I Have a Conspiracy Theory About Conspiracy Theories 👀

Did you know birds aren't real? None of them. They're actually government robots, created with the intent to spy on us. As the theory goes, our government slowly replaced all biological birds between 1959 and 2001 with drone replicas, meant to blend in with everyday life so that no one would be the wiser. That is, until 2017 when a college student created a website called "Birds Aren't Real" and started selling sick merch! So, I guess that would technically mean birdwatchers are actually spying on the government, right?

That's at the top of my list of favorite conspiracy theories, but my second is in the same vein. It's the theory that Finland doesn't exist. That's right, the entire Scandinavian nation, which boasts a population of over five million people, simply does. not. exist. Rather, it was the invention of a partnership between Japan and Soviet Russia in the mid 1900s in order to secretly maintain control of the Baltic Sea. At least that's how the theory goes. Think about it, have you ever actually met anyone from Finland? (Facebook doesn't count because those are Russian bots and even if you have, they were likely shady Russian actors).

THE WORD

Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against His anointed, saying, “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. -Psalm 2:1-4

Hopefully you detect my sarcasm. Sadly, I wouldn't be shocked if some readers thought I'm being serious. To be clear, these are REAL conspiracy theories, though they're among the silliest. I don't believe them, but I am amused by them.

There is no shortage of conspiracy theories floating around the internet and they are multiplying by the day. You're likely familiar with the most popular ones:

• 9/11 was an inside job.

• The earth is flat.

• Elections have been stolen (take your pick on which ones).

• The moon landing was fake.

• Area 51 contains alien life forms.

Some of the reason for the conspiracy theory boom over the last decade can simply be accredited to the law of supply and demand. As long as there is a demand for conspiracy, the theories will abound. We're intrigued by secrets. We always have been; ever since a crafty serpent slivered over to Eve in the garden and told her that what God said wasn't really true. “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:4-5)

Did you catch it? "GOD KNOWS..." In other words, God knows something that you don't and He's keeping it from you. There's a conspiracy afoot! Yet interestingly enough, the real conspiracy was not at the hands of God towards man, but rather at the hands of man, towards God. Humanity conspired with the enemy to rebel against God's ways and break His command. Then, in their nakedness, they attempted to hide from God among the trees (the very thing they had just eaten from; not smart). Thus began an inherit obsession within man to judge apart from God what we believe to be right and wrong and to uncover "truth" for ourselves.

Adam and Eve didn't just eat from a forbidden tree; they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Before eating from that tree the only way humanity could distinguish between right and wrong was by fully relying on what God said. By going against His command, we determined to become our own judge. When we violated His law, we deemed our knowledge superior to His.

That's not to say conspiracy theories are inherently sinful or that none of them hold weight. I'm simply pointing out that our sinful nature yearns to rebel against truth and we are prone to pursue the inferior knowledge of man as opposed to knowing God.

THE PLAGUE OF CONSPIRACY IN THE EARLY CHURCH

The early Church waded through it's fair share of conspiracies that attempting to catch the attention of believers. In the first couple of centuries after the death and resurrection of Jesus, as the gospel began to travel and the Church was established across the Mediterranean and throughout the Middle East, a movement known as Gnosticism began to grow alongside it, much like a fungus.

Gnosticism posited that salvation doesn't come by way of faith but rather by obtaining secret knowledge. This "hidden knowledge" unveils everything from the origins of the universe, other god-like beings such as the Demiurge, and a true understanding of human life being "the spark within our material bodies."

Perhaps this sounds a bit silly to you, but by the third century, Gnosticism was a major rival to Orthodox Christianity and many historians credit it's downfall only to the fact that the Roman Empire turned Christian in the fourth century, turning the political tide away from the Gnostics.

Let me be clear, I'm not suggesting your basement-dwelling bestie with a daily double-digit screen time, who regularly reposts the latest Epstein headline, is a Gnostic. Gnosticism wasn't merely an obsession with conspiracy theories, it was a belief system; however it thrived on the rebellious nature within humanity to question all things in search for ultimate truth.

I'm certain hardly anyone would say they're belief in conspiracies is what saves them, but beneath the surface, isn't that kind of what we're hoping for when we research the latest theory? We're hoping that what we learn will keep us from believing something false or being deceived. And I think that's noble! Jesus warned us to watch out for false prophets and to stay away from the wide gate and broad road that lead to destruction! (Matthew 7) But it's important to remember, our salvation does not come from what we don't believe in, but rather what we do believe in. Our faith is not built on exposing the enemy, but rather exalting Christ. Our knowledge of secrets, plots, and plans is not what will keep us from stumbling. Our knowledge of Jesus is.

So, before I share my conspiracy theory about conspiracy theories, allow me to point out

THREE WARNINGS FROM THE BIBLE ABOUT CONSPIRACY THEORIES

1. THE BIBLE WARNS AGAINST CONSPIRACY

In Psalm 2:1 David asks the question, "Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain?" The Proverbs warn us against plotting evil against others. Joseph's brothers conspire against him to have him sold into slavery. The Pharisees conspire to have Jesus crucified. There's no doubt about it, in a fallen world, conspiracies abound!

