Hide It in Your Heart Before AI Changes It
As if we don’t have enough reasons to memorize the Word of God, here’s another one: Memorize it before AI alters it. I recently read an article discussing how certain groups are using AI software to rewrite parts of the Bible, to write sermons, and other sacrilege. One example is the animal rights group, PETA, rewriting Genesis to make it “vegan.” One of the changes it includes is Adam and Eve wearing clothing made from hemp, rather than animal skins after their fall in the garden.
I know this goes off my original topic of this post, but I need to address some issues regarding changing the Word of God. There are so many things wrong with this. To begin with, it’s messing with the Word of God. Scripture is pretty clear about adding to or subtracting from His Word (see Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:5-6, and Revelation 22:18). When we change the Word, then we are taking the name of God in vain and creating an idol. We take who God truly is (as His Word declares who He truly is) and shape Him into our image. We say God is this way, not the way He says in His Holy Scripture. But if we say God is really this way and not the way presented in Scripture, then who’s the liar: you or God? When we form God into who we think He is, then our god is no longer the God of the Bible, but an idol of our own making. So, just by changing the Word of God we have broken at least two commandments.
Also, in the case of PETA’s rewriting of Genesis, they took away part of Christ’s story, leaving man to be condemned for eternity. For example, with regard to Adam and Eve wearing animal skin: It showed something needed to be sacrificed for their sin and shame to be covered. This pointed to Christ and foreshadowed His sacrifice for us to cover our sin and shame. Because of Him, we no longer need to make sacrifices to atone for our sins. By changing it to hemp cloth, then no sacrifice had to be made to cover Adam and Eve’s sin. Their sin still remained (no matter what PETA writes). If there’s no sacrifice, then there’s no redemption. If there’s no redemption, then we’re all still condemned to hell and eternal separation from our Heavenly Father. Again, by altering the Word of God, they have traded in the truth of our desperate need for a Savior and replaced it with a lie leading to death. Okay, I’m done ranting, for now.
So, back to my original purpose of this post. As I read this article, it made me realize how it’s even more important to memorize the Word of God before AI alters it. In the past, when I thought about reasons as to why we should memorize Scripture, I always thought of situations where we would no longer be allowed to own a Bible (like in North Korea). And honestly, that is still a possible situation. I never thought though, until the other day, that we should memorize it to know the truth of God’s Word before some software changes it to fit the world’s idea of Christianity.
I’m not worried that the Word of God will be erased. Even if AI changes the Bible, the true Word will still exist in some form or another. God’s Word is eternal (Isaiah 40:8). As much as the enemy would like to alter God’s Word, he can’t. My concern is this: biblical literacy. How will we know the truth from the counterfeit if we don’t know His Word now?
In an article written by Albert Mohler regarding biblical illiteracy, he writes, “Multiple surveys reveal the problem in stark terms. According to 82 percent of Americans, ‘God helps those who help themselves,’ is a Bible verse. Those identified as born-again Christians did better–by one percent…As the nation’s civic conversation is stripped of all biblical references and content, Americans increasingly live in a Scripture-free public space. Confusion and ignorance of the Bible’s content should be assumed in post-Christian America…The larger scandal is biblical ignorance among Christians.”1 For the record, “God helps those who help themselves” is not a verse found in the Bible. Though this article may have been written 20 years ago, the truth of it still stands today according to more recent surveys.
According to American Bible Society’s most recent State of the Bible survey, 39% of American adults claim to be Bible users. Only 24% claim to read the Bible once a week outside of church.2 So, what does this mean? It means we’re not studying the Bible the way we should.
The ancient Israelites were instructed in Deuteronomy to diligently teach their children God’s commandments, to bind them on their hearts, and to talk about them day and night (Deuteronomy 6:6-8). In 2 Timothy, Paul encourages Timothy to study God’s word in order to rightly handle the word of truth (see 2 Timothy 2:15). How can we rightly handle the word of God if we don’t know it or understand it? How can we teach His commandments to our kids if we don’t know them?
When I worked as a teller at a bank, part of my training included studying a $100 bill to know the attributes of the bill: symbols, numbers, signatures, paper quality, security bands, water marks, and so on. We didn’t study the counterfeit because there were numerous counterfeits. Instead, we studied the true bill to know what it looked and felt like. This could be said about studying the Bible. We study the true Word of God to know what He says, who He says He is, His actions, His commandments, and so on. Studying His Word will help us spot the counterfeits – human or not.
It is time to get serious about not just knowing the Word of God, but memorizing it as well. In Psalm 119, David writes, “I have stored up Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You,” (Psalm 119:11, italicized for emphasis). Paul tells Timothy that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” (2 Timothy 3:16, italicized for emphasis). These reasons (the italicized words above) alone should encourage us to memorize His word. But in case they don’t, then do it to protect yourself from falling victim to AI-generated content that may twist Scripture, even just the slightest bit, to fit someone’s agenda.
I’ll admit, I’ve grown a bit laxed in my endeavor to memorize Scripture (I’m still studying it, just not memorizing it). So, now I’m challenging myself. I’m starting with the book of John. What about you? What verses or chapters or books can you begin to memorize? Start with a verse or two and begin memorizing it through recitation. Hand copying the text helps as well. Put the verse to a song to help you memorize it. Listen to the text on repeat. Challenge friends and family to memorize it with you. There are many ways to memorize a verse. Just start doing it. I know the Bible is a big book. Start small and be diligent. Hide it in your heart so you can spot the truth from the counterfeit.
1 Mohler, Albert (Sept. 2003), “The Scandal of Biblical Illiteracy: It’s Our Problem” https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/the-scandal-of-biblical-illiteracy-its-our-problem-1218766.html
2 (April 2023) “American Bible Society’s New Study Shows Urgent Ministry Opportunity with ‘Bible Explorers’” https://news.americanbible.org/blog/entry/corporate-blog/american-bible-societys-new-study-shows-urgent-ministry-opportunity
