Updated 1/25/24
Paranoia is defined as- an extreme, irrational distrust of others. But, as the old saying goes- It’s not paranoia if they really are out to get you. Almost 20,000 Americans die each year from violence. Many of them never saw it coming. Most of them could have benefited from a healthy dose of paranoia. Many of them would still be alive if they had understood that there really are a great many evil people, in the world, who really are out to get you if given the chance. The Bible calls this realistic distrust “discernment”.
Speaking of the various gifts, given by God, 1 Corinthians 12:10 says, “To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues”. This act of discernment is literally the passing of judgment upon views, beliefs, or principles.
Matthew 10:16 says, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” If we admit it, the conspiracy theorists (though mocked by the media) may be the modern-day seers, or prophets, with enough discernment to question most of what they are told.
Nevertheless, God commands us to have a healthy distrust of what we are told by people who act like prophets. 1 John 4:1 says, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 Timothy 4:1 says, “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils”.
God not only commands us to use discernment, He gives it it to us freely. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
In other words, being a little bit paranoid is not irrational. It may be a gift from God.
(See also- America Doesn’t Have a Stupidity Problem, It Has a Sin Problem)
the coming tribulation 