New technology is amazing, but it also provides slick ways for the adversary to do what he does best

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit…1 John 4:1

As the old saying goes, “New levels, new devils.”

The idea behind this expression is that with human advancement also comes new openings for the enemy to exploit. The same technology that can enhance and extend human life can also be used to “steal, kill, and destroy” (John 10:10).

In the hands of people who have no moral code or ethical commitment, breakthrough developments like AI (artificial intelligence) can be highjacked and manipulated for sinister purposes. While this revolutionary technology makes us so much smarter and more efficient in many ways, we’re also beginning to see how it has the potential to be weaponized against the unsuspecting.

Because AI is especially good at mimicking and making things that are not real look as though they are real, protecting ourselves from fraud and deception just got a whole lot more complicated. The Deceiver, aka the father of lies, now has a whole new bag of tricks.

This means that, more than ever, followers of Christ need to exercise caution and discernment in our engagement with technology. As the Apostle John warned, the Holy Spirit is not the only active spirit in this world. The spirit of antichrist, though invisible, seems to be enjoying an era of aggressive expansion at present and will gladly co-opt new technology to keep it going.

With this in mind, here are a few measures to help us be wise and discerning in our use of technology:

1. Stay close to Jesus. One of the many benefits of close fellowship with the Lord is clearer vision and sharper judgment. The closer we are to the real thing, the more keen will be our sense for an impostor. As Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit because apart from me you can accomplish nothing” (John 15:5, NET)

2. Start with the Word. Online resources can be good and helpful, but there is no substitute for the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Make it a priority to read regularly from a reliable translation of the Bible, be it on your phone or with a hard copy. Whether your’e reading just paragraphs at a time, or chapters, behold the original – the OG – if you will. If you’re not sure which Bible translation to read, here’s a helpful article from Bible Gateway explaining some of the differences. You could also add the NET Bible (New English Translation) to your list. Articles, videos, and podcasts all have their place, but remember, it is only the Word of God that is “living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

“The Holy Spirit is not the only active spirit in this world.”

3. Pay attention to detail. In 1 John 4:1, we are called to “test the spirits” to see if they come from God. The word test means “to make a critical examination of something, to determine genuineness, put to the test, examine.” Applying this to technology, it is important to understand that AI generated content is not always reliable. It is wise to check and cross-reference for accuracy. This takes a little time and effort, but it will be an increasingly important discipline in an AI world. To have a “critical eye” doesn’t mean that you criticize everyone and everything; it just means you pick up on subtle details and can discern when something is off. Here’s an example: in the AI-generated sub-titles for this video from space by Artemis II astronaut, Victor Glover, his actual words are “…when I read the Bible and look at all the amazing things that were done for us who were created...” Yet, the captions on the video have him saying, “whoever created it” instead. Glover was specifically trying to acknowledge God as Creator, but the captions indicate something different. Granted, the recording is hard to hear, but it is a significant detail that AI got wrong.

Wouldn’t it be nice if new innovations only simplified things? But they don’t. They also add a new layer of complexity. Just as the invention of the refrigerator and the dishwasher added much convenience in our kitchens, so they also created a need for replacement parts and a guy called the “repairman.”

The arrival of a glorified new appliance called AI ushers us into a yet another era. May God help us to proceed with courage and with caution.

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.