The Bible is the Word of God, its foundation being Truth itself. Consequently, we can place unwavering trust in its contents, secure in the knowledge that it is incapable of deceit. In contrast, this assurance is often missing when it comes to people’s remarks, especially those concerning conspiracy theories.
To understand this better, let’s first define certain terms. A conspiracy is a secret plan made by individuals with the intention of committing unlawful or harmful acts. A conspiracy theory, then, is an attempt to explain or predict harmful or tragic events. Such theories often present an alternate explanation to the accepted narrative, implicating a small group of people or an organization with malevolent intentions in executing these clandestine plots. Interestingly, these plots might even be conducted openly, disguised as normal public events. However, it is crucial to note that a conspiracy theory remains just that—a theory. The credibility of these theories can differ significantly, ranging from baseless speculation to proven facts that reveal the foresight and logical reasoning of their proponents. Still, the trustworthiness of these theories can often be questionable.
In contrast to the evolving nature of conspiracies and their theories, God’s truth is unchanging and eternal. This permanence is why God’s Word was delivered in its complete form, with a clear directive that nothing more be added to it. This enduring constancy is what allows His truth to stand the test of time.
In our current era, characterized by growing anxiety, uncertainty, and doubt, people are increasingly drawn to conspiracy theories. These theories offer a superficial sense of understanding and control amidst the chaos of the world. By providing explanations for adverse occurrences, they give an illusion of control over events that are, in reality, beyond our grasp.
Given this context, we face a pertinent question: How should a follower of God’s Word navigate a world brimming with alleged conspiracies and conspiracy theories? The overwhelming amount of information we receive can make it challenging to reach a sensible conclusion. One person’s truth may be perceived as another’s conspiracy theory, and strongly held beliefs are sometimes dismissed as unfounded. In such a scenario, what should a believer do? The answer is straightforward—turn to the unwavering guidance of God’s Word.
It is clear that the term “conspiracy theory,” as we know it today, does not appear in the Bible. However, the concept of a conspiracy is mentioned in several instances in modern translations (e.g., II Samuel 15:12, I Kings 16:16, 20; II Kings 11:14, 12:20, 14:19, 15:15, 30, 17:4; Isaiah 8:12; Jeremiah 11:9; Ezekiel 22:25; Amos 7:10). A notable reference is in Isaiah 8:12, where God, speaking through His prophet, provides guidance to His people during a political crisis:
You are not to say, “It is a conspiracy!” regarding everything that this people call a conspiracy.
In this verse, the Hebrew word translated as “conspiracy” (qeser) signifies treason, rebellion, or a deliberate act of defiance against authority aimed at establishing a new political power. This word is closely related to qasar, meaning to tie, bind, or join. This implies a bond among those involved in a conspiracy. Remember this nuance when interpreting the text.
Now, to understand Isaiah 8:12 correctly, it is essential to consider the historical context. At this stage in biblical history, the land of Israel was divided into two separate kingdoms: Israel to the north and Judah to the south. This division stemmed from sin and rebellion against God, leading the once-united kingdom of Israel to split. Specifically, it was the sin of unbelief that brought about this judgment and division. Isaiah chapters 8-13 present a comprehensive discourse, focusing on the impending doom that was to befall the northern kingdom of Israel. What was the reason for this impending destruction? Once more, the answer is sin. And who were the instruments of God’s judgment? The Assyrians, whose ancient lands now fall within the borders of present-day Iraq. Isaiah’s prophecies were set during a period when the Assyrian empire was on the rise, expanding its territory by conquering numerous lands. However, the Lord proclaimed that although the Assyrian king would greatly disturb the kingdom of Judah—unlike the northern kingdom—he would not destroy it. These chapters offer a message of hope and assurance, promising abundant provision for those who revered God in these perilous times.
