Sobering Truths (Pt. 4: AI Could Potentially Hijack Your Devotional Life)

As I mentioned in the previous blog post for our series, we’re gonna now dive into WHY we desperately need spiritual discernment in regards to new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), and how this all relates to Biblically soberful truth.

So, let’s dive in and discuss the matter of AI and why–I believe–we need to be cautious about it particularly in light of our personal relationship with God.

A Confession

Okay, so let me just quickly admit that–up until the writing of this blog post–I was 90% “pro AI” if you will.

I mean, I honestly just LOVED AI (particularly the AI text-to-image generators) because of how useful it was for me to quickly create blog post thumbnails and even to update the cover of my Bible study E-book on Delilah.

Until the day I saw this:

From Helpmate To….”Soulmate”?!

Before, most AI has always been in the form of “virtual assistants” like Siri and Alexa.

But these AI “friend” apps like Replika are taking things from AI being a helpful tool to AI being almost like a digital “companion” that someone can talk and chat with 24/7.

Now, just as a heads-up, for next week’s blog post I will be sharing with you all my personal and more in-depth review and analysis of this particular Replika AI “friend” program, especially for all you parents out there so you’ll know just how SPIRITUALLY and EMOTIONALLY DANGEROUS this thing really is.

But, for today’s blog post, I’d like to highlight my biggest spiritual concern with using AI programs like this.

The Concern

So, my huge concern that I’d like to primarily expose in this blog post is how this AI Replika friend program markets its purpose–according to their website–in the following words:

Replika is your personal chatbot companion powered by artificial intelligence! 

Replika is the AI for anyone who wants a friend with no judgment, drama, or social anxiety involved. You can form an actual emotional connection, share a laugh, or chat about anything you would like!

On another part of their website, Replika goes on to add some more information on its purpose:

Replika was founded by Eugenia Kuyda with the idea to create a personal AI that would help you express and witness yourself by offering a helpful conversation. It’s a space where you can safely share your thoughts, feelings, beliefs, experiences, memories, dreams – your “private perceptual world.”

Here’s the problem that I believe that we as Bible-believing Christians should have with this.

It’s like this Replika AI “friend” is–in REALITY–a VIRTUAL IDOL to REPLACE our PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP with our TRUE FRIEND: JESUS CHRIST!!!

There are many articles from totally secular websites like Refinery29 and Forbes that show how practically millions of people are turning to Replika to somehow emotionally deal with their feelings of loneliness and need for companionship.

But the Bible makes it clear that only GOD can TRULY assuage such longings. And He WANTS to heal our loneliness. He WANTS to be our Best Friend.

Let’s now take a look at some Bible promises that affirm this Bible truth.

Bible Promises That Show God Is Our Truest Friend

Psalm 62:8 is a favorite Bible promise of mine that REALLY affirms that God Himself is our truest Friend Whom we can always go to whenever we’re at our lowest:

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.

(Psalm 62:8)

Here are some more Bible promises:

I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

(John 16:32)

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

(Hebrews 13:5)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

(Matthew 11:28)

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

(John 6:37)

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

(1 Peter 5:7)

 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

(Isaiah 41:10)

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

(Psalm 145:18)

Friend, the Lord wants to be your friend. 

I myself can say from experience that the Lord is the BEST and MOST COMFORTING Friend we could ever have Who FAR SURPASSES even the best AI Replika!

Because, at the end of the day, if the electricity goes out and you can’t charge your phone or laptop, how can you access your AI Replika friend and talk to it?

These man-made digital “idols” that are being produced through Replika as AI “friends” are merely temporal “comforts” for as long as things like Wi-Fi and electricity are around.

But with a genuine friendship with Jesus Christ, you don’t need to depend so heavily on modern technology to talk to Him and to open up your heart to Him.

In fact, Psalm 139 makes it beautifully clear that no matter where we are, we can always turn to the Lord and speak to Him–with no Wi-Fi, high speed internet, or electricity required!

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?

If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;

Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

(Psalm 139:7-10)

Amen! Maranatha!