Here is one just thought that could change your life: When King David was told that his wise counselor, Ahithophel, had joined a conspiracy against him, he prayed,
“O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”
The following is adapted from the book 12 Ways You Can Make a Difference in This Crazy, Mixed-up World
Let’s face it: conspiracy theories abound. (Aren’t you a little weary of conspiracy theories?) Whether it was “the vast right wing conspiracy theory” (popularized by Hillary Clinton) or the unfounded “Trump-Russia conspiracy theory” propounded by Robert Mueller, naïve people believed it.[i] After the assassination attempt on former president Trump in 2024, conspiracy theories kicked into high gear because accurate information was apparently withheld. So what should you do when you hear another shocking theory behind the events of the day?
Conspiracy theories are not new.
Conspiracy theories are not new. In 1793, Jedidiah Morse preached a message warning that the Bavarian Illuminati would destroy the Republic. 
This was echoed by Thomas Paine. According to John B. Boles, the preachers and political writers of that time were trying to figure out why the French Revolution spiraled out of control.[ii] They accepted the speculations of French and Scottish writers that the Illuminati was the cause.
Conspiracy theories help us to understand our struggle for understanding
That is an especially important historical note: when people tried to figure out why the political and social climate of France declined so quickly, they turned to conspiracy theories. As we wrestle with the significant decline in our own nation, it would be easy for us to try to explain this decline with conspiracy theories.
But this struggle for understanding highlights the significant difference between the American Revolution and the French Revolution. America was blessed with remarkable revivals through the ministry of godly Christian preachers. They preached about the reality of each man’s sin and the glories of salvation through Christ alone. It is easy to demonstrate that that those were times of special outpourings of the Holy Spirit upon a needy people. And those revivals made all the difference between the American and French revolutions.
America was blessed with remarkable revivals through the ministry of godly Christian preachers.
Conspiracy Theories and Antisemitism
One of the most troubling aspects of conspiracy theories is that they are easily manipulated by those who seek to use them for their own purposes. For instance, antisemitism is rife with conspiracy theories. As Yair Rosenberg wrote, “The more conspiratorial discourse your society has, the more likely people will become anti-Semites.”[iii]
Writing for Vox Jane Coaston put it this way:
“An environment where conspiracy theories flourish and find new ground is the perfect environment for anti-Semitism itself to flourish and find new acolytes. Anti-Semitism is a distinct form of hate, one deeply rooted in conspiracies about the role Jewish people play in shaping public life.”[iv]
To verify what they wrote, think about this: within the week after the attempted assassination of former President Trump, there were videos on YouTube blaming the shooting on Jews.
But those who search the Scriptures have a better grasp on how to respond to conspiracy theories. But more importantly, God’s people know how what to do in the face of genuine conspiracies.
What does the Bible say about conspiracy theories?
The prophet Isaiah testified,
For the Lord spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not say, ‘A conspiracy,’ concerning all that this people call a conspiracy, nor be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled. The Lord of hosts, Him you shall hallow; Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.”[v]
Conspiracy theories naturally cause people to be fearful. But if believers are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, we must use discernment. The Lord told Isaiah not to be afraid of what the conspiracy theorists feared. No, by the fear of God, the fears of conspiracies are put to rest. When we revere God’s name, we will see that the fear of God is our greatest fortress. This is the right approach even when others try to show you “evidence” of conspiracies. For instance, in his 2003 Memoirs, David Rockefeller wrote,
“For more than a century, ideological extremists at either end of the political spectrum have seized upon well-publicized incidents such as my encounter with Castro to attack the Rockefeller family for the inordinate influence they claim we wield over American political and economic institutions. Some even believe we are part of a secret cabal working against the best interests of the United States, characterizing my family and me as ‘internationalists’ and of conspiring with others around the world to build a more integrated global political and economic structure — one world, if you will. If that is the charge, I stand guilty, and I am proud of it.”[vi]
But here is the significant question: Do you believe about these people what they believe about themselves? Don’t! A careful reading of the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation will show that Satan himself will not be able to hold together his one-world conspiracy. Yet according to 2 Thessalonians 2:9-11, one of Satan’s greatest powers is lying deception and delusion. In other words, his influence is rooted in tricking believers into believing that he has far more power than he actually has. Don’t believe it.
But here is the significant question: Do you believe about these people what they believe about themselves? Don’t!
So should God’s people merely ignore conspiracies, or is there a better way? Consider the approach that King David took when faced with a genuine conspiracy led by his son, Absalom.
Here is “just one thought” that you could use when you are confronted by conspiracy theories or genuine conspiracies. Pray like David: “O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”
What to do when you face genuine conspiracies
So David went up by the Ascent of the Mount of Olives and wept as he went up; and he had his head covered and went barefoot. And all the people who were with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went up. Then someone told David, saying, “Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom.” And David said, “O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” (2 Samuel 15:30-31).
Pray, don’t panic
Ahithophel was one of David’s very best counselors. To hear him speak was like hearing the very words of God.[vii] But Ahithophel turned against David and joined the conspiracy with Absalom.[viii] So how did David respond to a genuine conspiracy? How would he help his followers dwell on the fear of Lord instead of the fear of conspiracy? He paused to pray this simple prayer: “O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!”