Historically, it is important to note that while the Assyrians had ambitious plans for the western lands, both Aram (modern-day Syria) and Israel actively waged war against Jerusalem (see Isaiah 7:1), located in the southern kingdom of Judah. Specifically, the Arameans and Israelites formed an alliance against Judah to compel a political union. Aware of Assyria’s formidable strength, the kings of Aram and Israel were attempting to convince Judah’s king, Ahaz, to join their coalition against the Assyrian threat. From their perspective, it was more advantageous to face Assyria as a united front of three rather than just two. In this critical moment, Isaiah steps in to counsel King Ahaz against forming an alliance with Assyria (II Kings 16:5-18; II Chronicles 28:16-21). Isaiah, as the voice of God, advises, “Don’t let the dual threat of Aram and Israel cause you to fear. Don’t put your trust in the Assyrians to save you. Don’t fear secular power or military might. Instead, trust in the Lord, for I will deliver those who depend on Me.”
This was the situation in which prophet Isaiah was speaking as he warned against a conspiracy. On one side, Isaiah addressed the immediate crisis facing Ahaz and his kingdom caused by the threatening alliance between Aram and Israel. On the other side, he cautioned King Ahaz against engaging in a plot with Assyria to form a counter-alliance, as this would constitute treason—a conspiracy against God himself. In the broader context of God’s covenant with His people, Isaiah’s message was clear: the appropriate response to Israel’s punishment for their unbelief should not be met with further acts of unbelief.
In Isaiah 8:9-15, prophet Isaiah declares:
Be broken, you peoples, and be shattered; and listen, all remote places of the earth. Get ready, yet be shattered; get ready, yet be shattered. Devise a plan, but it will fail; state a proposal, but it will not stand, for God is with us.
For so 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!’ regarding everything that this people call a conspiracy, and you are not to fear what they fear or be in dread of it. It is the Lord of armies whom you are to regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, and He shall be your dread. Then He will become a sanctuary; but to both houses of Israel, He will be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Many will stumble over them, then they will fall and be broken; they will be snared and caught.”
When Isaiah speaks about a conspiracy, he is not referring to a covert plot for illegal or harmful activities, nor is he discussing a conspiracy theory offering alternative explanations for significant events. His counsel to the king and people in saying, “You are not to say, ‘It is a conspiracy!’” was to caution them against aligning with those openly planning or proposing an alliance with the Assyrians. His words also reflect the earlier mention that the Hebrew word for conspiracy implies a form of bonding. In our specific text, this bond pertains to the alliance formed between the kings of Aram and Israel. Moreover, Isaiah explains to the king and the people the reason behind not getting involved in this apparent conspiracy: they should not fear people but rather fear (or revere) God.
Fear often stems from unbelief. In times of distress, it is vital for us to guard against fears that prioritize our personal safety over adherence to God’s Word. This safeguard involves both rejecting worldly viewpoints and embracing the truth revealed by God. Accordingly, Isaiah 8:11 relays a powerful message from the Lord:
For so the Lord spoke to me with mighty power and instructed me not to walk in the way of this people.
In other words, God was advising, “Do not think like unbelievers” or “Do not go along with what the world is saying,” since such thinking is fundamentally rooted in a lack of faith. Specifically, do not allow your mind to be consumed by the conspiracy so that seeking Assyrian assistance becomes an unquestionable action. Commentator Matthew Henry elaborates on Isaiah 8:11, explaining that God’s instruction to His people was not to think in this manner because:
There is a proneness in the best of men to be frightened at threatening clouds, especially when fears are epidemic. We are all too apt to walk in the way of the people we live among, though it be not a good way … Those whom God loves and owns he will instruct and enable to swim against the stream of common corruptions, particularly of common fears. He will find ways to teach his own people not to walk in the way of other people, but in a sober singularity … Corruption is sometimes so active in the hearts even of good men that they have need to be taught their duty with a strong hand, and it is God’s prerogative to teach so, for he only can give an understanding and overpower the contradiction of unbelief and prejudice. He can teach the heart; and herein none teaches like him.
Fear is highly contagious, often spreading more rapidly than even the flu. This contagious nature of fear emphasizes the importance for those rooted in God’s Word to steadfastly cling to His truth. After all, sinful fear can cause even the brave-hearted to waver. As expressed in Deuteronomy 20:8:
Who is the man that is afraid and fainthearted? Let him go and return to his house, so that he does not make his brothers’ hearts melt like his heart!
