Truth or Consequence
Leadership in Context with Keith Tucci
Episode 127
When Paul was in jail awaiting execution, he wrote to Timothy what I call the New Testament proverbs (e.g., how to lead the church). The very first thing he instructed Timothy in was how to deal with conspiracy theories.
1 Timothy 1:2-3
To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines…
His first command was to not let these guys teach strange doctrines.
1 Timothy 1:4
…nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.
Here’s the Keith Tucci version of that: Timothy, preach what you do know. Preach what is sure. Preach what is clear. Do not waste time speculating on what we are not sure of. Don’t let anyone else do it either.
This is an issue of tickling the ear. There are a lot of things that are interesting. The Bible, over and over again, warns us not to get speculative about so many things because it takes our attention. It dis-tracks us. It causes us to lose traction.
We lose credibility--not just in the Church, but in the world--when we haven’t stuck to the preaching of the Bible. We’ve gotten distracted.
Be wary of speculations. Paul tells Timothy not to give them a pulpit in the church and don’t let your leaders tolerate people in the congregation leading people astray with all of these speculations. It is amazing how intelligent people can get distracted. (My wife’s doctor told her this week that he believes that President Biden is a clone!)
Air exists in the vacuum of Truth. We have to emphasize the Truth.
Are there conspiracies? Yes. Are there worldwide conspiracies? Yes. Human nature tells you that’s impossible because people can’t keep secrets. Do you think that all of these ungodly people with their wicked agendas will be able to keep a secret? Do you think that when one of these people gets offended or has a fall out or quits, that they won’t spill the beans? It’s human nature that they would.
We need to be familiar with the Truth. We need to be very clear on the Truth. When we are talking about things, are we edifying people or are we putting more questions in their mind, making them more unstable, more fearful?
The New Living Translation says, “Don’t talk about things that waste people’s time.” If you are spending a lot of time listening to these conspiracy theories, shut it off. Help yourself. Renew your mind with the Word of God.
The very first direction that Paul gave to Timothy was to stop the speculations and to not pay heed to endless talk where people are trying to build their case and connect facts that don’t exist without any way to verify them.
We are to pray that all things will come to light. You can pray that way without being distracted. If someone has a conspiracy, why would I take information from them? That’s like people who want to talk to the devil and ask him questions. It’s not like the father of lies is going to give you truthful answers.
God wants the gospel to be reliable. God wants the gospel to be sound. God wants the gospel to be consistent. In order for that to happen, you and I have to be consistent with it. Focus on what we do know and not on what we don’t know. Don’t waste your time researching things (even if you get a thrill out of it) that the Bible says to not waste your time on.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
Confusion comes by hearing and hearing by the word of the conspiratorialist.
Join us next week as Keith Tucci continues to put leadership truth in the context of the local church. And as always, please like, share, rate/review, and invite others to listen. See you next week!
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