Yet, David says it's all in vain. Because God will have the final word, and He will even say that final word while laughing, which is terrifying. But that's not meant to paint God as some maniacal overlord. It's an euphemism to express just how futile the plans and plots of the wicked are.

Let me state, for the record, I want darkness to be revealed! Ephesians 5 tells us that we not only should have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but we should also expose them. We should desire for lies to be uncovered and plots to be foiled. But we shouldn't be shocked or surprised when they are, because the Bible makes it clear, the forces of darkness are conspiring all around us.

1 John 5 tells us the entire world is under the control of the evil one. In most cases, I think the many of the darkest conspirators around the globe have no idea Satan is actually pulling the strings of their heart; and more than likely, some do. But we must keep in mind that when we're born into Christ, we're born into a new kingdom. We are citizens of the kingdom of Heaven, sent to advance that kingdom against the kingdoms of this world, which are all inherently corrupt.

2. THE BIBLE WARNS AGAINST CONSPIRACY OBSESSION

The prophet Isaiah served as God's messenger during a very traumatic time in Judah's history. In the midst of political unrest and panic, the rumors of alliances and enemies forming within surrounding nations were abounding, leading Isaiah to pen these words from the Lord, “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it." (Isaiah 8:12)

The reality is conspiracy is addictive; it's hard to put down once you partake. That's partly because of how much fear and anxiety it causes within the human psyche. We're gluttons for punishment. The box office continues to see widespread success for horror, gore, and thrill - you know, the films that make your heart stop about once every 15 minutes or so.

We're drawn to darkness, even if it's fabricated. Conspiracy theories scratch the same itch. They lead us down rabbit holes of questioning everything and everyone we've ever known.

Even during a time of intense turmoil, when there certainly WAS a lot to be concerned about, God instructed His people, through Isaiah, to stop entertaining every theory that floated across their dinner table.

It was almost certain that some of what they feared was true, but knowing it and agonizing over it bore no fruit in their lives. In the same way, it's likely that at least one of your favorite theories has some truth to it (hopefully not the bird one, all you birdwatchers would feel silly). Yet obsessing over it will never bear the fruit of peace, joy, or self-control because, once again, it's not our knowledge of the enemy's plots that bring us salvation, but rather our knowledge of Jesus.

3. THE BIBLE WARNS US AGAINST ARGUING ABOUT CONSPIRACY THEORIES

In his second letter to the young leader Timothy, the Apostle Paul writes, "Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly." (2 Timothy 2:16) Paul gets specific about what "godless chatter" he is referring to: the teaching of a couple of fellas named Hymenaeus and Philetus. Hym and Phil had started their own cult following by telling everyone that the resurrection had actually already happened. Surely they were only a few months away from passing out the koolaid.

What was at the root of their teaching? "You've been lied to." Another conspiracy had taken captive the hearts of believers who weren't satisfied with knowing Jesus, but rather had become obsessed with knowing what could possibly be hidden from them. And what does Paul instruct Timothy to do about them? Ignore them. Don't partake in the godless, worthless, time-wasting chatter.

When you hear the comment section beckoning you to come and join the back and forth, remember the wise words of Nehemiah, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” (Nehemiah 6:3)

Paul also tells Timothy to "keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen." (2 Timothy 2:14) Our obsession with things that are not eternal and bear no spiritual significance isn't just a detriment to us, but also to those who listen to and are influenced by us. As followers of Christ we have a responsibility to the people around us to make MUCH of Jesus and little of much else. When our feeds, conversations, and bumper stickers say more about how we vote or what podcasts we listen to than who we serve, we're off course. It's not uncommon to get off course in the Christian life. It's why the scriptures admonish us so often to come back to center. When you recognize a drift from the main thing in your life, course correct and get back to it; we will all have to learn how to do this.

CONCLUSION

Are you ready for my conspiracy theory? Here it is: I think the greatest conspiracy is not what the government is hiding from you, but rather what you're hiding from God. These theories all have one thing in common: someone is hiding something. But here is the ultimate truth: we're ALL hiding something. We're all Adam and Eve hiding in the garden because we fell for the lie that God was hiding something from us.

God withholds no good thing from us. Much of our obsession with conspiracy theories comes not only from an inherit tendency to question everything, but from an even deeper longing to know the truth, which is Jesus. You were made to delight in the truth, but truth is not information, nor is it facts and reports. Truth is a person. His name is Jesus and He will expose all deeds done in darkness. He will judge, not just nations and governments, but also every individual.

So, rather than concerning ourselves with what everyone else is hiding, we have to start asking ourselves, what are we hiding? What in my heart am I not allowing God to have? What in my life brings distance between He and I? THAT is a conspiracy I want to expose.