This week’s Truth Keepers for Truth Seekers column is about when to say no to apps like Google, YouTube, and ChatGPT by drawing a parable by Jesus Christ.
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People these days seem to have a quick mouth, or tongue that can say anything, anytime without regards of the listeners’ feelings, emotions, intellect level or where they are at that moment.
They are even quicker to rely on their little devices or tablets to Google, use Google map, YouTube videos, and since 2022 ChatGPT, now a very popular search engine. That app is able to compile and summarise vast amounts of data for you to give you a summary of the answer “they” think you need.
For those of you not too familiar with ChatGPT, this maybe new app, this is what it means:
ChatGPT was created by OpenAI, an AI research company. It started as a nonprofit company in 2015 but became for-profit in 2019. Its CEO is Sam Altman, who also co-founded the company. OpenAI released ChatGPT as a free “research preview” in November 2022.
However, relying on any of those search engines or apps, might not be to your advantage.
Should you use them? Depends on your “why”, frequency and you relying on this app and nothing else.
What can come in? Fear. What can it replace? Faith in yourself, common sense and faith in our Creator.
Two weeks ago, my article was named: Which glasses are you wearing? Fear was addressed and how to overcome it.
With the overload of information we can get these days, we can get so much that fear can easily creep in. ChatGPT can tell you what to eat, what not to eat and why. Depending on what you like or not like it will tell you what is healthy or what is not and what are the side effects of whatever food.
Result? We let ChatGPT decide what to eat and not to eat and fear can come in: “what if?” Had you done research a little different and chosen another variety, a certain food would come up and you will try to consume that one.
What did you forget? You are you! What your body can tolerate or not, someone else can or cannot. You forgot to listen to your common sense and got fearful for nothing.
We all have a brain and a mind which we need to use daily. If not and we let ChatGPT and AI decide for us; we are telling ourselves that we cannot think wisely anymore or make decisions without it.
Overload of info will tell you how to get sick instead of healthy because it takes away asking the One who created you. Or it tries to replace your instinct or conscience. It swaps “the unique you” because your uniquely common sense will get thrown out.
A good guide for anyone reading this, might be to ask the following questions before you look for information about anything.
1. Do I need this information right now?
2. Why will I research on this topic or question on my mind? What is my motive?
3. What will I do with the information I will be gathering?
4. How much time do I want to spend on this? Can I be disciplined enough to stop myself after a certain amount of time?
5. If it starts making me fearful or get my mind in the wrong direction, will I be able to stop myself from gathering the info I am getting?
6. Do I just want to get info to get information because I have nothing better to do?
7. Do I gather it for some possible “future” scenario that might or might never happen “just in case”?
BUT: Can’t we decide what we want our minds to be occupied with, what we want to think about? Our minds are created brilliantly but we can now with no trouble replace it because it is so easy to use any of those search engines, apps etc.
Learn to say: “no” to yourself and others spouting of their information which might be AI or Chat GPT or whatever research they have done. The Bible calls that being wise.
Here is a story from our precious Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
He relayed the following story regarding being wise or foolish. (from Matthew 25 in the New testament) . He is talking about the time He will be coming back. Most religions do agree that Someone is coming back. As believers, we trust it is Jesus Christ Himself. This is what He told His disciples about 2000 years ago.
“At the time my coming draws near, heaven’s kingdom realm can be compared to ten maidens who took their oil lamps and went outside to meet the bridegroom and his bride.”
Five of them were foolish and ill-prepared, for they took no extra oil for their lamps. Five of them were wise and sensible, for they took flasks of olive oil with their lamps.
When the bridegroom didn’t come when they expected, they all grew drowsy and fell asleep.
Then suddenly, in the middle of the night, they were awakened by the shout ‘Get up! The bridegroom is here! Come out and have an encounter with him!’
So all the girls got up and trimmed their lamps.
But the foolish ones were running out of oil, so they said to the five wise ones, ‘Share your oil with us, because our lamps are going out!’ (they demanded oil, they wanted it for free)
‘No,’ said the wise ones, ‘or there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ (They said “No” and Jesus called that wise! Why? Because the foolish ones “demanded” what the wise ones had paid for. The foolish ones wanted for free what someone else had most likely worked for because they treasured that oil and treasured the promise of His return. So they prepared and were ready anytime even in the night. The foolish ones finally went to work, but it was too late)
“While the five girls were out buying oil, the bridegroom appeared. Those who were ready and waiting were escorted inside with him and the wedding party to enjoy the feast. And then the door was locked. Later, the five foolish girls came running up to the door and pleaded, ‘Lord, Lord, let us come in!’ “But he called back, ‘Go away! Do I know you? I can assure you, I don’t even know you!’ That is the reason you should always stay awake and be alert, because you don’t know the day or hour when the Bridegroom will appear.” (end of his story or parable)
Many things to learn from here.
Today, I wanted to point out the fact of deciding to have the courage of learning to say “no” to either yourself or others and when to say “yes”.
Remember, saying yes to one means saying no to someone else who needs you or your services at the same time. You can decide what is most important to you and the other party that moment and use your God-given wisdom to decide instead of putting yourself in a difficult awkward situation to at least one party because obviously you cannot please both at the same time.
When it comes to information, you say yes or no to it, whether you need or even want it then and if it is helpful right then. Trust that you have a sharp brain and AI or an App can never replace that.
The coming week, instead of overloading yourself, give yourself a break and start thinking again. And become creative!
If you receive information, do something with it within 24 hours or delete it. You most likely have to look it up again if you “save it” for the future.
Be blessed as you learn to be the decision maker over your future, mind, words, actions and interactions with the people around you.
Be wise! Say no when you have to and yes when it is the best thing to do for everyone.
In God’s eyes you already are wise. Humans are the only species that have been given a mind to think with and decide with.
Blessings,
Akhrienuo