https://youtu.be/u2e0rbURhYk

 the Conspiracy grew strong 2 sam 15:1-12

We live in the age of the conspiracy theory- Conspiracy theories have been around for a long time- JFK Assassination, 9/11, Viet Nam, Global War on Terror, Presidential race, and now Covid5g, Bill Gates, Came from Chinese Lab, created as Bio weapon, US Military imported it into China, GMOs, Covid-19 doesn’t exist, Deep State is manipulating it, Big plot by big pharma, death ratesWhere do conspiracy theories come from? Feeling powerless, need to explain unlikely events, dispute mainstream politics,  Coping mechanismLots of this going on- Here’s the reality- Covid is real. May not being managed well, and we’re all suffering the effects of it with little to no large control over it.  We’ll get through it- Hold on to GodIts not a conspiracy. Its real. Today we read a story that is real as well.- Its not a conspiracyAbsalom want to take down his father David as King- He wants the power and wants every to love and serve him.  He wants to be in control, subvert David’s leadership, be the KingIts not a theory. It’s a fact. “and the conspiracy grew strong” The difference between a theory and an actual conspiracy is that its clear from the evidence that there are conspirators causing harm and its clear on this one!Absalom wants to steal the hearts of the men of Israel- He set out to do it and accomplished itAbsalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel: Absalom's cunning campaign worked. He became more popular and more trusted than David.

Let me say this first- We’re to lift up Jesus- not ourselves- John 12:32  And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.”We’re to protect ourselves from deception: Romans 16:18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.Take Heed Mt24:4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you.Beware Mt 7:15  “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.What we’re talking about today is the spirit of Absalom- You may have not heard this before, but people will say things like “He’s got an Absalom spirit” and use this as an example of what it isYou want to NOT be an Absalom, but you ALSO don’t want to fall prey to the spirit of Absalom- so there’s things I want you to think about today-1- Where is the spirit of Absalom in my heart and 2. how can I protect myself from not being sucked into the depravity of an Absalom spiritYou will find the Absalom spirit in family relationships- kids turning on kids, parents working against each other subverting each otherAt work with the boss or leadership. At CHURCH with the pastor or other leadersWhen I say “the spirit of Absalom” its not some demonic force sense- its just giving this mindset a name- Don’t get all weird about it- You know it when you see it- This just puts a name to itThe spirit is a divisive, controlling, self worshipping spirit that desires satisfaction of the flesh, destruction of God’s holy order, self rule and self promotion.It is very selfish spirit and mindset because it focuses on the self more than God and others They seek their own- 1 Cor 10:24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.They don’t seek after Jesus Ph 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.1 cor 13:5 says love does not self-seeking- and that’s what this spirit is- self- seeking

Here’s what you have to understand- The Absalom Spirit Is attractive- It looks goodThe idea that the Absalom spirit is attractive isn’t to say that everyone who has this spirit is attractive, but you’re attracted to it- It makes you feel desired, and you are drawn to the person who has it- they make it loo...