Using LLMs for Good: How Should Christians Use Large Language Models such as ChatGPT?
How many times have you seen the letters "AI" recently?
If you’ve been on the hunt for a new laptop or smartphone, you’ve almost certainly come across a mention of AI at some point. This is largely thanks to a technology known as "LLMs."
LLMs (short for Large Language Models) are AI systems designed to both understand and generate human-like text. You’ve probably heard of ChatGPT—well, that’s a type of LLM. These tools can be used for a wide range of tasks, including answering questions, translating languages, and providing writing assistance. Even this post was created with the help of ChatGPT, primarily for idea generation and proofreading.
While LLMs can be incredibly helpful, they also raise ethical concerns. Issues such as plagiarism, bias, spam, and disinformation campaigns are just a few of the challenges they present.
With this in mind, this post will explore the role of LLMs in our daily lives in greater detail and consider how Christians should view this technology and its implications.
What Are LLMs?
To put it simply, Large Language Models are powerful AI tools trained on vast amounts of text to assist with tasks like writing, answering questions, and even creative projects. Popular examples include ChatGPT and Google's Gemini.
LLMs work by analysing patterns in language to predict what comes next in a sentence, enabling them to generate coherent and context-aware responses. As a result, LLMs are becoming increasingly impactful as more people incorporate them into their daily routines.
Ethical Considerations for Christians
As mentioned earlier, LLMs generate responses based on patterns in the data they were trained on, but they lack the ability to understand context or make ethical judgments. For this reason, we must remain vigilant, evaluating the accuracy and intent of their outputs and ensuring we don’t become overly reliant on them.
While LLMs are incredibly useful, they have their limitations. It’s crucial not to blindly trust their outputs. Instead, we need to seek truth and accuracy, as LLMs can sometimes produce information that is incorrect or biased. Another significant ethical concern is plagiarism, where LLMs can be used to pass off AI-generated content as original work without proper acknowledgment.
When faced with these issues, it’s essential to examine LLMs (and AI more broadly) in light of Scripture. Here are some biblical principles that can guide us:
- Discernment: 1 Thessalonians 5:21 encourages us to “Test everything; hold fast what is good.” This reminds us to carefully evaluate the content generated by LLMs.
- Honesty: Exodus 20:16, one of the Ten Commandments, teaches us not to "give false testimony against your neighbour." This means we must prioritise truth and integrity in all our digital interactions.
Stewardship: Genesis 1:28 calls us to responsibly use and manage the tools and resources God has given us:
"Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth."
Practical Applications for Christians
Acknowledging these ethical considerations, Christians can use LLMs with appropriate caution. Despite their challenges, LLMs also offer many practical applications that can benefit the church and support ministry.
Ministry and Evangelism
LLMs could be valuable tools for ministry, helping pastors, elders, and church members prepare devotionals, children’s talks, sermons, or study guides. They could also assist in translating content into different languages for outreach, extending the reach of the Gospel beyond the local community and into the global sphere.
Personal Spiritual Growth
On a personal level, LLMs can help create Bible reading plans tailored to specific themes or topics. They can also generate prayer prompts, journaling ideas, or even aid in researching complex theological questions (though it’s important to cross-check such insights with trusted sources).
Conclusion
As we close, it’s worth remembering that LLMs are simply tools—tools to assist us, not replace us. As Christians, we must keep Christ at the centre of all our digital interactions and maintain healthy boundaries, ensuring that technology serves us rather than dominates us.
Take a moment to reflect on this question: “How can you use technology to glorify God in your daily life?”
At the end of the day, technology is a powerful resource that can be used for both good and harm. Our ultimate source of wisdom and guidance must always come from God’s Word.
Philippians 4:8 reminds us:
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right... think about such things."
