Who remembers watching the End Times movies during the 80’s?
As a young girl, they terrified me and gave me great anxiety about the future. Looking back, I wonder at the wisdom of Christian leaders/pastors in that era who used fear of the Tribulation as a means to herd people into Heaven. It’s always disturbed me.
Fear is a shortcut - a lazy method of coercing others to do what we want quickly rather than taking the time to appeal to their intellect or reason. Its effectiveness makes it tempting to use to accomplish our goals.
We see this at work today in our modern media all the time, but especially in the last few months during the Covid-19 pandemic. The fear of ‘what if.....’ is used to manipulate the public all the time.
But I also see another trend happening among believers that concerns me, and that is a tendency of embracing conspiracy theories.
Because we’ve grown up with one eye on Revelations, we are a suspicious lot. We mistrust the government (not without good cause at times) and live constantly waiting for the shoe to drop and our freedoms and rights to be taken away. Because we distrust all things ‘mainstream’, we find it easy to embrace conspiracy theories that fit into our worldview.
But here’s the thing I have observed: whether you buy into mainstream news or into conspiracy theories, the result seems to be the same: a spirit of fear.
Conspiracy theorist are afraid their rights will be taken away, their children will be taken away, forced vaccination, mark of the beast, and anything with an electronic chip, etc. When these topics are discussed, there is a palpable sense of fear. I know. Because I’ve been there.
I’ve been the one who stayed up late at night, googling all sorts of crazy theories. And I can honestly attest that it did not add any value to my life. I do not relish talking about this and risk offending my friends and family, but I am concerned because I know how easily conspiracy theories can be all-consuming and slowly drain you of the ability to focus on Christ and the life He has called you to live.
I’m not concerned if you believe conspiracy theories, but I am concerned when they lead us to abandon our calling as Christians to pursue rabbit trails leading to nowhere. We are called to ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart’ and to ‘love your neighbour’, but I’m not convinced we can disappear down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories and still fulfill the Great Commandment. Who has the time for both?
You may say, “But I am pursuing truth.”
Pursuing truth leads to freedom not fear. If fear is the fruit of conspiracy theories, then we must question if it is wise to partake of them. Anything that stands between me and what God has called me to do and who He has called me to be is a stumbling block. I must consider this when I decide how to spend my time and the precious few brain cells God has given me.
As Christians, we are not called to live a life of fear. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (1 Timothy 1:7 KJV)
Once fear takes root, we lose our ability to reason with facts and, instead, live on frayed emotions. Worse, it plays on our selfishness. We close shop, go home, draw the curtains, shut the door, and protect ourselves at all cost. We no longer care about our neighbour down the street; our concern is only for ourselves.
Fear prevents us from loving our neighbour.
You may say, “I’m not scared of the virus!”
Good for you! How then will you use your fearlessness? Will you use it to serve yourself or others?
If you don’t live in fear, might I suggest you sign up through your church or local organization to deliver groceries for those who are immunocompromised, elderly, or perhaps, themselves, afraid? Goodness knows, we need those who are willing to serve during this time!
I’m not overly worried about the virus, but I am concerned how my actions will appear to those I am trying to witness to. How will I gain their trust if I appear reckless?
At the end of the day, we have Kingdom work to do, and our time is short. Ephesians 5:16 reminds us to ‘redeem the time because the days are evil.”
And that’s just the thing: the days are evil, always have been, always will be....BUT, God is at still work in amazing and powerful ways. He is more than able to work in evil circumstances! As one Bible professor used to say: '“when people are at their worst, God is at his best.” It would be a shame to miss out on what He is doing in our generation by focusing on things that may or may not be true.
As 2 Timothy 1:23 wisely reminds us “don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.” So here are a few things to consider when listening to the news or latest conspiracy theory:
Is the source reliable?
In Deuteronomy, we read that 2-3 witnesses were required before charges could be laid against a person. Don’t rush to believe everything you hear: sit on it: pray about it: search for more information from a different angle, find multiple ‘witnesses’. Sharing unverifiable information is no different than gossiping.
Does this help me do the work God has called me to do?
If you can’t answer that positively, consider that it’s not the best use of your time. If it creates fear and anxiety within you, it could be a stumbling block that needs to be removed. Make no mistake; God created YOU for such a time as this! In Him and through Him, you have everything you need to live these uncertain days! He has called you to a holy work, don’t allow yourself to be sidetracked.
How is God glorified in this?
I’ve heard many conversations on various aspects of the pandemic, self-isolation, conspiracy theories, etc among Christians online. But very few mention Jesus. Sometimes we are so busy discussing everything about life that we forget about the ONE who gives life! Do your conversations make room to discuss God’s goodness? God’s sovereignty? God’s kindness?
God is going to take this pandemic and use it for good. That is His promise to us. We need to continue giving Him honour, glory, and praise in the middle of the uncertainty.
Final Thoughts
I’m not convinced we are meant to know the truth of ALL things. Isn’t that what got Eve into trouble in the garden in the beginning? Satan convinced Eve to eat the fruit saying, “God knows that when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” He wasn’t entirely wrong. “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was…….desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband and he ate it. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they realized they were naked.” (Genesis 3)
Not all knowledge is meant to be ours.
Eve did gain knowledge, but it was knowledge she was never meant to have.
I’m at peace with the fact that I may never know the full truth of the Coronavirus and all surrounding theories. I also don’t think I need to know these things in order to live a life that is pleasing to God. I am content knowing He is at work doing mighty things, and that He is with me in every moment of every day.
We are His children living in the palm of His hand. We do not fear because we are brave, but because He is with us and will never leave or forsake us. Cling to His promises, let go of everything else that doesn’t matter.
“Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Photo courtesy of Unsplash