Like many of us, I was often told as a young child that I should never use the word “stupid.” So I apologize if the title is offensive to you, but it did seem like the best descriptor for this post’s theme.

Here’s how and why I came to ask this question – of myself, first and foremost.

I had been planning to get a new car sometime in the next year or two, but when the threat of higher tariffs on cars became a strong possibility, I decided to pull the trigger a little early. And that sent me to the car dealership recently, looking for the best deal.

The vehicle I ended up purchasing was new and had more bells and whistles on it than I expected or needed. But the discounts on this particular model were too good to pass up.

THE feature that caused me to shake my head and say, “What is happening to this world?” is this:

When I use the power seat function to move my driver’s seat forward or backward, a little image of the seat pops up on my control panel with an arrow letting me know which way I’m moving.

Do you see where I’m going with this? Do I really need an image and directional arrow to let me know what’s happening in my driver’s seat while I’m sitting in my driver’s seat???

It’s pretty funny on the surface, but also a bit disturbing if we consider the direction (unintentional pun) this example is pointing us.

And it caused me to think more deeply about the role technology increasingly plays in our lives – for better or for worse.

What is God’s perspective on all of this?

I don’t claim to have a solid answer on that, but there are a few statements I believe reflect some truth in this area.

• God is ultimately the creator of technology because he’s given mankind the brains and the vision to apply science to certain applications. Handled correctly, this can be highly beneficial.

• We humans can take almost anything, technology included, and misuse it, abuse it, or overuse it. There is a point where we can cross a line.

• Nearly everything in life can become an idol. When we are dangerously consumed by or distracted by or obsessed with some aspect of technology, we run the real risk of losing our proper focus on God. Any fascination with technology should take a distant second to our wonderment over Almighty God.

Let me throw out another recent example – the rapid rise of AI in virtually every aspect of our worlds. And what lies ahead in this area is both exciting and terrifying. I will admit to utilizing this technology in parts of my life.

A Google search typically returns an AI-generated summary that is often very helpful in explaining the topic I’m researching. I’ve even dropped a paragraph or two into ChatGPT while working on a current project to help find the most concise way to express a thought or idea.

Are these wrong? Not necessarily at this level. But where does it lead?

Being a published author, I constantly get emails pitching training on how to write my next book using nothing but AI. That’s a road I refuse to go down, and I fear that the creative process of writing a book or article could be completely wiped out.

How will that affect children in the years ahead? What becomes of writing or creating of any kind? What does it mean for our education system? When do we stop thinking for ourself or, even more concerning, when do we stop recognizing all we’ve lost?

My intention is not to be a “doomsayer” where I predict everything around us is headed for destruction in the next few days. But I do think as technology ratchets up at an increasingly exponential rate, we need to be mindful of the benefits, and the potential pitfalls.

How do we best do that? Simply put – we ask God to give us discernment.

Ask the Holy Spirit to guard our hearts and guide our minds so we’re aware when we’re getting close to crossing a line.

We ask God to give us wisdom.

 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God,

who gives generously to all without reproach,

and it will be given him.

James 1:5-6