...if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

After last Sunday’s service, a friend of mine struggled with the part of the sermon that taught animals don’t possess eternal souls like humans. Seeking comfort, they found an online Billy Graham sermon that confidently claimed the opposite, that animals do have souls and will join us in heaven, and shared it with me to show that our pastor was mistaken. As I listened, it became clear that the words didn’t align with Scripture, and the cadence of the voice seemed slightly off. It turned out the video was AI-generated, a convincing imitation that sounded authoritative while quietly promoting false teaching.

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Matthew 24:24 (KJV)

That discovery made me pause. It wasn’t just about one video or a simple misunderstanding; it pointed to a broader concern I’ve noticed within the church today. In a world filled with endless information and digital voices, it’s easy to accept what feels comforting without taking time to compare it with God’s Word. This moment reminded me how important it is for us to stay grounded in Scripture, especially as artificial intelligence becomes more persuasive and accessible.

We now live in a time when anyone can generate a sermon, a prophecy, or a “word from the Lord” that sounds convincing enough to satisfy an emotional need. Without discernment, believers risk exchanging the Word of God for a digital reflection of their own feelings. Like Jonah fleeing from Nineveh, it's quite common for us to run toward comfort instead of confrontation, choosing what soothes us over what sanctifies us. Spiritual growth requires the courage to face truth, even when it challenges the beliefs that bring us comfort.

The danger of the ongoing AI revolution reaches beyond misinformation. I believe that as scriptural literacy fades, spiritual alertness declines, and conviction begins to lose its strength! But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Hebrews 5:14 (KJV)

If we stop testing what we hear against Scripture, we will begin mistaking imitation for inspiration. The only way to stand firm is to know God’s Word personally and thoroughly. Reading the Bible daily strengthens our discernment and guards us from being deceived by teachings that sound spiritual but distort truth. True healing, both individually and as a church, begins when we stop seeking counterfeit peace and allow God’s truth, not our feelings or algorithms, to define reality.