Faith in the Age of Social Media: Staying True in a Filtered World

In an ever-changing world where technology has produced a plethora of information-driven programs and social media platforms, one thing remains consistent: God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The world will always change with time, and in this technology-driven age, even the faith-based world is feeling the effects.

Technology Rules?

Technology is not necessarily an enemy of the faith; it can actually be a powerful tool that, among other things, saves time by assisting research. What pastor, Bible scholar, or even layperson doesn’t want that? However, when algorithms, GPT chatbots, and other AI-powered platforms outweigh the voice of God, that’s a problem.

In the beginning, God gave man dominion over everything that moves on the earth. However, this dominion was forfeited when man overthrew God’s instructions. And the enemy behind it all has consistently influenced inventions designed to replace God’s voice on the earth.

In the Old Testament, there were sorcerers, false gods, false prophets, idolatrous shrines, and other such distractions that attempted to override God’s voice. Throughout the New Testament, false teachers and doctrines arose in society.

Today, technology offers online churches, digital prayer rooms, Chatbot ministers, and AI-based devotionals and sermons. The list goes on. But is technology more prominent than God, or will AI replace the gospel on earth? In a word, no.

Digital Age

The power of technology is seen every day. Technology has made many undeniable advancements in the world; however, the faith world is led by divine direction, not algorithms.  It must discern which technology advances the message and which does not.

Admonished by the Apostle Paul to examine all things, the church has the responsibility to uphold the word of God on the earth and to advance God’s Kingdom by preaching the gospel to all nations. The true gospel, not AI-generated messages. In this digital age, it’s one thing for the world to get swept up in its expansive possibilities, but the church must stay true to God’s word.

According to the Bible, the word of God must be spiritually discerned, not interpreted by AI; therefore, chatbots cannot replace receiving the word of God. For believers, the test of whether something is true is whether it agrees with the word of God. The word of God is our final authority. There is no man-made program that can ever replace the wisdom of God.  Colossians 1:16-17 makes this statement:

¹⁶ For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

¹⁷ And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

Let’s Work Together

The faith-based and technology worlds should continue to find ways to coexist. As stated, technology has provided advancements in the faith community. There is no reason why the church world should not foster a relationship with the tech world. Technology enhances Bible study and makes church service available to those unable to attend.

Paul tells believers in 1 Corinthians 3:22 that “the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours.

The secular world often regards the church as a voice against anything not found in Scripture or the traditions of the church. However, 1 Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”

God, the ultimate Creator, gave man the intellect and creativity to invent and to improve his existence on Earth. Why would God be against technology that advances His kingdom?

Final Thoughts

The world will always change with time. Future generations will advance technology to even greater heights, but the church world must stay true to God’s word. They must not let technology trump their relationship with God or diminish their faith. They must remember that heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s word will remain.

So, technology will have its impact on the world in its time, but when it’s all said and done, only God will remain standing.