If

I want to share an experience with you that really had me doing some deep thinking.

I use AI (Artificial Intelligence). Specifically, I use ChatGPT for things such as “I have 35.34 hours on my time card using decimals. What time to I need to clock out to reach my 40 hours for the week?”

Or,

“where can I find a recipe for homemade dog food?” or any number of questions I have asked.

I have found Chat to be much faster and much more knowledgeable than simply doing a Google or Bing search or something of that nature.

I wrote about Paul Harvey several months ago. I quoted his famous “If I Were the Devil” broadcast from 1965. Look it up if you are not familiar. It’s a bit chilling in its accuracy, and its relevance has remained strong even today, 60 years later. But today I want to focus on a question I threw into ChatGPT. (My friend Mo posted something similar and that encouraged me to share this with you today.)

I wrote this:

“I have a crazy hypothetical question for you. Just roll with it. If you were the devil, what strategies would you use to keep me distracted from Jesus?”

ChatGPT said: (and it is quite thought-provoking!)  

“If I were to approach it from that angle, the devil’s tactics would likely focus on subtle distractions and distortions rather than overt attacks, especially for someone seeking to grow in faith. Here’s how the strategy might look:

1. Busyness and Overcommitment: Keeping you perpetually busy with responsibilities, tasks, and even “good” things. It would feel productive, but the constant busyness would edge out time for prayer, reflection, or reading Scripture, slowly eroding your spiritual foundation.

2. Emotional Overload: I’d stir up feelings of anxiety, frustration, or guilt over small things—making you feel overwhelmed. When you’re stressed or emotionally drained, it becomes harder to seek peace in Jesus.

3. Disguising Distractions as Duty: I’d make certain things appear like obligations—like learning new songs or overcommitting to social or church responsibilities—so that you’re too drained for real spiritual growth. It would be easier to feel like you're doing enough without real soul-deep engagement.

4. Doubt and Self-Criticism: I’d plant seeds of doubt about your worthiness or ability, encouraging you to fixate on your weaknesses. When you feel like you’re not measuring up spiritually, it can keep you stuck in a cycle of guilt and shame instead of accepting Christ’s grace and love.

5. Isolation Under the Guise of Independence: I’d encourage a sense of self-reliance and independence, convincing you that you don't need others (or God) as much as you think. This would create a quiet separation between you and community, which is a key part of spiritual health.

6. Subtle Shifts in Priorities: I’d subtly shift your priorities toward worldly success, comfort, or control. Pursuits like financial security, while not bad on its own, could gradually take the central place in your life over faith.

7. Entertainment and Escape: I’d use harmless-seeming entertainment as a frequent escape. It might be social media, television, or endless planning for your next big event. These things would fill your time and attention, subtly keeping your thoughts away from spiritual matters.

8. Fear of Missing Out or Failing: I’d amplify the fear that if you don’t keep up with every responsibility, you’ll disappoint others or even yourself, making it harder to say no or create boundaries for your spiritual health.

9. Worry About the Future: I’d constantly nudge you to worry about the future—whether it’s financial, physical, relational—keeping you anxious rather than trusting in God's provision and timing.

10. Compromise: Finally, I’d encourage tiny, almost imperceptible compromises in your values, choices, or relationships—small steps away from God that over time could lead to bigger gaps in your spiritual life.  (Source: ChatGPT - Friday, October 4, 2024)

I will leave it at that, what more needs to be said.

Jeanette Stark, Friday, October 4, 2024