Once again, I am being bullied into “taking a stance” on conspiracy theories. I wish it would stop.
There are certain advocates of abuse victims that write about satanic ritual abuse, conspiracies to molest children, satanic rituals in high places, and so on. I don’t pay a lot of attention, so I don’t know if I know all of the details. I don’t have an opinion as to what they should do or what they should write.
But I have publicly separated from certain groups over it, so I thought I would explain again – as it tends to crop up again. This is just me. I have no intention of dictating what anyone else should do. This is my own conviction.
So here are a few points on my conviction.
- I have no doubt whatsoever that great evil exists in high places. I have no doubt that there is indeed ritual satanic abuse, pedophile abuse, conspiracies to cover up and deny the most horrific acts that mankind can commit. That is called “Total depravity” and I have always confessed it and believe it.
- I also believe that those with great power in the church and in the state commit great wickedness. It has always been that way.
- That being said, I also know that Satan thrives on fear, superstition, unrest, and suspicion. Scripture warns us against that as well. If he can sidetrack us with rumors of symbols, rituals, secret handshakes, hidden messages, then he can convince us that God is not powerful and good, and that Satan is truly in charge of this world.
- Satan also thrives on gossip and slander.
- Christ has defeated the enemy through his death and resurrection. It is the proclamation of the gospel that casts out all demonic activity, no matter what form it takes (Luke 10; Rev. 12)
So with these points in mind, here is my commitment:
I will not spread around any reports of Satanic ritual abuse, hidden messages, names of “Satan worshipers”, secret pictures, handshakes, conspiracies, rituals, or such like.
I also will have nothing to do with the propagation of such things.
It is NOT because I do not believe that they exist. It is because I believe that darkness thrives on fear, superstition and unrest, and I will not give that to them.
My calling as a preacher of the gospel is to proclaim deliverance and peace through the blood of Christ, not become a sounding board of the restless, superstitious and fearful.
Furthermore, if I spread around the reports that Pastor so and so is involved in ritual abuse, or President so and so eats children in his satanic rituals – these things MAY INDEED BE TRUE! – but if I pass them along I will only accomplish giving more power and more authority to the devil than he actually has. If these things are NOT true, however, I am guilty of great sin in the eyes of God.
I ask myself, when it comes to the latest conspiracy theory – is it true? (almost always I cannot know for certain.) If it is, is it edifying? (almost always, it is simply providing fodder for the gawking crowds). Will it accomplish any good? (Almost certainly not.)
So why would I involve myself in matters beyond me – matters of darkness and great wickedness? The only thing that will defeat such things is the proclamation of the gospel, which is what I do anyway – on a daily basis.
It is one thing to write strongly about heresy or error, refuting someone’s own words. I do that frequently, and will continue to expose satanic doctrines and bad theology. But it is quite another to accuse someone second or third hand of horrible crimes based upon the word of someone you have never met. I have no knowledge of those crimes firsthand, and am quite aware of Total Depravity in bearing false witness, and the thrill of a really juicy story, and will have no part of it. The few times that I have shared on social media someone else’s story I have almost always regretted it.
I do not need to be a crusader against every evil simply because someone demands that I do so. Some abysses I have no interest in exploring, and would suggest that you all do the same.
If someone in my acquaintance or in my congregation suffers from severe satanic abuse, I would believe them. I would tell them the gospel. I would comfort them with Christ and his death and resurrection, and the promise of the second coming and judgment. I will never, ever underestimate the power in the blood of Christ, or his authority as the King of kings, and Lord of lords.
If it were possible, I would support them reporting crimes to the proper authorities.
But I would NEVER encourage or support their taking their accusations to social media to titillate and tickle the ears of the mob. There are already too many sons of Sceva out there. We don’t need more.
14 Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so.
15 And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”
16 Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
17 This became known both to all Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.
18 And many who had believed came confessing and telling their deeds. (Acts 19:14-18 NKJ)
Do you see how the powers of darkness were overcome? Magnifying the Lord Jesus, confessing sins, believing the gospel.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy– meditate on these things. (Phil. 4:8 NKJ)
There is tremendous power in the blood of Christ. I will not get sidetracked by “satanic symbols”, rituals, cults, rings, filth of every kind and other stories designed to titillate the readers. I had enough of that in the 70s with the whole “backmasking” thing. No more. Nothing good comes of it. There is already too much unrest in the world.
