Sanctification in a Technological World

At the time of writing this, I’m 43 years old, and it seems as if I’ve been riding a tidal wave of technological advances for as long as I can remember.

It goes as far back as the big family TV in the living room where I was the remote whenever a channel needed to be changed. From there we brought in our first Nintendo, home computer, and cell phone (in a bag), and I felt like we hit it big time the first time we installed a dial-up modem and were able to access the internet from our home in Virginia.

Comparing AI to those technologies may be helpful as we take some time to reflect on how we navigated each of those in the past. I distinctly remember the moral conundrum that presented itself to a young teenager trying to navigate online access responsibly. Back then, unfortunately, individual desires and biology often outpaced the limited theology that existed and thus many bad decisions were made. From visiting areas of the internet that I knew were inherently wrong to utilizing search criteria to aid in homework, access to these areas was a consistent stumbling block.

Sitting here today, with the same level of unrestricted access, now to what seems to be an entire new world full of bad paths and snares, the number of those mistakes has diminished to the point of almost nonexistent (if I could just kick the mindless-scrolling-from-time-to-time habit). It naturally leads me to the question of “what changed?" The authentic answer is that now I choose to use access to technology as a conduit to advance the kingdom instead of a window to self-deprecating behavior and distractions that pull me away from my purpose. By intentionally aligning my use of technology with my values and focusing on tools and content that builds up, deepens my faith, and serves a greater mission, I’ve transformed what once hindered me into something that empowers and equips me to live out God’s calling.

A reality that I recognize to be true is that AI is simply the next evolution of technology that will test my, and every Christian’s, daily pursuit of Christ-honoring decisions. It helps me to remember that if I’m authentically engaging with AI, free of self-seeking desires, then the actions I take should align with my walk with Him. Ultimately, the challenge with any new technology, including AI, isn’t the tool itself—it’s how we choose to use it. If we approach it with discernment, guided by God’s Word, and grounded in prayer, AI can be leveraged as a powerful resource to spread the Gospel, serve others, and further His Kingdom. The question we must continually ask ourselves is not “What can this technology do?” but “How can I use it to glorify God?”

Questions to Consider

1. How has your relationship with technology evolved throughout your life?
2. What steps can you take to align technology use with your faith?