Even though I was born in the 1900s, I have learned to use AI tools such as ChatGPT to a small degree. It’s such an easy way to find helpful information when you don’t even know where to begin the search.

I had heard that smelling rosemary during your sleep enhanced memory by a large percent. This spurred my most recent quest for AI info. I asked ChatGPT this question, “Will using rosemary oil in a diffuser harm dogs?” In response to my query, I received this reply, “Since you have mentioned having a dog named Willow…”

I honestly can’t remember the details of the response because my mind stopped at the first sentence. I have never mentioned my dog’s name when doing AI searches. So where did it acquire that information? And why would it need that information? And what other information is it accumulating? And what is being done with that information? And who or what controls that information?

This may seem like a trivial thing on the surface. I assure you, however, if the Artificial Intelligence that you have allowed access to your life knows your dog’s name, it knows A LOT MORE.

Now, I’m just being transparent here. You might think I’m a conspiracy theorist. The truth is I tend to think most conspiracies are true. I just don’t have the time or inclination, however, to chase the answers to each one. I choose to put my faith in God and His Word.

On the flip side, I do think each of us should have a level of AWARENESS. The fact is we are all being watched, recorded, studied, chronicled, influenced and judged by the artificial intelligence imbedded in every nook and cranny of our lives.

We have entered an arena of society where there are no secrets, and very little that is private. You may have forgotten what you posted to social media ten years ago concerning your political views, but I assure you the all intrusive eye of AI has not. If you have not read 1984 by George Orwell, I would encourage you to do so. Granted, it’s not a Christian read, but it definitely shines a secular prophetic light on the time we are living.

In most cities of the world, you are being recorded by numerous surveillance cameras at any given time. You might wonder what that has to do with us here in America. If you haven’t figured it out yet, your smart devices are always listening. How else do you think you can be talking about a topic, or a product, and suddenly have ads begin showing up for just that thing on your social media? You may not think that’s a big deal. It’s only advertising, after all.

Allegedly, the new super efficient 5G internet has mapping abilities using technology similar to echolocation in bats. Theoretically, your exact whereabouts within your home can be observed. I did say I tend to think most conspiracy theories are true, but I digress.

Think about all the monitors in your home from your laptop, to your tablet, to your kindle to your smart tv. Do you enjoy FaceTime or Zoom meetings? Trust me, this and technology can be turned on at any given time to view you as you go about your day.

QUESTION: How dependent on smart electronics are you? Can you leave your phone at home in peace when you go to work? To the grocery store? To the back yard? If you’re like most of us, you feel a bit of anxiety creeping into the edges of your mind when you realize you’ve left it behind. It’s because we’ve been programmed to keep it close at all costs.

QUESTION: What happens when all of that information that has been collected, along with the surveillance technology falls into the wrong hands? The Bible does foretell of time that is soon coming when a person called the antichrist will set up a system commonly known as the Mark of the Beast.

“And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.“ (Revelation 13:16-17)

Do I think my life is so interesting that someone or someones are sitting around watching, dissecting and studying it through the lense of AI? No. But I do believe there’s coming a time that when a Christian posts, publishes, purchases or practices something that doesn’t line up to the group think standard, it will throw up a red flag, and their data will be resurrected and used against them.

So I began this post by saying we need to be aware. Unless you’re going to go live off the grid until Jesus comes, technology and smart devices are always going to be an intricate part of our lives. The noose has been tied, and AI is the hangman.

I’m not suggesting that we live in fear. I am suggesting that we live fully for the Lord. If you are not Born Again according to Acts 2:38, please seek to be immediately. Once you are baptized in Jesus’ name, and filled with God’s Spirit, you can walk into the future hand in hand with an all powerful, and all knowing God.

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)

Blessings in Jesus Name!

-Pat