This is not a flight from reality. It is the exaltation of the light over the forces of darkness. The gospel alone drives out the darkness, and that is my calling.
My Only Comfort 
Thank you Sam!! I have had the same pressure put on me and the fangs come out when I don’t go along. You have stated the pastor’s mission here very well and I thank you for it.
Thank you
So much wisdom! Thank you!
I have always found so much comfort and strength from your writings. As someone that has experienced extreme total depravity in my childhood, thank you for 1) believing and offering comfort and 2) for always drawing my eyes to the goodness of God.
BrokenYetCherished, I come from the same brokenness of a childhood filled with depravity and also violent abuse. I so agree with you that Pastor Powell is a godsend. Believing victims, standing alongside us, comforting us by always pointing us to the ONLY Comfort there is-Jesus. Priceless.
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Thank you, for always keeping the focus on the core of the gospel – Christ and Him, crucified.
I see many, many Christians ( and I have often fallen into the same errors myself) trying to right social wrongs, instead of telling the gospel, or out of proportion to the gospel, where Jesus is marginalised, compared to seemingly good deeds.
But focusing on the wrongs, as you say, takes our eyes off Him, even subtly.
Only God can deliver from such evil – His Way – so often our paltry efforts get in the way.
I am blessed as I lean more and more on Him Who alone is able!
This is great wisdom, Pastor Powell. I read your post as a result of Pastor Crippen’s article.
Lately, I have been bombarded with emails and videos on the subject of one coronavirus conspiracy or another. They have been sent to me by Christians, wanting to know my thoughts and opinions. I watched and read the first few. However, I repeatedly told those who sent them to me that the Lord has instructed me to focus on Him, what He has called me to do and what He is doing. I asked the people to please not send anymore of those types of emails and videos to me. Most of the people have been grateful for my perspective although some still want to focus on conspiracy theories. That definitely takes their eyes off Jesus and the incredible goodness of God.
Thank you again, Pastor Powell, for this timely message.
I agree – I’ve been bombarded with the same things. I don’t see what good it can possible do to get all worked up over things you have no control over. Rest is found under the wings of Jesus, who rules over all things
Amen! I recently posted an article, “No Fear in the Fire,” regarding the ungodly fear that can result from situations that are completely out of our control and how important it is to stand firm in our faith.
Fox News should be taken off the airwaves, too.
I agree with almost nothing the hold to, but I will never condone the government deciding what should or should not air
I’m with you on that. I wasn’t thinking of the government doing such but rather I wish the viewership would drop. A comedian remarked it’s like crack for old people so it’s unlikely.
Thank you for not getting involved in the fray. Thank you for being willing to believe the depth of darkness. Anyone who is advertising for the conspiracies by bringing “light” to them doesn’t help the victims of it. It just creates more speculation and more crap a victim has to wade through to become free. I for one am not appreciative of the latest blog posts for a huge host of reasons. And quite frankly question the validity behind the whole post .
Thank you. The bible tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. We need to understand the depth of wickedness, for sure. But we also need to make sure we are not getting dragged away from the light.
Thank you for posting this — Adam Blai (Clinical Psychologist and consultant to Catholic Priests / Exorcists) has the same perspective as you and it is helpful to go back and remember this whenever feeling overwhelmed by oppression.
Blai does not indulge readers and his listeners in the details of his experiences but urges people to stay focused on what God has done and is doing, repent and to hold fast to God — and to not get sidetracked and focus on the works of darkness and oppression. His book is the only book I ended up reading to better understand this kind of heavy oppression and how to respond to it.
The other books by other writers on the same topic as Adam Blai and with similar experiences seemed overly sensationalized and attention seeking, which then just seems to undermine their credibility. So it seemed best to ignore / not read their writings.
Thank you for that information. I am not familiar with his work. But I will check it out.
I forgot to mention I have also benefited immensely reading Jeff Crippen’s books and listening to his sermons on sermon audio about the psychology of evil / sin and domestic abuse: “Unholy Charade” and “Wise as Serpents,” by Jeff Crippen. I found it better than spending hundreds of dollars on therapy, even with a very, very good therapist.