This scripture reminds us of the responsibility we have in our responses, being aware that our reactions can influence others.
When engaging with the Bible, it is crucial not to adopt an attitude of superiority over the saints of old. We should avoid judgmental thoughts like, “How could they do that? (I never would)” or “How could they react that way? (I would never do that).” The Bible is not a showcase of flawed people for us to feel more sanctified. We share the same human frailty as those in the Bible; thus, when we see their struggles, it is like looking into a mirror that reflects our own potential weaknesses.
My point is that, speaking in purely earthly terms and considering how the people of Judah in Isaiah 8 perceived the world, they would have accurately assessed that their armies were not relatively powerful; consequently, they would not have been able to contend with both Aram and Israel. Naturally, they yearned for a solution to assuage their anxieties and fears. If they did not secure assistance, would they not be ruined? Perhaps they were tempted to think, “With Aram united with Israel, what will become of us? Do we fight, flee, or simply surrender? The uncertainty of our future fills me with worry.”
Securing the support of an ally might have appeared as an ideal solution to Judah’s pressing problems. Based solely on earthly logic, it would have seemed rational to say, “Let’s conspire with the Assyrians.” However, this is precisely the point. While certain actions may seem wise at the moment, we must remember that we neither possess complete information nor can we foresee the consequences of our choices. This is why God, through His prophet, advised not to heed the advice of unrighteous men but to follow divine guidance. God alone is all-knowing, and only He can foresee the future. Therefore, when our omniscient and benevolent God advises, “Don’t follow that path,” His guidance is infinitely superior to human wisdom.
This brings us to a relevant application regarding modern notions of conspiracies. We should not be overwhelmed or filled with anxiety over every unsettling event or minor disturbance. The world often becomes easily unsettled because its foundations are not firm. People react strongly to every perceived “threat,” with one declaring, “It’s a plot,” and another, “It’s a conspiracy.” As believers, we should not succumb to fear as the world does, for their sense of security is fragile and can collapse at any moment. Instead, as children of God, our trust should be placed in an unchanging, everlasting Rock.
In Isaiah 8:9-15, the prophet initially urges the people to abandon sinful fear, which represents worldly thinking, and to place their trust in God instead. Isaiah further shares how God taught him to resist unbelief: he comforts and encourages God’s people with the same assurances that he himself received. He invites the people to embrace a religious fear or a deep sense of divine reverence. Demonstrating the dual nature of God’s influence, Isaiah 8:13-15 states:
It is the Lord of armies whom you are to regard as holy. And He shall be your fear, and He shall be your dread. Then He will become a sanctuary; but to both houses of Israel, He will be a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, and a snare and a trap for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Many will stumble over them, then they will fall and be broken; they will be snared and caught.
Reflecting this sentiment, as Matthew Henry once observed:
“The believing fear of God is a special preservative against the disquieting fear of man. (c.f. I Peter 3:14-15)”
Just as fear emerges from unbelief, so too does a sacred sense of security and peace of mind spring from faith. This is the essence of what the prophet conveys when he describes the Lord as a sanctuary, a safe haven in a world overwhelmed by fear. When human concerns are magnified, and God’s presence is minimized, fear dominates. But the prophet reassures us: fear God, and you will not be gripped by earthly fears. Instead, you will discover your support, your hope, your protector, and your Savior. When God is emphasized, and human influence is seen in its true scale, the greatness of conspirators dims, and their power loses its intimidation.
God’s magnificence is unchanging, and His infinite glory remains constant. What fluctuates is our apprehension of His preeminence. To truly grasp the greatness of God, we require the Holy Spirit’s aid to reflect on His attributes through His Word, communicate with Him in prayer, and engage in fellowship with other believers. Personally, there are days when reading the Bible and prayer can feel routine and uninspired. However, hearing a fellow believer share the wondrous deeds God has performed for them can revitalize these divine truths, making them more discernible. This is because God’s loyalty is vividly demonstrated in the lives of those around us. Therefore, never forget the Lord, your Creator. Comfort from God is the natural outcome of remembering Him. Accordingly, in Isaiah 51:12-13, the Lord says:
I, I Myself, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you are afraid of mortal man, and of a son of man who is made like grass, that you have forgotten the Lord your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you fear continually all day long because of the fury of the oppressor, as he makes ready to destroy? And where is the rage of the oppressor?
