Conspiracy Facts

Conspiracy Facts

In an age of instant information, why do conspiracy theories continue to
thrive? These narratives of shadowy cabals plotting our downfall often stem
from paranoia—yet what if the ultimate conspiracy was hiding in plain sight,
confirmed by the Bible? Ephesians 6:12 uncovers a true conspiracy: "For we do
not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the
spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." This verse exposes a cosmic
conspiracy far more pervasive and potent than any human theory—a spiritual
battle that shapes our world in ways we rarely perceive.

Who are these conspirators who are working against us? The apostle Paul tells
us they're spiritual forces, not flesh and blood. They are spirit beings who are
operating in the visible world through invisible means. We can't fight them or
wrestle with them like we would a physical enemy, but we must face them on a
spiritual battlefield. Their obscurity allows unbelievers to deny their existence,
even when those forces are actively working through them!

Paul describes these conspirators as rulers, authorities, and powers. One
interpretation suggests that these terms refer to earthly powers under satanic
influence. The "heavenly places" they occupy could be understood as "high
places" of worldly authority. This rings true since we see the world's most
powerful institutions actively working to undermine godly values. It's not
hard to notice the anti-God agenda pushed by government, education, and
media when it's in our laws, textbooks, and television commercials.

Alternatively, these "rulers, authorities, and powers" may represent a
hierarchy of spiritual beings. This interpretation gains credence from Paul's
explicit exclusion of "flesh and blood" adversaries. If this is the case, that
means there are enough of these conspirators to require a command structure!
There are generals, lieutenants, and foot soldiers in this spiritual army, and
this vast, wide reaching conspiracy is absolutely out to get you. What can be
done against such a formidable foe?

Ephesians 6 gives us instructions on how to fight back. First, we have to
acknowledge our own limitations and our complete dependence on God. Paul
exhorts us to "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might"
(Ephesians 6:10). Our own strength isn't sufficient, so we rely on the Lord's.
God has the power to cast Satan and his angels into eternal fire (Matthew
25:41) so we can trust that "if God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans
8:31).

Second, Paul tells us to put on the whole armor of God. The goal of equipping
us with this armor is to give us the power to "withstand," or "stand firm."
Rather than fleeing or cowering in fear, we are to confidently hold our ground
in the face of our enemy. Each piece of this armor corresponds to a spiritual
truth or practice: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of
the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword
of the Spirit. By intentionally putting on these pieces each day, we will be
prepared for spiritual warfare, having "done all to stand." Paul is a great
example of one who has equipped himself to stand firm in the "evil days."
Amid persecution that felt like a death sentence, he relied on his spiritual
armor, and ultimately on God himself, to sustain him (2 Cor 1:9-10). In our
daily battles, we too can lean on God to protect us from any attack Satan may
hurl against us.

Yet spiritual warfare isn't solely defensive. God equips us with a powerful
offensive weapon: "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"
(Ephesians 6:17). As Hebrews 4:12 declares, it's "For the word of God is living
and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul
and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and

intentions of the heart." In 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Paul further describes its
power: "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine
power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion
raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey
Christ." By wielding God's Word we can take on our enemy, destroy their lies,
and expose the corruption in their hearts.

Complementing the armor of God, prayer serves as an important part of our
spiritual arsenal (v18). Through prayer, we gain access to God, who can
provide us with help when we are struggling, and protection when we feel
weak. Active communication with God is the foundation of our offense and
defense, and it empowers us to succeed in our spiritual battle. By integrating
prayer with each piece of spiritual armor, we ensure our stand against evil is
rooted in God's strength, not our own.

In a world rife with conspiracy theories, we've uncovered the ultimate
"conspiracy fact" — a cosmic spiritual battle revealed in Scripture. The Bible
exposes a real conspiracy of spiritual forces working against us; yet, far from
leaving us helpless, God equips us with spiritual armor and the power of
prayer to stand firm against these forces. If we do this, we don't just resist a
conspiracy—we participate in its ultimate defeat!

- Dan Harbin

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