Isaiah 8:12-13 (NIV) – 12 “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. 13 The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.
Isaiah 8:12-13 (Message Bible) –“Don’t be like this people, always afraid somebody is plotting against them. Don’t fear what they fear. Don’t take on their worries. 13 If you’re going to worry, worry about The Holy. Fear God-of-the-Angel-Armies.
Conspiracy theories have the same structure. It is a belief that some secret forces are controlling events in their favor. It is a belief that what we see is not the whole truth. It is a belief that there are people more powerful than governments and all armies. People who meet secretly meet and control even obvious activities. A conspiracy theory instills fear and helplessness. You fear what is happening and you can’t do anything!
Many movies and novels are based on conspiracy theories. The viewer and reader end up afraid and helpless. One goes around suspicious, afraid, and helpless.
Conspiracy theories around politics. Conspiracy theories around health matters such as pandemics and vaccines. Conspiracy theories about geopolitical activity and religious realignment. Conspiracy theories in business successes and failures. At the end it’s fear and helplessness!
Conspiracy theories are plausible because they have some truths. Conspiracy theories gain mileage because many activities require some private arrangements before public action. The difference is conspiracy theories take it to an extreme level to instill fear and helplessness.
A conspiracy theory that doesn’t instill fear and helplessness is fake. A conspiracy theory will spread faster and wider if it explains current phenomenon and then instills fear and helplessness.
Human beings can’t know everything. Therefore human beings develop conspiracy theories to cover up for what they can’t know or get answers. Conspiracy theories are as old as humanity.
The Bible verse we have cited today is on conspiracy theories. Prophet Isaiah is sent by God to tell the people to fear God more than they fear conspiracy theories. Don’t call everything conspiracy. Don’t yield to fear that comes from conspiracy theories.
Isaiah 8:12-13 (NIV) – 12 “Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. 13 The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.
The most famous Bible study and prophecy teachers are those who expose the so called conspiracies. The attendant fear is gripping and the lessons spread. Yet, God’s prophetic word was brought to us to give hope that it won’t be long we will be victorious. But conspiracy based lessons leave church members afraid and helpless. This fear and helplessness makes it spread like wild fire!
God through Isaiah tells us to fear God more than conspiracy theories. Even if rich people are conspiring to destroy the world, will they succeed without God? Can anything happen without God’s approval? Shouldn’t we fear God more than the shady characters behind this theories?
Matthew 10:29-31 (NIV) – 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
A sparrow is small and cheap but it can’t die unless God approves. Aren’t we worth more than sparrows? If God gives permission for sparrows to fall, can’t He give permission before vaccinations kill all of us? Can’t He give permission before secret forces make us all poor? Can’t He give permission before medications and food make the whole population impotent?
If God is the final determinant of what happens, isn’t He therefore more powerful than anyone conspiracy theorists want us to fear? Why fear secret unknown people when my loving God has the final say? That is why in our main text today, Isaiah writes that only God should be feared and not conspiracies.
You plan to kill me, but God is the one who will finally decide if you succeed or fail in killing me. Should I fear you or God? With all your secret wicked agenda, none will happen unless God approves. To fear you is balderdash, it’s nonsense, it’s foolishness. To fear God is wisdom.
Conspiracy theories about a village witch killing successful people. Conspiracy theories about people who have taken the church hostage. Conspiracy theories about people planning to finish all Africans. Conspiracy theories about this or that. Whether true or not doesn’t matter, if we believe that God still runs this world and has a final say.
Consumption and distribution of conspiracy theories is countering God’s message of hope in His plans and power. God tells Isaiah to reject the conspiracy theories and refuse to be afraid. May God help us to reject conspiracy theories and refuse to be afraid. God will have the final say. In Jesus’s name, Amen!
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Amen!
Amen!