I hope this discussion has provided you with a solid biblical perspective on how to approach the topic of conspiracies. Returning to the question posed earlier: How should a follower of God’s Word navigate a world brimming with alleged conspiracies and conspiracy theories? It is important to recognize that not all conspiracies are the same. Some conspiracy theories may indeed disguise hidden truths, their advocates having noticed something before it became apparent to others. Conversely, other conspiracies are malevolent and immoral, rooted in sin and aiming to perpetrate further evil. It is also possible for some individuals to become so obsessed with conspiracies that these theories turn into their idols. They become fixated only on human actions, disregarding God’s sovereignty. They might even believe it is their mission to validate these theories and persuade others of their viewpoint. It is essential not to let your mind be overwhelmed by such conspiracies.
When we take a broader view of reality, the verses in Isaiah 8 seem to encourage readers to consider both history and current events through a lens that acknowledges the overriding presence of conspiracies. This does not imply approaching news or the Bible with an overly suspicious mindset; rather, it suggests recognizing that conspiracies are a common occurrence. The mistake lies in assuming that there is a majority narrative with only minor conspiratorial activities by a few. From a biblical perspective, the world is seen as consistently conspiring against God, as exemplified by the unbelievers in Isaiah 8:12.
The Bible reveals that at the heart of all conspiracies is a larger, more sinister plot: the satanic scheme to undermine the kingdom of God. This satanic conspiracy traces back to the Garden of Eden, where the serpent enticed humans into rebelling against God. Essentially, every subsequent conspiracy aligns with this theme: the notion that humanity does not need God, that mankind can surpass God, and that humans can be their own saviors.
In the first two chapters of Genesis, God acknowledged the goodness of many things. Trouble arose, however, when Eve overlooked God’s command and decided for herself what was good. This decision by Adam and Eve to follow their own path, believing they would be fine, marked a significant turn in human history. Opting for “man saving man” often presents as altruistic on the surface (as implied by the temptation, “You will become like God,” in Genesis 3:5), but at its core, it is essentially a pursuit of power for a select few at the cost of others. Therefore, discussions around a “New World Order” often translate to an increase in secularism and a move away from godliness.
To conclude, I would like to share a profound quote from Richard Sibbes’ Works. In alignment with our theme of recognizing divine greatness, this quote highlights the role of the Spirit in embedding divine truths in our hearts:
The Spirit works in the soul together with the word of God. All men in the world cannot persuade the soul without the work of the Spirit. Paul preached, but God opened Lydia’s heart. God’s Spirit must open our eyes, persuade and convict our hearts … The Spirit enlightens the understanding … [God] persuades sweetly by the truth by showing a man the goodness of it, and its suitableness to our condition. He does not force the soul, but strongly persuades the soul so that for all the world he would not be of any other mind. The persuasions of the Spirit and the promises are stronger then the temptations of Satan and corruptions of the flesh. It is infinite mercy and goodness of God to reveal to our souls such excellent things. There is such inward rebellion and distrust in the soul that these things seem to be too good to be true. Considering our unworthiness, and the excellencies of these things, our unbelief is the greatest sin. Let us labor then that our knowledge is spiritual knowledge. With reverent and humble hearts let us implore the teaching of the Spirit to remove the veil as we read or hear the word of God. (italics mine)
Ultimately, nothing can overthrow God’s authority, so it is not our role to unravel human conspiracies. In Isaiah 8, the people, gripped by fear of earthly kings, contemplated forming an alliance with another ruler. However, as believers, our trust is in the supreme King of kings (Jesus), whose reign is eternally secure. Those who are united with Christ are already aligned with the victorious Lamb. Let us, therefore, avoid opposing the King through disbelief but rather acknowledge His supreme authority and serve Him with devoted love.
Dr. C. H. E. Sadaphal