[Satan’s] influence is rooted in tricking believers into believing that he has far more power than he actually has.
Here is the right approach for us in these days. Ahithophels abound. Whether in the halls of political power, media moguls or your child’s new friends, Ahithophels are ever-present. They sound so convincing, but their counsel is evil and deadly.
Be warned. These voices that sound so wise are trying to undermine every institution you hold dear: your family, your church, your school and your nation. Now if you voice your suspicions to others, you could easily induce the “fight or flight” response. (Your comments could make others furious or fearful; you could even sound a little kooky.) So what should you do? You ought to place the matter before the Lord to ask Him to turn their counsel into foolishness. The Lord, the Judge of all, knows what is really going on. He knows where you may have misjudged. But it is still the right response to pour out your heart before the Lord. As King David wrote in Psalm 62:8, “Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah.”
Pour out your heart in prayer
Whether your heart is full of suspicion, bitterness, questions or joy, pouring out your heart before the Lord is the right response. David led his followers to emphasize this priority, even as they fled from the conspiracy. When David reached the top of the Mount of Olives, he worshiped God, and the Lord began to give him answers.
Remember that failures aren’t finished
Perhaps you are reading these lines and thinking that you have made a number of sinful mistakes. So, you can’t be mighty through prayer, like David. But stop to consider what David knew about his troubles.
Undoubtedly, David “wept as he went up” because he felt a heavy responsibility for what happened. What had he done? His leisurely adultery and murderous cover-up led to his family being plagued with ongoing violence.[ix] So David knew his conduct had opened the door to the conspirators. But God graciously sent a preacher to preach to David and he repented. Yet the serious problems persisted in his family. These included a confusion between lust and genuine love (complicated by the hypocritical manipulation by his son’s trusted friend). And all of this was further complicated by fraud, manipulation and sexual abuse. And then those sins were met with intense hatred, simmering hostility, and murderous revenge.[x] So David had good reason to weep over this alienation within his family.
Perhaps you are reading this and you are aware of your own serious failures. Does this mean that God will no longer hear you? No! David prayed, ““O Lord, I pray, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness!” and God answered him. Failures aren’t finished.
We can address the Ahithophel problems of our own day before God’s throne of grace. As the writer of Hebrews put it in Hebrews 4:15-16,
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
More is accomplished by believers who pray to the Lord than all the laws and policies produced by lawyers and politicians – both nationally and internationally. In a society full of furious frustration, we desperately need God’s favor given to us from His throne of grace. By prayer, we can obtain “mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Can we be confident that praying this way will make a difference today?
Ahithophel wanted to destroy David, but the Lord turned Absalom away from the counsel of Ahithophel.[xi] By prayer, David conquered the conspiracy.
Remember 9/11?
Our congregation in Findlay, Ohio put this prayer into practice after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Using the FBI’s list of terrorists, we prayed that the Lord would turn the counsel of the terrorists and their advisors into foolishness. There were names on that list that some of our folks couldn’t 
even pronounce. But with their fingers placed firmly on those names or pictures, our people prayed and God answered. We had gray-headed men and women in our church who were like Special Forces in those spiritual battles. God heard us! Looking back over the list of those who terrorized our nation, we can see how the Lord turned their counsel into foolishness. You could do the same thing today.
So, hold on to this simple truth: Don’t be naive or gullible. Carefully think through what you are hearing about conspiracy theories before you share them with anyone. God’s people know how to pray in the face of genuine conspiracies. This is how you could make a difference in this crazy, mixed-up world.
[i] “Vast Right Wing Conspiracy.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vast_right-wing_conspiracy . Aaron Maté, “The Mueller Report Indicts the Trump–Russia Conspiracy Theory,” The Nation, April 26, 2019, https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/russiagate-trump-mueller-report-no-collusion/.
[ii] John B. Boles, The Great Revival: Beginnings of the Bible Belt
(Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 1996), 12. Kindle.
[iii] Isabel Fattal, “Why Conspiracy Theorists Always Land on the Jews,” The Atlantic, October 13, 2022. Accessed at https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/10/why-conspiracy-theorists-always-land-on-the-jews/671730/
[iv] Jane Coaston, “How the Rise of Conspiracy Theory Politics Emboldens Anti-Semitism, Vox, October 18, 2018, accessed at https://www.vox.com/identities/2018/10/31/18034256/anti-semitism-pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-prejudice-right
[v] Isaiah 8:11-13
[vi] David Rockefeller, Memoirs (New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2003). Wikiquote, s.v., “David Rockefeller,” last modified October 11, 2023, https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/David_Rockefeller.
[vii] 2 Samuel 16:23
[viii] There are some indications that Ahithophel may have been the grandfather of Bathsheba. See 2 Samuel 23:34 and 2 Samuel 11:3.
[ix] 2 Samuel 11-12
[x] 2 Samuel 13
[xi] 2 Samuel 17:1-23
copyright 2023 Gordon A. Dickson, all rights reserved
For more, see the book, 12 Ways You Can Make a Difference in This Crazy, Mixed-up World by Gordon A. Dickson. Available in paperback, ebook and audio book (Audible, Spotify).
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