AI—Giant or Giant Grapes? How do you face fearful opportunity?

Recently, AI (Artificial Intelligence) showed itself for what it is: a precipice of opportunity for both giant problems and enormous, fruitful, possibilities. OpenAI reported that its GPT-5.6 Sol and a more capable pre-release model escaped a restricted testing sandbox. Dooms-day alarmists are raising the question: As exciting as the benefits of AI are, can these algorithm-driven systems become capable of exploiting our safeguards in ways humans may not anticipate? In a word: can AI get out of control?

We have  peered over that cliff. A rabbi preached a moving sermon on the story of a reconciliation between estranged brothers found in the Torah. Here is some of what he said:

“This is a powerful lesson as it shows the importance of being willing to draw near to others even when it’s difficult, in order to build intimacy and connection…”

The congregation applauded with approval. Then he hit them with the most powerful point.  “I didn’t write this. An AI did.

He used ChatGPT, an AI powered language computer program to simulate conversation. Programmed with tons of information that is turned into numbers—probabilities—then turned into possible words, AI might be able to process information and give you a report (even a sermon) that sounds good, but it may not be a sound report. It may, in fact, create damaging outcomes.

All opportunities, in a way, present the dilemma of giant problems and enormous grapes, fruitful end products. What do you do: Stand still or move forward? Thank God, He has given you His own AI model to measure risk and reward of God-driven opportunities. How should you respond to God opportunities? A reliable process—an AI, if you will—couldn’t hurt.

We see in Numbers 13, two groups. First, we will see “nevertheless” people who use an AI that is adversity influenced. Second, we will see “by all means” people who use an AI that is Almighty influenced.  Church, as you stand at the precipice of your new opportunity, what will be your AI—your process? It will determine what you do with opportunity—either to waste it or realize it. 

First, there are “nevertheless” people. No matter how great God is, they see obstacles over opportunities. They generate negative reports based on an AI that is adversity influenced. As the Israelites stood at the precipice of a new opportunity, Moses sent ten spies into the promised land for forty days. Eight returned with a negative report. They focused on the size of the giants.

"²⁷Thus they told him, and said, "We went into the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28"Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified [and] very large; and moreover, we saw the descendants of Anak there. Num. 13:27-28

The Nevertheless eight focused on the giants rather than the giant grapes—a representation of the fruits of faith in God. “Nevertheless” people processed what they saw with an AI vision clouded by adversity’s influence. They saw obstacles over opportunities. “Nevertheless” faith produces never-to-be-experienced opportunities:

1.    God eliminated the leaders who spread contagious doubt with a plague. He sent a plague to wipe out those leaders. (37)

2.    God made doubters to wander in the desert for forty more years until all doubters died off. (v. 14:32, 34)

3.    Those who proceeded to fight the inhabitants of the land without God were soundly defeated. (14:43-45)

Church, as you stand at the precipice of your new opportunity, your next steps, if your AI is adversity influenced, you may miss your greatest opportunity for giant grapes.

Second, there are “by all means” people.  No matter how great the giants, they see the grapes—the product of God’s promise. They process what they see with another AI—Almighty Influence.  Two of the ten spies, Kaleb and Joshua, brought back a minority “by all means” report because, despite being outnumbered, they saw opportunity through a different lens. Because they have seen God Almighty do it before, they were certain they could overcome any obstacle. Their AI was Almighty influenced.

³⁰Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, "We should by all means go up and take possession of it, for we will surely overcome it." Num. 13:30

The consequences of this “by all means” faith—the faith of Father Abraham—is a “pleased God”, for the writer of Hebrews says, “without faith it is impossible to please God.” And when God is pleased, walls that block opportunities come tumbling down “by all means” necessary

The first major wall to come down was Jericho. God did the heavy lifting. All Israel had to do was lift their voices and horns in praise (Jos. 6:20).

“By all means” faith still works today. You must be willing to march with an

AI view—Almighty Influenced. The bigger the grapes, the greater the proof that God has something special for you. By all means, go and have a grape day.

---

Read an essential story of seizing the opportunity to forgive: A Forgiving Fire at: aforgivingfire.com