The last few years have brought a rapid rise in artificial intelligence. It writes, draws, speaks, diagnoses, and even predicts our preferences. For many, it is exciting. For others, it feels unsettling. As Christians, we must ask how we engage with this technology in a way that honours God and protects the health of our souls.

Technology itself is not inherently evil. From the printing press to the smartphone, tools can be used for both good and harm. The same is true for AI. It can help pastors prepare sermons, missionaries translate the Bible into remote languages, and believers connect across continents. But it can also distract us from real relationships, distort truth, and subtly shape our thinking in ways that don’t align with Scripture.

Paul writes, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2). AI, like any cultural force, has the power to form us. Algorithms can reinforce biases, promote ungodly values, or feed our appetite for instant gratification. That’s why we must approach AI with discernment, constantly allowing God’s Word – not technology – to be our primary shaping influence.

Another danger lies in outsourcing too much of our thinking or creativity. We are made in the image of God, the ultimate Creator. Human imagination, infused with the Spirit’s guidance, carries a dignity no machine can match. When we rely on AI to do the hard work of thinking, creating, or relating, we risk neglecting these God-given gifts.

So how do we use AI wisely?

First, keep your spiritual disciplines strong. Prayer, Scripture reading, and Christian fellowship ground us in truth and give us discernment. If you find yourself spending more time with a chatbot than with your Bible, it’s time to recalibrate.

Second, let your online and offline lives serve the same purpose – to glorify God. Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). This applies as much to our digital footprint as to our physical actions.

Third, remember the value of embodied community. AI can simulate conversation, but it cannot truly love, grieve, or pray with you. The church is called to “encourage one another and build each other up.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). No program can replace that.

Finally, think missionally. Instead of avoiding AI altogether, consider how it might serve the gospel. Could it help produce Christian resources in multiple languages? Could it free up time for ministry by automating repetitive tasks? Tools become redemptive when used for God’s purposes.

The rise of AI is not the first cultural shift to challenge the church, and it will not be the last. But we need not fear it. With discernment, humility, and a heart set on Christ, we can navigate this tech-driven age without losing the very thing that makes us human – our relationship with the living God.