By Angela Wittman
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. - Genesis 11: 1-9, KJV
As a Christian active in political and cultural endeavors, I've had much contact with those who believe and inform others of what is commonly referred to as "Conspiracy Theories." I don't question their sincerity, nor do I ridicule their belief in conspiracies as we have ample Scriptural proof that conspiracies have existed since the downfall of man in the Garden of Eden.
Just as Scripture gives examples of groups of people conspiring against God and His people, it also points us to the Sovereign LORD as the One who laughs at and destroys plots to overthrow His plans:
I wonder if Christians who sincerely seek to expose and warn others of conspiracies aren't in danger of unintentionally making the conspirators into idols; not that they actually bow down and worship the wicked, but instead place too much emphasis upon them and their dirty deeds with spending vast amounts of time and resources studying them.
It has been said that one must know his enemy in order to defeat him. But where exactly did this saying originate? A quick web search attributes it to The Art of War by Sun Tzu. While this may be an acceptable strategy for men and women of the world to use, how does it measure up to Scripture?
The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians, chapter 10, verse 4 (1599 Geneva Bible) that "the weapons of our warfare are not (1)carnal, but mighty through (2)God to cast down holds" and he continues in verse 5 to instruct us to be "Casting down the imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, (1)and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,". The 1599 Geneva Bible study note for verse 4, note 2 says we are to "Stand upon that infinite power of God." [Amen!] and continues to explain for verse 5, note 1 "An amplification of this spiritual virtue, which in such sort conquereth the enemies be they never so crafty and mighty, that it bringeth some of them repentance unto Christ, and justly revengeth others, that are stubbornly obstinate, separating them from the others which suffer themselves to be ruled."
Paul also tells us in Ephesians, chapter 1 that he prays this for believers:
Please don't miss this point: Paul is praying for our understanding to be enlightened with the knowledge of God's calling, the riches of the glory of Christ's inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe. Isn't this the knowledge the Christian is to pursue and focus his attention on? Please also take note that Paul is affirming Christ now sits at the Father's right hand and that He is "far above all principality", "power, and might and dominion." He proclaims that God has put "all things under his (Christ's) feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the church."
There are an abundance of Scriptures which tell us of the Sovereignty of the Lord and to take refuge in Him. Jesus Christ really is King and truly sits at the right hand of the Father NOW; this isn't some event to take place in the future.
Please be blessed as you mediate upon Psalm 47:
In conclusion, there's no doubt that the Sovereignty of the LORD triumphs over all the plots and conspiracies of the wicked. Let us take refuge in Him and while we know the wicked plot - it is in vain! Let us not question His Sovereignty, but instead let's sing His praises with understanding and exalt His Name:
~Psalm 72C st. 12, The Book of Psalms for Singing
Revised and updated 6.09.2015
And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. - Genesis 11: 1-9, KJV
As a Christian active in political and cultural endeavors, I've had much contact with those who believe and inform others of what is commonly referred to as "Conspiracy Theories." I don't question their sincerity, nor do I ridicule their belief in conspiracies as we have ample Scriptural proof that conspiracies have existed since the downfall of man in the Garden of Eden.
Just as Scripture gives examples of groups of people conspiring against God and His people, it also points us to the Sovereign LORD as the One who laughs at and destroys plots to overthrow His plans:
1Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.
5Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
8Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
9Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
10Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
11Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
- Psalm 2, KJV
I wonder if Christians who sincerely seek to expose and warn others of conspiracies aren't in danger of unintentionally making the conspirators into idols; not that they actually bow down and worship the wicked, but instead place too much emphasis upon them and their dirty deeds with spending vast amounts of time and resources studying them.
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| The Art of War by Sun Tzu |
It has been said that one must know his enemy in order to defeat him. But where exactly did this saying originate? A quick web search attributes it to The Art of War by Sun Tzu. While this may be an acceptable strategy for men and women of the world to use, how does it measure up to Scripture?
The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians, chapter 10, verse 4 (1599 Geneva Bible) that "the weapons of our warfare are not (1)carnal, but mighty through (2)God to cast down holds" and he continues in verse 5 to instruct us to be "Casting down the imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, (1)and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,". The 1599 Geneva Bible study note for verse 4, note 2 says we are to "Stand upon that infinite power of God." [Amen!] and continues to explain for verse 5, note 1 "An amplification of this spiritual virtue, which in such sort conquereth the enemies be they never so crafty and mighty, that it bringeth some of them repentance unto Christ, and justly revengeth others, that are stubbornly obstinate, separating them from the others which suffer themselves to be ruled."
Paul also tells us in Ephesians, chapter 1 that he prays this for believers:
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Please don't miss this point: Paul is praying for our understanding to be enlightened with the knowledge of God's calling, the riches of the glory of Christ's inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe. Isn't this the knowledge the Christian is to pursue and focus his attention on? Please also take note that Paul is affirming Christ now sits at the Father's right hand and that He is "far above all principality", "power, and might and dominion." He proclaims that God has put "all things under his (Christ's) feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the church."
There are an abundance of Scriptures which tell us of the Sovereignty of the Lord and to take refuge in Him. Jesus Christ really is King and truly sits at the right hand of the Father NOW; this isn't some event to take place in the future.
Please be blessed as you mediate upon Psalm 47:
1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
2 For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.
3 He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.
4 He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.
5 God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.
9 The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.
In conclusion, there's no doubt that the Sovereignty of the LORD triumphs over all the plots and conspiracies of the wicked. Let us take refuge in Him and while we know the wicked plot - it is in vain! Let us not question His Sovereignty, but instead let's sing His praises with understanding and exalt His Name:
"And blessed be His glorious name,
Long as the ages shall endure.
O'er all the earth extend his fame;
Amen, amen, for evermore."
~Psalm 72C st. 12, The Book of Psalms for Singing
Revised and updated 6.09.2015
Certainly the dispelling of deception and the refutation of lies falls under the purview of:
ReplyDelete"Casting down the imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ"
American Christians are very gullible when it comes to lies that are promulgated for political purposes. As Christians, we should make every effort to escape the delusion of the one "which deceiveth the whole world".
wayimp, that verse is being misused. 2 Cor 10:5 makes it clear that Paul is speaking of spiritual delusions, hence the emphasis of "casting down" what is "is exalted against the knowledge of God." That's in an entirely spiritual context, as the previous verse shows. It's not giving the OK to go attacking various conspiracies in society. There's a big difference between something that seeks to replace God and, say, trying to prove the Holocaust didn't happen.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I once heard an interview, that someone was asked if they believed in curses. He replied he believes in the merit one puts in a curse. Therefore your statement that Christians and people in general are seeking the wrong direction, putting too much effort and merit to conspiracy theories. Instead of searching conspiracy theories maybe we should be reflecting on our own selves and our relationship with God. Not saying we should be totally unaware of these atrocities, real or made up, but put our effort to making ourselves One with God, His Will, His Timing, and His Grace.
ReplyDelete