Fear Not Artificial Intelligence
WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL BY PATRICE TSAGUE
How do you feel about artificial intelligence (AI)?
Should we be afraid of it?
How do we overcome our fears?
| For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) |
Fear Not Artificial Intelligence
In our Biblical Entrepreneurship Program, we explore the concept of biblical innovation and invention with a thought-provoking question: If you had an innovation or invention and you could foresee that it might be used for evil, would you still develop it?
This question often sparks intense debate. Some argue that proceeding would be irresponsible and dishonoring to the Lord, while others believe that not moving forward would demonstrate a lack of faithfulness in utilizing the talents God has given us.
What is your position? What would you do?
The launch of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought this Biblical Entrepreneurship debate into the national and global public square. Is it God-honoring to engage with AI, knowing the potential dangers it presents to society? Or are we being irresponsible stewards if we do not engage with it to further the call God has given us to advance His will in the marketplace?
We believe that AI is not something to be feared but rather embraced – with the appropriate guardrails to minimize its potential for harm. This is the stance we take for nearly all inventions and innovations we discuss in our Biblical Entrepreneurship Program.
Here’s why:
| Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” – Genesis 1:28 (NKJV) |
| “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” – Matthew 10:16 (NKJV) |
| For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) |
| Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) |
| “Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” – Matthew 6:27 (NKJV) |
| “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.” – John 17:15 (NKJV) |
These Scriptures, among many others, remind us that we are called to be fruitful and prayerful and that as believers, we are to have dominion over God’s creation, to trust in God, and not be afraid.
Remember, God himself created man and woman, the serpent, and all that was in the Garden of Eden. But through the sin of disobedience, God’s own creation fell, ushering in a civil war between good and evil that has been going on for thousands of years. As Biblical entrepreneurs, God has placed us in the midst of that fallen world to do good according to His word and to redeem it.
Do you believe that God knew that this would happen? What if He would have stopped and not proceeded with His creation?
Despite these assurances, why is fear so rampant when it comes to innovation, particularly AI? Here are some key reasons:
- Lack of intimacy with God
- Lack of knowledge
- Bad theology
- Unwillingness to embrace change
If you believe that God created man in His image and likeness to co-create with Him for human flourishing and His glory, then it is your responsibility to continuously grow in intimacy with Him, seek wisdom and understanding, and embrace innovative ideas that can be used to fulfill the dominion mandate through the Great Commission and the Great Commandment in all spheres of life—from our homes, to our communities, to the marketplace.
Artificial intelligence is the latest example of man mirroring the creative attributes of God, as we strive to mimic His creation. The question now is: How do we ensure that AI honors and glorifies Him? The answers are found in God’s word. Biblical principles are the Divine guardrails that will ensure any new tools that He places in our hands will be utilized for good and for His glory, and for the benefit of many.
My prayer for you today is that God will give you the grace to overcome fear and embrace technological advances so that you can fulfill the dominion mandate by advancing the Great Commission and the Great Commandment for the glory of God.
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