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Truth and Technology

Dear Friends:

Today I read an article about Artificial Intelligence and what it can and cannot do. We are told that it will soon develop its own mind and take over humanity. Well, this is more science fiction than reality as it stands today. The fact is that AI, as it is available to common folks like us, can only generate results based on what exists already. So, the answers from an AI data lake are a result of the content that was inputted into the data lake. Current versions of AI that are available to the public cannot distinguish what is parody, comedy, truth, or lies. The article made this comment, “Truth is already a somewhat contested and fungible idea. AI untruths are likely to make this worse.” I can send you the link to the article if you want to read it.

So, as I read this, my mind jumped from AI’s version of truth to the concept that truth is a “somewhat contested and fungible idea.” Wait! No. It’s not! Truth is truth and all truth is God’s truth. God is the originator of Truth and He alone is the judge of what is true or untrue. The devil wants us to believe that there is no absolute Truth and that we can create our own truth because we are our own “god.” We read in John 8:44 that Jesus said, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

The deception is that people believe the devil’s lies and live their lives accordingly. But we all know that even though the road of deception is wide, popular, and seemingly bringing happiness, eventually it will spit you out and leave you destitute. You cannot partner with the one who seeks to “kill, steal, and destroy” (John 10:10) and live happily ever after. But it is at this point where the Internet returns to our conversation.

People around the world search the Internet for answers to their life dilemmas. They are looking for hope, help, and rescue. We are reminded of these truths every day as people write to us. Here are some examples.

  • A woman from Namibia wrote, “I’m finding myself depressed. I don’t know what or who to talk too.”
  • A man in Paraguay wrote, “Why do I always feel ugly and like I don’t matter and why does the things people say to me hurt me so bad inside my life is just not where I want to be I feel I have failed my parents,my kids everyone in my life what is wrong with me?”

 

It is because of your partnership that Network211 is online propagating biblical Truth and leading people to Jesus; the One who said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). When we present Truth, the Holy Spirit breaks through the facades of the visitors and speaks directly to their hearts. The reason is that at the core of our being, we are created in the image of God, and our hearts cry to be reconciled to the Father.

The battle for Truth is not “Truth versus Technology” for we can use technology as a tool of the Gospel. We are engaged in a spiritual battle as stated in Ephesians 6:12. We leverage the Internet to respond to people around the world at their point of need, share the love of Christ, journey with them, and connect them to local churches. All of this is possible because of your faithful prayer and financial support.

Our world has changed dramatically since the beginning of this new millennium! The virtual world and the real world overlap so much now. But no matter what the mode of communication may be, we must remain steadfast in proclaiming and propagating the Truth. People around the world are desperately seeking Truth. Whether they admit it or not, they need the Church to proclaim Truth. May God find us faithful.

Blessings,
Mark

Dr. Mark Flattery
Network211 President