Can I Use AI as a Christian? Here’s How to Use Artificial Intelligence Well

I still remember the first time I used artificial intelligence to help with a church project. Throughout the process, I had this nagging feeling in the back of my mind: Is this authentic? Am I taking a shortcut that somehow doesn’t honor God? It felt a bit like using a calculator on a math test when you’re not sure whether it’s allowed.

Maybe, like me, you’ve wondered if using AI is something Christians should embrace or avoid. 

In the past several years, AI tools have quietly slipped into just about every digital tool in our daily lives. But using artificial intelligence to draft an email can feel different than using AI for personal spiritual growth or to support churches and ministry work. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how faith and technology intersect, you’re not alone.

As someone whose job is literally integrating AI into church life, I’ve heard these questions from people in all areas of ministry and church life. Let’s talk honestly about AI and faith—no fancy tech talk required.

The Spiritual Dilemma of New Technology

When the printing press was invented in the 1400s, some religious leaders worried it would undermine the church’s authority. When radio came along, there were concerns about broadcasting sermons to people who weren’t physically present. Each technological advancement has sparked similar debates within faith communities.

Today, AI presents us with the newest version of this age-old question: How does the church embrace innovation while staying true to our faith? Is using artificial intelligence to help with our Bible study, to generate prayer ideas, or to create faith-based content somehow “cheating” at being a Christian?

The good news is that we don’t have to choose between innovation and authenticity. When used thoughtfully, AI can enhance our faith journey while preserving the essential human and spiritual elements that make our relationship with God meaningful.

What AI Is Really Good For (And Not So Good For)

Let’s get real about what artificial intelligence can and can’t do. Understanding this helps us use it in ways that actually strengthen our faith rather than substitute for it.

AI is really helpful for …

• Finding information quickly (like Bible verses on specific topics)
• Helping us organize our thoughts when we’re stuck
• Translating content so more people can access it
• Creating graphics or videos for church events
• Summarizing long articles or books

But AI absolutely cannot …

• Have a personal relationship with Jesus
• Feel the Holy Spirit’s guidance
• Understand the deep significance of your faith journey
• Replace genuine prayer or worship
• Substitute for real community with other believers

Simply put, technology can help spread the message, but only God can change the heart. When we apply this mindset to artificial intelligence, we can use AI to support our faith journey rather than trying to make it the journey itself.

Think of it like using GPS when driving to a new place—it helps you navigate, but it doesn’t experience the destination for you. My nephew once insisted that the GPS voice was part of our family road trip, but we all know that an artificially generated voice can’t actually enjoy the ice cream stop or marvel at the sunset!

How Regular Christians Can Use AI in Their Faith Life

You don’t need to be a tech expert to benefit from AI in your spiritual journey. Here are some simple ways church leaders and everyday Christians are using AI.

1. Bible study assistance. Stuck on understanding a difficult passage? AI can help explain historical context, suggest cross-references, help with sermon preparation, or summarize commentaries. A friend of mine uses AI to create personalized Bible reading plans based on topics she wants to explore more deeply. Remember, though—AI is like having a study partner. It’s not a substitute for your own engagement with Scripture.
2. Prayer life enhancement. Some people use AI to help generate prayer prompts when they’re feeling stuck or create prayer lists organized by category. One family I know uses AI to turn their kids’ prayer requests into simple rhymes they can memorize together. The AI doesn’t pray for you—it just helps organize your thoughts.
3. Faith-based content discovery. Artificial intelligence can help you find books, podcasts, articles, or videos that align with your specific questions or spiritual growth goals. Instead of random searching, you can find resources tailored to exactly what you’re learning about right now.
4. Family devotion ideas. Parents often tell me they use AI to generate age-appropriate discussion questions or activities that help bring faith to life for their kids. It’s like having a creative partner to brainstorm with when you’re out of fresh ideas.
5. Community service coordination. Some small groups use AI to help organize outreach events, create sign-up forms, or even match volunteers’ skills with community needs. It handles the logistics so you can focus on the actual serving.

But What About the Concerns?

Even with these helpful applications, you might still have some hesitations. Let’s talk through the most common ones I hear from fellow Christians.

“Is it authentic if AI helped with it?”

This is probably the biggest question, and it’s a good one. If I use AI to help draft a prayer, does that make my prayer less authentic?

I think it comes down to your heart. In Matthew 6:7, Jesus warns against “babbling like pagans” who “think they will be heard because of their many words.” What matters isn’t the perfect wording of our prayers but the sincerity of our hearts.

If AI helps you express what you’re already feeling or thinking, that’s different from letting AI replace your communication with God. It’s similar to how using a devotional book written by someone else can guide your prayer time without replacing your personal connection with God.

“But what about all the ethical issues with AI?”

You might have heard concerns about AI bias, privacy issues, or job displacement. These are legitimate concerns that deserve our attention as Christians who care about justice and human dignity.

The Bible tells us to be “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). This means we can engage with technology thoughtfully, being aware of its limitations and potential pitfalls while still recognizing its benefits.

Here are some practical ways to use AI ethically:

• Be thoughtful about what personal information you share.
• Verify important information rather than blindly trusting AI outputs.
• Support companies and AI tools that prioritize ethical AI development.
• Use artificial intelligence to complement human work rather than replace it.

Your First Steps With Artificial Intelligence

If you’re curious how AI might support your faith journey, here are some easy ways to begin:

1. Try a simple Bible study companion. Next time you’re reading Scripture and have a question about context or meaning, try asking a practical tool that uses AI technology to explain the historical background or suggest related verses. Compare its response with your study resources.
2. Use AI for creative inspiration. Ask AI to suggest a creative way to share your testimony with others using social media posts, or brainstorm ideas for a small group activity. Remember, you’re just using it for inspiration—you’ll be the one to add personal touches.
3. Let AI help with organization. If you’re leading a Bible study or small group, try using AI to help organize your notes or create a simple discussion guide. The content comes from you—AI just helps arrange it clearly.
4. Explore devotional prompts. When you’re feeling stuck in your prayer routine, ask AI for some reflection questions on a specific passage or theme. Use these as jumping-off points for your conversation with God.
5. Remember: It’s just a tool. We can use word processors instead of quill pens without questioning our authenticity—and we can use AI tools while keeping God at the center of our intentions.

Finding Balance in a Digital Age

In Romans 12:2, Paul writes, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This verse reminds us that we engage with the world around us—including its technologies—with a mind that’s being continually renewed by God.

We don’t need to choose between tradition and technology. Instead, the future of faith includes thoughtfully integrating helpful tools while keeping our focus on what matters most: loving God and loving others.

After all, the Apostle Paul used the latest communication technology of his day (letters!) to spread the gospel, and I’m pretty sure he’d have a well-managed prayer list app if he were around today.

AI is ultimately just another tool that can either distract us from our faith or help us engage more deeply with it—and the outcome we experience depends largely on how intentionally we use the tool. When approached with wisdom and discernment, new technologies can become unexpected allies in our spiritual growth.