the Blood of Christ. We only see them through the lens of the issue that divides us.
Remember the prayer of Jesus in John 17? Jesus’s longest prayer in the Bible is a prayer that His followers would have unity. UNITY. Jesus asks that his disciples “may be one as we are one” John 17:11.
“My prayer is … that all of them may be one … I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one … so that they may be brought to complete unity” John 17:21-23.
The Bible speaks often of the importance of unity in the church, unity in families, unity between brothers, unity among friends. It says nothing about investigating and solving every mystery that may be lurking in some government file. As a lawyer and a college professor, investigations and research are my bread and butter. Yet, when I find myself obsessed with the latest current events, looking for patterns that may or may not exist–God always cautions me to back off. He seems to lead me to let the matter go and wait on the Lord. The truth will out. What am I supposed to do in the meantime, while I wrestle with having no clear answer? “Wait on the Lord.” Trust the Lord.
“Reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing they breed quarrels” 2 Timothy 2:23.
Dear God, teach us to spend more time in the word and less time “researching” current events. Give us the patience to trust you and the wisdom to protect the UNITY OF THE BODY OF CHRIST. Remind us how important the unity of the Body is to You.
Household Words: 