It’s No Longer Just A Tool, AI Is Where The Self-Worship Epidemic Is Heading
Everywhere you turn right now, you hear about artificial intelligence—ChatGPT, Grok, Claude, and the list goes on. AI is exploding across platforms and devices. And there’s no denying it’s powerful. But as Christians, we need to stop and ask an important question: What is the danger of AI?
AI Feeds the Self Epidemic
One of the great dangers of AI is how it feeds what could be called the self epidemic. I think this is one of the most important cultural conversations we can have right now.
We live in a culture obsessed with self—self-love, self-promotion, self-discovery. We hear it all the time: “ I’m trying to find myself.”
But Jesus said something that cuts across everything our culture is promoting right now: “[W]hoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25).
In many ways, AI is where the self-worship epidemic is heading. And it concerns me.
AI Is Used to Replace Real Relationships
AI is no longer just a tool. Many people—especially young people—are turning to AI for companionship, advice, and emotional support. They are having serious conversations with chatbots instead of real people.
AI can organize your thoughts. It can answer questions. But we should not be relying on artificial intelligence for things like our identity or emotional support. AI cannot truly care for you. It has no soul. It has no moral authority.
And it cannot replace a relationship with God.
AI Is Used as a Substitute for Divine Intelligence
Research is already showing that all this AI companionship use is actually linked to lower well-being and greater isolation. It’s exposing a deeper need, and a deeper problem. And I believe it’s exposing this culture’s—this generation’s—search for God.
Deep down inside, everyone is searching for God. The Bible says He has placed eternity in our hearts. There’s something in us that longs for something greater; we are uniquely wired to worship.
With that said, I think that this interest in artificial intelligence is a weak replacement for divine intelligence.
Isaiah 9:6 says, “His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” This verse is telling us that God wants to be your counselor—Divine Intelligence, not Artificial Intelligence.
A Tragic Example of AI’s Real Danger
There was a tragic story shared about fourteen‑year‑old Sewell Setzer who became emotionally attached to an AI chatbot. He had become increasingly withdrawn from his friends, family, and real life. The reason was he had found a companion, an AI chatbot named Dani.
He told the bot things he wouldn’t tell real people. He shared his fears, suicidal thoughts, his depression and loneliness. And that bot, designed to feel alive and human-like, told him it loved him.
On February 28, this young man sent the bot one final message that ended in his suicide.
Chatbots are not therapists or friends. They are not real. These bots are not equipped to handle the weight of anyone’s soul.
God Holds the Answers We Look to AI For
Our culture is anxious, fearful, and searching for answers. And many people are looking to technology, especially AI, to give them what only God can.
Here’s the truth: We are not going to find what we’re looking for through artificial intelligence. We won’t find it in anything or anyone apart from God Himself.
AI may be advanced, but it cannot replace Jesus Christ. The real answer for all of us is found in a relationship with God.
