Unprofitable Theories, How To Discern When To Get Out Part 2

With so many opinions and information floating around in the world today, identifying the line between valid perspectives and unhelpful conspiracy theories has never been more difficult. Thankfully the Bible provides some guidelines for how to discern when to abandon a theory because it is unprofitable.

Here are the final 9 out of 17 ways to identify an unprofitable theory (see pt. 1 for previous 8)

9. The theories require loyalty

There is a good chance that you are caught up in unprofitable theories if the opinions and facts you are hearing require your loyalty and devotion. In other words, there is always something for you to do and more for you to learn. You always have to keep coming back to hear the latest and do something about it. Paul warns of those devoted to myths in Titus 1:14:

“This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.” (Titus 1:13–14, ESV)

There is nothing that a Christian should devote their lives to other than Christ. This means if you are tempted to show your loyalty toward a position over the church, it is an unprofitable theory you should walk away from.

10. The theories isolate you from the church

There is a good chance that you are caught up in unprofitable theories if your positions isolate you from the church. Those who are in Christ should love the body of Christ, and submit to the local church God has providentially placed them in. Unprofitable theories almost always lead you away from the leadership of your church and the relationships in the church. Paul points this out:

“not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.” (Titus 1:14, ESV)

Turning away from the truth, in this context, is not merely a doctrinal departure. It is also a departure from the church, which is the pillar and support of truth (1 Tim 3:15).

11. The theories make demands not found in the Bible

There is a good chance that you are caught up in an unprofitable theory if the positions you are taking make demands upon your life that are not found in the Bible. Notice how this also comes up in Titus 1:14:

“not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.” (Titus 1:13–14, ESV)

The Bible is the ultimate standard by which we must organize our lives, and when human opinions try to make demands on our life that are not found in the Bible we must reject them.

12. The theories distort the truth

There is a good chance that you are caught up in unprofitable theories if they distort or manipulate facts in order to support their position. Again, Titus 1:4 identifies the problem:

“not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth.” (Titus 1:14, ESV)

This is specifically a problem when a position, opinion, or ideology distorts God’s truth. It does not matter how much you might like a political, medical, or personal position. If that position and those who are advocating it misuse the truth of Scripture, you, as a Christian, have a sacred obligation to reject that opinion as false teaching.

13. The theories upset the Church

There is a good chance that you are caught up in unprofitable theories if your opinions and preferences are upsetting and causing problems with the people in your church. The unity of the church should be a prized possession for every believer, and any preference that might cause disunity in the church should be relinquished. Paul, in Titus 1:11, says of those spreading unprofitable theories,

“They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.” (Titus 1:11, ESV)

Theories that are taught outside the church and apart from Scripture will be resisted by churches that teach the truth because they are unsettling for individuals not deeply rooted in truth.

14. The theories create relational conflict

There is a good chance that you are caught up in unprofitable theories if your adherence to these positions has led to more relational conflict in your life, especially with faithful believers.

“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” (James 3:14–18, ESV)

Wisdom from above leads to righteousness in your life and fellowship with other believers, not endless bickering and conflict.

15. The theories never offer peace

There is a good chance that you are caught up in unprofitable theories if what you are discovering never leads to peace. To put it another way, if the views you are researching only focus on what is evil in this world and constantly provoke fear, they are not what a believer should be thinking about. Philippians 4:4-9 makes this clear:

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4–9, ESV)

The world uses fear to manipulate you to get what it wants. God offers peace through his truth, which is what we should spend our time thinking about.

16. The theories lead to unbiblical fruit

There is a good chance that you are caught up in unprofitable theories if your increased knowledge of these subjects leads to unbiblical fruit. Paul warns of this in 2 Timothy 2:16-17:

“But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,” (2 Timothy 2:16–17, ESV)

The fruit of your life reveals the condition of your heart. In the same way, the fruit of a message reveals the truthfulness of its content. If the other people who adhere to your position have lives filled with unbiblical fruit, it should cause you to wonder about the validity of their message. In the same way, if other people in your life see negative fruit from the time you’ve spent researching these topics, it should cause you to walk away from them.

17. The theories are accusatory

There is a good chance that you are caught up in unprofitable theories if the opinions you are reading and the positions you are taking are always accusatory. In other words, if the theories that you are listening to are based on allegations that are not biblically warranted, then they are really just partaking in a form of wide-spread gossip and slander. The Bible makes it clear what constitutes a biblically legitimate accusation against someone. For example Paul writes,

“This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.” (2 Corinthians 13:1, ESV)

More could be said from the Scriptures about the difference between a legitimate allegation and and slander, but at the very least there needs to be first-hand confirmable evidence from parties that are directly involved. Keep in mind, also, that it is a sin to ascribe motives to someone. Only God knows a person’s heart. Thus, if the theories that you are spreading ascribe motives or spread unverified accusations, it is not only unhelpful, it is sinful slander.