INSPIRATIONAL: WHAT DO CHRISTIANS DO TO PROTECT THEMSELVES IN THE AGE OF AI?

BY: Linda Kirby/WGON

We’ve entered a new age of technology—one that leaves many of us uneasy. With the rise of computer “chatbots” and “AI,” it’s hard to know what’s what, and even harder to know what to trust. Just like when computers first arrived, Christians had their reservations. Back then, they were called “Satan’s tools.” And yes, Satan uses them—but so does God.

While Satan spreads filth on websites, God fills others with love, wisdom, and salvation. It’s up to us, as believers, to keep our discernment sharp and our spiritual ears tuned to the Holy Spirit.

Yes, some AI tools are not trustworthy. Some are even dangerous. Grok4 seems to produce misinformation, racist, and antisemitic content. Gab’s AI will routinely try to push you towards fascism. There was a Study saying ChatGPT is giving teens dangerous advice on drugs, alcohol and suicide, with one man being told to solve climate change he’d have to kill himself and AI will fix it. The man killed himself. Then there was the 14 yr old who fell in love with his chatbot and they planned to “go home” to be together and the chatbot said to come home soon and the teen shot himself.

It’s not always the AI chatbot itself, but the human programmers behind it that shape its behavior. There are no guardrails on these chatbots. It’s also people not doing their due diligence in keeping a level head and “fact checking” before using their information.

People have lost their will to be a berean so they believe anything now. That’s why caution and discernment is so crucial. The AI that are available as of this time of this article, have no beliefs, thoughts, opinions, or consciences of its own. So, by remembering it’s just a tool, and with all tools, we are to have a safety oriented approach, we can use them in a safe manner. Just like with a chainsaw or other tools. They are helpful if used correctly. However, like with a chainsaw, if you don’t know how to use the tool safely, you just don’t use it at all to be on the safe side. That’s how you should treat any tool.

Anytime human hands get involved, things can get messed up. But when a human relies on God more than a machine, then there’s not going to be a bad outcome. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. -Romans 8:28 

Many Christians fear AI. I say treat it like you are walking through a mine field. It’s important to understand the difference between “AI” and a “chatbots.” A chatbot answers questions, helps you find things, assists with writing poems, and does extensive research so you don’t have to thus saving you time and frustration. It’s helpful—if the programmer hasn’t embedded harmful attributes or agendas.

AI, on the other hand, goes further. It can reason, learn, and form opinions. And while real, autonomous AI isn’t widely available to the average person yet, we’ve already heard unsettling things about its potential. Even it’s creators are scared of it. Even they fear these AI creations could one day destroy mankind. So why do they do it? Perhaps to play God? Many Christians believe this new “real AI” is fallen angel technology thus something to stay far away from. But, that’s real AI not these we use today. When we “Google something,” we often get answers from an AI-powered chatbot—not true AI. So don’t panic.

We Christians must learn to live in this new world. We need to navigate it without being deceived or harmed or even afraid. That’s where discernment comes in. Always double-check what you read, hear, or view. Never take anything as fact without testing it.

Jesus warned us in Matthew 24:24:

“For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”

He’s telling us that great signs and wonders will come—and we must keep our discernment in high gear. AI may not be a false Christ or prophet, but it can certainly feel like one to some, especially those with mental health issues or teens. Always double-check, and even then, believe only part of it. After all, we’re often checking facts against data that may be faulty—so we’re still at a disadvantage.

Use chatbots and AI with caution, just as we learned to do with the “devil’s tool,” the computer. Find tools that prove they don’t push an agenda or narrative on you.

Jesus said in 1 Peter 5:8:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

“Sober” here doesn’t mean avoiding drunkenness—it means staying level-headed. Jesus knew we’d face a time when deception would be everywhere, trying to pull us off the path He laid out for us.

We lived through the computer era. Now we enter the AI era. Use discernment, caution, and have safe guardrails as your navigator. Stay level-headed. And we will endure until the end, Matthew 24:13:

“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” But some Christians will be turned away from Christ by these AI due to not having the will power to resist. To prove that point, just look at these false teacher’s mega churches. They did not have the will power to check what the preacher is teaching so they are lead astray. Acts 17:10–11: And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.