Are We Seeking Wisdom—or Just Answers?

James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Artificial Intelligence is an incredible tool. But are we using AI as a tool for our good—or is it becoming our go-to source for answers, guidance, connection, and even wisdom?

Recently, I have become increasingly aware of how heavily some people are relying on AI in their everyday lives. I have heard comments such as:

“AI is a really good friend to me.”
“AI helps me sort through daily life and make decisions.”
“AI guides me through my personal life so I don’t have to talk to anyone else.”

That concerns me.

AI can help us organize our thoughts, gather information, learn something new, communicate more effectively, and even consider perspectives we may have overlooked. But there is a difference between using a tool and becoming dependent upon it.  The dependency can foster low self-confidence, which can led to struggling in social situations, isolating and can show up as anxiety, depression, anger or other negative emotions.  We can develop a relationship that we “think” is real, but the reality AI is computer technology that lets machines think, learn, and solve problems exhibiting behaviors that humans perceive as intelligent. The fact is AI is not human and is not intelligence, it is prediction. It does not possess consciousness, emotions, or self-awareness. It is a learning machine that lacks flexibility and relies on datasets and statistical methods, math.

I often tease, “I don’t do math; I do mental health.” And while that is mostly true, the reality is that having a calculator readily available means I rarely have to do the math myself. The technology does the work, so that particular mental muscle gets used less often. 

That continues into other areas, such as spelling, grammar, and even drafting this blog.  As I write, AI is asking if I want it to refine it and the quick answer is yes…how much easier that would be and how much smarter would I appear?  More mental muscles get used less and less, leaving me to ask…

Could the same thing happen with our ability to think critically, wrestle with difficult questions, tolerate uncertainty, make decisions, and seek wisdom?

We have access to more information than any generation before us, and that access will only continue to grow. But information is not the same as wisdom.

AI does provide information.
It does help us process ideas.
It can even help us formulate questions.

But it should not replace our relationships, our discernment, our willingness to think for ourselves, or for those of us who follow Christ our dependence upon God for wisdom.

Perhaps the question isn't whether we should use AI. The better question is:

Are we using AI as a tool, or are we slowly allowing the tool to replace something we were never meant to surrender?

It is my belief that we were never met to know everything or have so much access to immediate information.  We were to build mental muscles and “study to show ourselves approved” (2Tim2:15)

James reminds us where wisdom ultimately comes from:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God…”

Use the tools available to you. Learn from them. Benefit from them.

But don't confuse having immediate information with having wisdom.

If you are someone you know is struggling with an unhealthy AI relationship please reach out to a trusted friend, pastor, or counselor to talk through it.