Last year, I joined a book club which digs into and discusses various conspiracy theories. Since I had been interested in this topic, it was a stimulating and enriching experience. I got to meet and know some fantastic human beings, absorb wild information, and have my mind stretched like never before! However, studying conspiracy theories I conclude, is a bottomless pit. It can be likened to an attempt to unravel an enormous pot of cooked spaghetti. Everything is connected in some way!
One goal in this was that I sincerely wished to understand the thought process behind various conspiracy theories. Why do people believe the things they do? What makes some folks lean toward these beliefs and fixate upon them?
I hold a malleable view of many things: history, the future, end times, humanity’s trajectory, and the powers that shape that trajectory.
One thing remains consistently clear:
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 ESV
Ephesians 6:12 ESV
While being a part of this book club, I constantly asked the question: “Does this information benefit me, and if so, how?”
Like I stated earlier, this topic seems to be a bottomless caldron, with new things constantly bubbling to the top. Not all, but many of these theories come from a place of fear or hopelessness. Fear for what the future may hold and my inability to do anything about it.
With this in mind, it is important to understand the context of this verse in Ephesians.
This verse sits in the middle of Paul’s exhortation to “Be strong in the LORD, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God… fasten the belt of truth, put on the breastplate of righteousness, and as shoes for your feet, the gospel of peace. Take up the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and grasp the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit and remain watchful.”
Honestly, this is all we need. We don’t have to untangle or understand the workings of the greater realm beyond us. Put on the armor of God, pray in the Spirit, remain watchful.
I see a man, fully arrayed in battle armor, simply standing there; watching. Listening. Waiting to engage the enemy in whatever form he comes.
Since we cannot plan for a future that we do not know, we do well to remain tuned to the One who holds the future. The One who sets kings up and causes kingdoms to fall; because our future is already history to Him.
Are conspiracy theories a waste of time? Is there truth in them?
Yes and no to both those questions. It can be a waste of time, yes, but it can also be educational. The level of truth is probably dependent on the lens through which you view life.
While I think it is great fun to study conspiracy theories, I must also remember who the solid rock of Truth is: Jesus Christ, and stand firmly on Him. His one purpose in life was to glorify the Father and do his will. May we do likewise.
And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one.
Zechariah 14:9