Can The Holy Spirit Use Ai? Should Christians Use It?

Can the Holy Spirit Use AI? Should Pastors Use It?

From chatbots that answer questions in seconds to software that writes sermons or creates graphics, AI has made its way into nearly every industry — and the church is no exception.

Like every tool, AI comes with both opportunities and dangers. Used wisely, it can help pastors preach with deeper clarity and staff and volunteers steward their time and resources more effectively. Used unwisely, it can distract us, erode trust, or even replace the very human connection that makes the church unique.

Let’s take a balanced look at how AI could be a blessing in ministry and where it could become a burden.

Ultimately, AI is like Google; your results depend on what you put in. At SermonCentral, pastors are the focus of our content and the main creators of our content. We rely heavily on 3 things to build sermons:

1) The Word - everything we build is rooted in the Word of God and His truth and teachings

2) The Holy Spirit - we want everything we create or touch to be inspired by God

3) Community of Pastors - we have tens of thousands of pastors creating and critiquing our sermon kits, series, and media.

With that said, how can we utilize Google and AI to advance the kingdom of God, and what precautions should we take?

How AI Can Be Helpful in the Church

1. Saving Pastors' Time

Pastors are often overwhelmed by counseling, administration, and scheduling when their real desire is to study Scripture and preach deeply to their congregations. AI can act as the research assistant most pastors wish they had by helping turn what’s on their hearts into first-draft outlines, illustrations, and organized research. While no tool can replace the Spirit’s guidance, AI can reduce the weight of preparation and free pastors to focus on ministry.

2. Enhancing Communication

AI can streamline tasks like creating email campaigns, social media posts, or even church bulletins. This frees up leaders to spend more time with people rather than behind a desk.

3. Reaching the Next Generation

Younger audiences already live in an AI-shaped world. When churches adopt these tools responsibly, they show that the timeless gospel can be shared in timely, relevant ways.

4. Supporting Global Ministry

AI-powered translation tools can break language barriers and make sermons, devotionals, or worship resources accessible to people across the world in real time in every language.

How AI Can Be Harmful in the Church

1. Replacing Dependence on God

When pastors lean too heavily on AI for sermon prep or decision-making, the danger is clear: substituting algorithms for prayer, study, and the Spirit’s leading. Technology should assist, never replace, a pastor’s calling.

2. Diluting Authenticity

Congregations long for a shepherd’s voice, not a machine’s. If a sermon or devotional feels manufactured, people may sense the lack of authenticity and trust can erode.

3. Ethical and Privacy Concerns

AI collects massive amounts of data. Churches must be cautious about how they use tools that handle member information, prayer requests, or financial contributions. Misuse or carelessness could harm the very people they’re called to protect.

4. Dependency and Laziness

Overreliance on AI could encourage shortcuts from sermon prep to discipleship content. The risk isn’t just lower quality, but a loss of depth and discipline in spiritual leadership. Like Google, if you type in the same thing over and over, you’re going to get the same result. These resources, when used without the Holy Spirit, a community of pastors, and ultimately a Christlike motivation, create robotic responses that hinder the Word, not help it.

So What Does the Bible Say About AI?

The short answer is: the Bible doesn’t mention artificial intelligence directly (it didn’t exist in biblical times, obviously). However, Scripture provides us with principles that guide us in thinking wisely about AI and technology. Here are a few directions pastors and believers often draw from:

1. Human Uniqueness vs. Man-Made Imitations

• Genesis 1:26–27 — Humanity is made in the image of God (imago Dei).
  
  “So God created mankind in his own image…”
  
  AI may imitate intelligence, but it does not carry God’s image, soul, or eternal value.

Here’s a PRO sermon that talks about being made in the image of God!

2. Wisdom in Using Tools

• Proverbs 4:7 — “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”
  
  AI is just the latest “tool.” The Bible reminds us to pursue wisdom in how we use (or don’t use) tools for God’s purposes.
  

• 1 Corinthians 10:23 — “All things are permissible, but not all things are beneficial.”
  
  Not every new technology is beneficial for spiritual life. Discernment matters.

Here’s a PRO Sermon on “Information Overload” and trusting God!

3. Warning Against Idols

• Exodus 20:3–4 — “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image…”
  
  If we start to trust AI more than we trust God, or let it replace prayer, study, and Spirit-led ministry, it becomes an idol.

Here’s a PRO sermon ready to preach called “Counterfit Gods”

4. God’s Sovereignty Over Human Creations

• Isaiah 44:9–11 — speaks of craftsmen who make idols that ultimately have no power.
  
  Likewise, AI may seem powerful, but it is still man-made and ultimately under God’s authority.
  

• Psalm 20:7 — “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
  
  Technology changes, but our trust remains in the Lord.

Here’s an entire sermon series talking about “Fools' Gold” and chasing idols!

5. Stewardship and Accountability

• Luke 12:48 — “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded…”
  
  AI gives us powerful abilities to communicate, create, and influence. With that comes the responsibility to use it ethically and in a way that honors God.

Here’s a sermon about stewardship and giving like Christ!

Moving Forward with Wisdom

AI isn’t going away. The question for the church isn’t “Should we use it?” but rather “How should we use it?” The key is discernment. Like the printing press or the internet before it, AI can be harnessed for kingdom purposes if used with prayer, accountability, and wisdom.

Pastors and leaders must ask:

• Does this tool help me better shepherd God’s people?
  

• Am I leaning on this technology more than I lean on Christ?
  

• Does this protect and honor the trust of my congregation?
  

When guided by these questions, the church can engage with AI in a way that amplifies the gospel rather than distracts from it.

?? What do you think? Have you tried AI in your ministry? Share your experiences below — and check out our latest episode of Passing the Pulpit where we explore how pastors can navigate new technologies without losing their pastoral heart.