The Trap of Vain Speculation

O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge "-- 1 Timothy 6:20

Refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. 2 Timothy 2:23

Don't waste time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don't help people live a life of faith in God.  1 Timothy 1:4

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 1 Timothy 4:7

They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 1 Timothy 6:4

They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.  2 Timothy 4:4

This was all written by Paul to the Church at Ephesus and to Titus in Crete.  Evidently the church was full of people who were conspiracy theorists.  Who loved to think about what might be, who is doing what, what the evil one is up to, how deceived we all are by believing this or that. 

Today we have exactly the same things going on.  I have never seen so many otherwise scripturally sound Christians so bound up in conspiracy theories.  I have fallen prey to them.  Fortunately I escape again and again.  Every time I get better and better at spotting the baloney.

These vain speculations are the devils way of keeping our eye off the ball.. expanding the kingdom.

The most rampant speculation is the end time, rapture, tribulation, antichrist and left behind premillenial speculations.  I am asked all the time about if I believe Iran is going to attack Israel or not.  If the antichrist is alive today... (the answer is yes, but now how you think, see the epistles of John for more).

The more the devil can keep us wound up looking for the sky to split, the less we will be at work in the kingdom. 

IF I could somehow speak to the whole body of Christ, I would say, STOP THE VAIN SPECULATION.

When you receive a lie, it puts you in chains.....  only the truth will set you free.  Seek after Him.

Even the Buddah understood this... I think he got it from the Bible.. but he said it well: "Let us not lose ourselves in vain speculations of profitless subtleties; let us surrender self and all selfishness, and as all things are fixed by causation, let us practice good so that good may result from our actions".