Articles
Conspiracies
By definition a conspiracy is “an evil, unlawful, treacherous, or surreptitious plan formulated in secret by two or more persons; plot” (Dictionary.com).
David pleaded with God to protect him from those who “devise injustices, saying, ‘We are ready with a well-conceived plot’” (Ps. 64:6 NASB).
Have you thought about how many conspiracies are recorded in Scripture? For example:
►Joseph’s brothers plotted together against him (Gen. 37:18).
►Absalom, aided by supporters, conspired to seize the throne from his father David (2 Sam. 15).
►Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den as a result of his enemies’ scheming (Dan. 6).
►Mordecai exposed a plot by two men to kill the king of Persia, thus saving his life (Est. 2:21-23).
►The Jewish leaders “conspired against Him [Jesus], as to how they might destroy Him” (Matt. 12:14; see Matt. 26:3-4; John 11:47-53).
►When Paul’s nephew learned that 40+ men were plotting to take Paul out, he informed the Roman commander, who then took measures to keep him safe (Acts 23:12-13).
One doesn’t have to wear a tin foil hat to conclude that Satan is currently using specific groups and individuals to destroy our freedoms, foster chaos and division, and use propaganda to deceive the masses.
Of course, paranoid people with overly active imaginations may concoct conspiracy theories with no basis in fact. That being said, is it unreasonable to believe that there are and always have been major intrigues of a conspiratorial nature?
Discerning people should neither believe every claim they hear, nor dismiss every claim just because it sounds too bad to be true. Here is where careful investigation is needed, using credible sources to ferret out the truth, wherever it may lead.
If we aren’t aware of what’s really going on behind the scenes, how can we prepare ourselves to take counter-measures as Mordecai and Paul’s nephew did to expose real threats?
Because Gedaliah dismissed Johanan’s warning of an impending assassination attempt, he soon paid with his life as predicted (Jer. 40:13-16; 41:1-3).
So let’s avoid extremes: being gullible to every theory, or on the other hand, dismissive of every claim.
After Jesus’ resurrection, the authorities bribed the guards to say the disciples stole the body while they slept. Such nonsense might convince the credulous, but truth-seekers would see right through it (Matt. 28:11-15).
On the other hand, when Mordecai informed the king of the conspiracy to kill him, “the plot was investigated and found to be so . . . .” (Est. 2:23).
So, true or false? May God grant us wisdom to discern the difference.
