CAN AI BE TRUSTED?

Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz about artificial intelligence (AI) and how it’s changing everything, from the way we shop to how we think about the future. People are calling it the “rise of the machines,” and it’s got folks wondering: where are we headed as a society? As a Christian, I like to filter new trends through the lens of Scripture. It’s how I make sense of things, drawing on lessons from my past, just like most of us do. For instance, I have read many times about Joshua's failure to inquire of the Lord about Israel's next move after defeating Jericho, the huge city with walls that seemed impregnable. He allows his men to storm the little city called AI. A place that seemed so inconsequential suddenly took on huge implications. Growing up, I remember all the talk in church about end-times prophecies, things like the “triple planet conjunction” in the ‘70s or the Y2K panic, as we moved into a new millennium. But one verse that always stuck with me is Revelation 13:15: “And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”

That verse paints a chilling picture, doesn’t it? It reminds me of the story of Nebuchadnezzar, who built a golden statue and demanded that everyone worship it or face death (Daniel 3). Revelation 13:15 seems to be talking about the end times, describing some kind of deceptive, powerful “image” that speaks and demands loyalty. Sound familiar?

AI: A Modern “Speaking Image”?

The Book of Revelation is full of weird, symbolic imagery meant to reveal spiritual truths about good, evil, and the end of days. Now, think about AI, those super-smart systems like chatbots, virtual assistants, avatars, or even deepfake videos. (I constantly remind my wife that everything seen on the internet is NOT true.) They’re not alive or real, but they can feel like it! They talk, answer questions, and sometimes seem to know you better than you know yourself. Could AI fit into Revelation’s warning about a “speaking image” that deceives people into giving it allegiance?

Picture this: a totalitarian government creates a charismatic AI figurehead, a digital “leader” that speaks with authority, rallying people to a cause. Or imagine hyper-realistic deepfakes of world leaders pushing an agenda. If Hitler had access to this tech, could his “Third Reich” have become the ultimate, final empire? It’s not hard to see how AI could be twisted into a tool for manipulation, maybe even by the Antichrist the Bible warns about, who will rule the world for a season.

AI in Our Everyday Lives

AI is already all around us. Siri and Alexa are in our homes, chatting away on command. Large language models can hold conversations, share ideas, or even push certain viewpoints, depending on how they’re programmed. Have you ever noticed how your phone seems to know what you’re thinking? You mention wanting a new pair of shoes to a friend, and suddenly ads for those exact shoes pop up on your social media. That’s not a coincidence. It’s algorithms at work, collecting data to nudge you toward certain choices.

Revelation talks about the beast’s image demanding “worship.” Think of that as loyalty or devotion. AI could amplify this by tailoring propaganda to your exact preferences or creating virtual “messiahs” that tap into your deepest desires. Social media already shapes what you see to influence how you think. It is a subtle form of brainwashing, in my opinion. Now imagine it talking directly to you, sounding like it’s got all the answers.

The Danger of Deception

The Bible is no stranger to stories about deception. Take Isaac and Jacob in Genesis 27. Isaac, nearly blind, relied on his senses by touching Jacob’s disguised arms and smelling Esau’s clothes and ended up blessing the “wrong” son. His feelings led him astray. AI’s persuasive power can work the same way, mimicking truth so well that it fools us, especially if we trust our emotions over discernment. Matthew 24:24 warns us: “For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and they shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” That’s a sobering thought. If the “elect,” God’s faithful, can be deceived, we all need to remain vigilant as soldiers in enemy territory.

AI: Tool or Trap?

Don’t get me wrong. I do not think AI is inherently evil. It’s like a hammer or a car: just a tool. The question is how it’s used. In the wrong hands, AI could power surveillance systems, like China’s social credit system, that monitor and control behavior in real time. It could flag anyone who doesn’t “worship” the system. Think of it in terms of dissenters being punished for stepping out of line. On the flip side, AI can do amazing things, like answering questions or sparking creativity. It’s all about intent. Click here to read about China's social credit: (https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/12/12/chinas-chilling-social-credit-blacklist)

So how do we stay grounded? The Bible’s got answers. 1 John 4:1 tells us to “test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” With AI, that means questioning what’s behind its “voice.” Is it pointing you to the truth or tugging at your emotions? Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in God’s wisdom, not our own feelings, or the slick words of a chatbot. Revelation’s warning isn’t about tech itself. It’s about what we let guide us. Anything demanding our loyalty, whether it’s a deepfake or a viral trend, deserves a second look. Paul attempted to guide us in Romans 8:14, when he wrote, " For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

Stay Curious, Stay Discerning

As I write this, I’m amazed at how AI can be a force for good or a vector for harm. It’s not about fearing technology but about staying vigilant. Have you ever been swayed by something that seemed too good to be true? Maybe a flashy ad or a viral video that tugged at your heartstrings? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. Let’s keep questioning, stay anchored in Scripture, and hold fast to what’s true—no matter how convincing the “image” might sound.