By Joshua Arnold

A recent internet conspiracy theory alleges that country music artist Alexis Wilkins is a “honeypot” Mossad agent planted by the Israeli intelligence agency to manipulate her boyfriend of three years, Kash Patel, who is now FBI director. Internet users have taken the insinuations so seriously that Wilkins has received numerous credible threats, such that she is scared to leave her house and now has a security detail. Although many such theories circulate online, especially ones with an anti-Semitic twist, Christians should not fall for them.

What likely got the rumor mill running was the couple’s 18-year age gap (Patel is 45 and Wilkins is 27), but that is only mildly surprising in Washington. Donald and Melania Trump have a 24-year age gap, while 28-year-old White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is 32 years younger than her husband Nicholas Riccio. But basic facts should have shut the rumors down long before now: Wilkins has an Armenian Christian heritage — a highly unlikely background for a Mossad agent.

While the Patel-Wilkins conspiracy theory may be Left-coded, the Right has many conspiracy theories (and theorists) of its own. Take Candace Owens, once associated with TPUSA and The Daily Wire, who now opines at length on her podcast about how the official investigation into Charlie Kirk’s death seems fishy, the real story is quite different from the one shown by the evidence, and shadowy figures might just assassinate her for exposing the real truth. Again, Candace also believes that the Jews are somehow responsible.

(Pro tip: If someone invites you to disbelieve a widely-held, official account of anything, and instead to embrace an idiosyncratic view that is being suppressed by an ill-defined “them,” it’s worth questioning whether that person is luring you into a conspiracy theory. Oftentimes, official explanations are official because they are attested by multiple witnesses and sources of evidence, at least more than alternative explanations. On the other hand, some conspiracies are facts, not theories. Always weigh the evidence yourself if you can, and rarely outsource your judgment to another. Above all, submit your judgment to Christ and his word, not a media personality.)

The conspiracy theories rampant in contemporary American culture are simply a modern expression of the sorts of false teaching Paul warns against in 1 Timothy. False teachers, Paul says, “promote speculations” (1 Timothy 1:4), invent “irreverent, silly myths” (1 Timothy 4:7), and “have wandered away into vain discussion” (1 Timothy 1:6).

The types of teachings Paul alludes to in the letter seem to be pseudo-Jewish cults or perhaps forms of gnostic Greek philosophy. But these were simply the popular deceptive ideas in first century Ephesus. His warnings apply to any popular deceptions that rely on speculation, false narratives, and more talk than proof.

The problem with such teachings, Paul explains, is that they lead people away from the true gospel in Christ. “The Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,” Paul writes (1 Timothy 4:1). Those “later times” extend from Jesus’s ascension to his future return.

Modern conspiracy theories may operate in a slightly different way than ancient false teachings, which were overtly religious. Today, ever-present media invites us to make politics our passion instead of the gospel of Christ, which can lead to idolatry. Conspiracy theories, in particular, tend to cause those who believe in them to obsess about some minor details and ignore the weightier matters of the kingdom of heaven.

Those led astray by these worldly ideas “made shipwreck of their faith” (1 Timothy 1:19) and have “swerve[ed]” from the marks of a godly character (1 Timothy 1:6).

In fact, the character of false teachers is so different, writes Paul, that it can be used to identify them. This is encouraging, as it gives the Christian an alternate means to escape the trap of a smooth-tongued villain.

The false teacher “has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain” (1 Timothy 6:4-5). When you see someone who will say anything to stoke controversy or make money, think of this warning.

Paul describes the false teachers as bold-faced “liars whose consciences are seared” (1 Timtohy 4:2). The false teacher is also “without understanding” of what they discuss (1 Timothy 1:7) but is “puffed up with conceit” as if he had understanding (1 Timothy 6:4). Beware of proud, ignorant liars who will say anything for controversy or money. Does this sound like modern conspiracy theorists yet?

As for how Christians should handle such false teachers, Paul is clear there too: ignore them, and focus on the truth. “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths,” he exhorts Timothy. “Rather train yourself for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). This entails keeping “a close watch” on both our lives and doctrine (1 Timothy 4:16). But the result is eminently practical: “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1 Timothy 1:5).

This is what Christians should concern themselves with — not with shadowy conspiracies and unprovable insinuations. Let us heed Paul’s closing exhortation to Timothy, both its reasoning and its warning: “O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge,’ for by professing it some have swerved from the faith” (1 Timothy 6:20-21).

Conspiracy theories come and go, fade and change. God’s word remains forever. Plant your feet on the firm foundation.

Joshua Arnold is a senior writer at The Washington Stand.