Outputs are no longer determined by inputs
For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect. Matthew 24:24
Back in the business world I remember asking my VP of Finance what the numbers looked like for this quarter, only to get the response, what do you want them to look like. Though that may sound funny, sadly it is representative of what happens all too often in our world today. In an objective, common sense world, you could usually determine what your outcomes were going to be by examining the inputs…no more.
The problem…algorithms. An algorithm can be thought of as a recipe that outlines the necessary steps to achieve a desired outcome. So, in theory, a carefully constructed algorithm or formula can take whatever the input is and make the outcome anything it wants. In other words, the designer of the algorithm determines the outcome or truth they desire.
In our world today this is happening all around us causing major problems and confusion. Depending upon the news media we watch, the social media platforms we go to, and even the places we shop, algorithms track us and feed us information we want based upon our behavior. This results in our not being exposed to anything other than our presupposed ideas, notions, likes or dislikes.
On the purely innocent marketing side of this I do not sense any evil motive. However, on the social and political science side I sense deliberate efforts to deceive, separate and destroy. Take any hotly contested topic today and we all know them—the President, Supreme Court, abortion, gun rights, climate change, vaccines, sexual practices—there is not enough room here to list them all.
Take any on this list you want and depending upon where you get your output information, you will have an opinion. Because most people are not thoughtful or patient enough to go deeper on any issue, they never encounter alternative outcomes being communicated through different channels. So, you might ask, why are we talking about this? Let’s look at 1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons,
My concern is for those of us who call ourselves followers of Christ. We are living in very deceitful times, and I am not sure we are living wisely. I am persuaded that many people who call themselves Christian are not truly in Christ.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
For me, being in Christ means I am all in—I have an intimate relationship with my Lord. I am spending time with Him every day without fail. This is the only way I can live by the Spirit, and we must be living this way if we are to succeed and not be deceived.
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14
If you look again at our opening verse, it says that, if possible, even the elect will be deceived. Note the, if possible. What that verse is saying is that it is NOT possible for you to be deceived if you are the elect. Who is the elect? We should take that to mean those who are truly in Him.
Let’s have some fun with this next verse and see if it makes sense:
For the time will come (today) when they will not endure sound doctrine (truth); but wanting to have their ears tickled (desiring the truth they want) , they will accumulate for themselves teachers (algorithms) in accordance to their own desires (outcomes), and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside (only look one way) to myths (believe the lies). 2 Timothy 4:3-4
My friend this is where we are today, and I urge you to take this message seriously. Some important ideas to consider ant take to prayer:
- The Bible is your best algorithm—filter everything through it
- Do not believe anything you see or experience on social media—research
- AI is creating tremendous confusion and pushing many lies—never trust it
- Pray every morning that God give you spiritual eyes to see life through Him
- Remember that common sense is what man relies on—spiritual discernment leads to ultimate truth
- Continually seek the Holy Spirit for discernment in all things to determine ultimate truth and not what appears to be logical to the world
Please watch this 12-minute video that will help you understand how to have an intimate relationship with God.
(Knowing God)