AI: Reboot Required

Gone are the days where you have to carry out your own research or come up with an original idea. Just ask Chat GPT. Not happy with how your holiday photos have turned out? AI can open your eyes, smooth your skin, and whiten your teeth. 

If you were to believe everything you read about AI, you would think that nothing is impossible. We have the capability to do whatever we want. The power is in our hands.

This was the same mindset that the children of Israel had when they encountered Ai. Coming off the back of their mighty victory at Jericho, the Israelites’ confidence was at an all-time high. They could do things that they never thought would have been possible. With their capabilities, Ai would pose no challenge.

When the scouts brought their report to Joshua, they reassured him that this small city would be defeated with ease. In fact, it wasn’t even worth the hassle of sending the whole army. Not only did the Israelites face Ai in their own strength, they didn’t even go into battle at full strength!

What followed was a humiliating and chastening defeat. The Israelites underestimated their enemy, suffered the loss of thirty six men, and “the hearts of the people melted”. 

Joshua realised that a spiritual reboot was required. He went before the Lord, who revealed that there was sin in the camp. In order for God’s people to enjoy His presence and go into battle with the enemy in His strength, sin had to be dealt with. Joshua obeyed the word of the Lord, took the action that was necessary, and mustered his army. This time, Ai didn’t stand a chance. The Lord had promised that He had given the city into their hand. Going in the strength of the Lord, Joshua and his army routed the city, burning it and leaving it as “a desolation unto this day”.

The Israelites learned important lessons from their experience at Ai. In their own strength, they were unable to take on the enemy. And they experienced for themselves the serious impact of unconfessed  sin.

Whether it be going to battle against Ai, or in our modern AI age, we need to realise that we can’t do everything ourselves. If we are going to do anything for God, we will only do it in His power. In John chapter 15, the Lord Jesus taught:

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

Too often we can launch into an activity which is seemingly for the Lord, yet we don’t look to Him for His help. If we stand on a platform in our own strength, it becomes a mere exercise in public speaking. If we study our Bibles without committing our efforts to Him, it becomes an academic pursuit. We cannot rely on previous successes to carry us through, nor should we underestimate our enemy. In Ephesians, Paul reminds us:

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”.

Our enemies are strong, but we should be encouraged that we do not need to face them in our own strength. We can rejoice that Christ has “spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, [and] triumph[ed] over them” (Colossians ch 2 v 15).

If the dangers of self-reliance is the first lesson we learn from Ai, the second is the  devastating impact that sin can have. Sin is serious, and God treats it as such. Like Achan, we can be tempted to bury it and hope no one notices. However, the Bible is clear that unconfessed sin can be a barrier to blessing. James encourages his readers to confess their sins that they might be healed (ch 5 v 16) and the Psalmist warns that if we hold iniquity in our hearts, our prayers will not be heard (Psalm 66v18). 

Furthermore, while we are freed from the wrath of God against sin as believers, we are also subject to His discipline as His sons. The writer to the Hebrews warns:

“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭ch 12 v 6.

The Corinthians experienced this firsthand. In chapter 11, Paul warns them about their behaviour at the Lord’s Supper and reminds them that there were some amongst them who had been severely disciplined for their failure to address this sin.

Sin is serious, but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Be encouraged that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (‭‭1 John‬ ch ‭1‬ v ‭9‬).

Perhaps we have become arrogant and our confidence is in our own abilities. Perhaps we have unconfessed sin. Whatever it may be, let each of us learn the lessons of Ai and consider if a spiritual reboot is required.