The Truth about Conspiracies

For thus the LORD spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people, saying,

You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’

     In regard to all that this people call a conspiracy,

And you are not to fear what they fear and be in dread of it.

It is the LORD of hosts whom you should regard as holy.

And He shall be your fear,

And He shall be your dread.

Then he shall become a sanctuary;

But to both the houses of Israel, a stone to strike and a rock to stumble over,

A snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.” Isaiah 8:12-14,16

In spite of the fascination by conservative, or right-wing evangelicals with the latest in conspiracy theories, it is incumbent upon them to pay attention to the words of their Lord. Know who is behind the sore judgments in the land (Ezekiel 14, Rev. 6) and realize the purpose for which they were sent.

Daniel 4 and Amos 3 — and Ephesians 1:11 for that matter — remind us clearly how we are to view events in our world at any time. “The MOST HIGH is ruler over the realm of mankind, and bestows it on whom He wishes, And sets over it the lowliest of men.” (Dan. 4:17)

And, “If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people tremble; If evil occurs in a city has not the Lord done it?” (Amos 3:6)

Clearly, the LORD is the One who “works all things according to the counsel of His will.” (Eph. 1:11) Romans 8 underscores God’s purpose in working all things to the good, although only those who Love the LORD can see it this way.

Returning to our reflection on conspiracies, on which side of sacred history would we be found?

Is it the world powers of this darkness (Eph. 6) that we want to credit with shaping physical history, or is it the Living God who teaches righteousness when his judgments are in the world?

Herein, lies the serious pitfall of becoming obsessed with conspiracy theories, whether of global governance, medical plans, or virtually any other human plan designed to oppress or destroy any of God’s people. God does not want us to minimize His rulership and care for us by magnifying the small, doomed plans of human beings. He the Lord of Heaven and earth. Nothing can frustrate His plans for us.

Two psalms in particular help us to remain mindful of the vanity of human plans and the conspiracies breathed behind closed doors, Psalm 31 and Psalm 33. The solution lies not in studying the plans of the world powers of darkness and in working to overthrow them, but rather in taking refuge in God, firm in the knowledge that He frustrates the plans of the peoples.

If God nullifies the counsel of the nations, then why study their conspiratorial plans? They will soon be on the ash heap of history.

How great is thy goodness,

Which Thou hast stored up for those that fear Thee.

Which Thou hast wrought for those who take refuge in thee before the sons of men.

Thou dost hide them in the secret place of Thy presence from the conspiracies of men.

Thou dost keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues. – Psalm 31:19-20

The LORD nullifies the counsel of the nations;

He frustrates the plans of the peoples.

The counsel of the LORD stands forever,

The plans of His heart from generation to generation. – Psalm 33:10-11

Returning to the main theme of conspiracy, the crushing realization stands in plain view, and why the instructions to Isaiah are God’s exhortation to us all:

“Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy.”

In short, it profanes the NAME of the LORD — that is, the honor, the glory, the reputation of God is slandered by all this focus on the conspiracies of the world. Such talk is truly a sin, because it denies the Father’s sovereignty over all things and all spirits in Heaven and on earth. It denies God as Lord and MOST HIGH over the realm of mankind.

Such preoccupation with the creation argues against the testimony sealed by His disciples, that God’s plans endure forever, and are not affected by the counsel of the nations which God nullifies. As the Father guards and protects us, it is an insult to turn the tables and ascribe any power to those who conspire; we are hidden from their plans by God, and moreover, He nullifies their plans! Thus, we call God a liar when we repeat conspiracy theories as if they will come to pass. They are part and parcel of God working “all things” according to the counsel of His will.

Finally, we SIN against the Father when we do not love Him with all our heart and mind and soul and strength. This is the First Great Commandment as Jesus taught it. We do not love God if we teach that mankind’s plans can be sovereign over God’s plans.

Isaiah is replete with statements to the effect that God will accomplish all He desires.

And Paul teaches the community of Christ that God is the blessed and only Sovereign (1 Tim. 6:15).

I charge you in the presence of God who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, , who in His testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time — he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be the honor and eternal dominion. Amen.       1 Tim. 6:11-16

In view of this word of God, I exhort you, brothers and sisters, not to give into temptation and call conspiracy all that the nations call conspiracy. Instead keep the commandment to love God free from stain, and defend the honor and eternal dominion, by ascribing to the Lord all command over events in the world, realizing that if there is evil in the city, He has brought it about to teach righteousness to the peoples.

It is the Lord of Hosts you should regard as Holy, Him you should fear, and THEN He shall become your sanctuary.

To Him be all honor and glory and praise, forever. Amen.