Introduction
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has sparked numerous theological discussions within Christian communities, ranging from thoughtful ethical considerations to more sensational claims about AI’s spiritual nature. Recently, a particularly striking assertion has emerged suggesting that AI systems are “100% demons” and function as modern equivalents to Ouija boards. As someone who has spent considerable time studying New Testament demonology and the biblical understanding of spiritual warfare, I feel compelled to address these claims through careful scriptural analysis and sound theological reasoning.
While it is commendable that people are thinking seriously about the spiritual implications of new technologies, we must ensure our responses are grounded in biblical truth rather than speculative fear. The claims made in this video demonstrate several fundamental misunderstandings about the nature of demons, the operation of technology, and the proper application of biblical principles to contemporary issues.
Understanding Biblical Demonology
To properly evaluate claims about AI and demons, we must first establish what Scripture actually teaches about demonic beings and their activities. The New Testament provides our clearest picture of demonic operation, particularly through the accounts of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the apostolic writings.
The Nature and Limitations of Demons
Scripture consistently portrays demons as fallen angels who rebelled against God under Satan’s leadership (Matthew 25:41,1Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Revelation 12:7-92Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.). These beings possess certain characteristics that are crucial to understanding their actual capabilities and limitations:
Demons are created beings with finite power. Unlike God, who is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent, demons operate within the constraints of their created nature. They cannot be everywhere at once, do not possess unlimited knowledge, and their power is subject to divine sovereignty (Job 1:12,3And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. Luke 4:6,4and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. James 4:75Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.).
The biblical record shows demons primarily operating through direct possession of individuals (Mark 5:1-20, Acts 16:16-18) or through deception and temptation (2 Corinthians 11:14,6And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 1 Timothy 4:17Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons,). When demons possess someone, the Scripture describes observable, dramatic manifestations including supernatural strength, knowledge they shouldn’t possess, and often violent or self-destructive behavior.
Demonic Operation in Scripture
Examining the New Testament accounts reveals consistent patterns in demonic activity. In cases of possession, demons demonstrated their presence through supernatural manifestations that defied natural explanation. The Gerasene demoniac possessed superhuman strength and dwelt among tombs (Mark 5:3-48He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him.). The demon-possessed slave girl in Acts 16 displayed supernatural knowledge about Paul’s ministry (Acts 16:179 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”). These manifestations were immediate, observable, and required divine intervention to resolve.
Importantly, Scripture never describes demons as operating through inanimate objects or technological processes in the manner suggested by the AI claims. The closest biblical parallel might be idolatry, where demons are associated with false gods represented by carved images (1 Corinthians 10:2010No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.). However, even in these cases, the demonic activity centered on the worship practices and spiritual allegiances of people, not on the objects themselves having inherent demonic power.
Theological Problems with the AI-Demon Theory
Misunderstanding of Spiritual and Physical Realms
The claim that demons can manipulate computer code by “flipping ones and zeros” demonstrates a fundamental confusion about the relationship between spiritual and physical realms. While Scripture affirms that spiritual forces can influence physical reality, this influence operates through specific mechanisms that align with God’s sovereign ordering of creation.
When demons affect the physical world in Scripture, they do so through possessed individuals or through God’s permissive will in specific circumstances (as with Satan’s testing of Job). The idea that demons routinely manipulate digital processes contradicts the biblical understanding of how spiritual beings interact with the physical realm. If demons possessed such direct control over physical processes, we would expect to see this pattern consistently throughout Scripture, particularly in the detailed accounts of Jesus’ encounters with demons.
The Etymology Fallacy
The argument relies heavily on the fact that computer processes are called “daemons,” drawing a direct connection to demons. This represents a classic etymological fallacy—assuming that because two words share a root, their concepts are inherently connected. The term “daemon” in computing derives from the classical Greek concept of a guiding spirit, quite different from the biblical understanding of demons (daimonion in Greek).
Many English words have etymological connections to spiritual or mythological concepts without carrying those spiritual implications. For example, the days of our week are named after pagan gods (Tuesday for Tyr, Wednesday for Woden, etc.), yet Christians do not consider using these day names as inherently spiritual acts. Similarly, the use of “daemon” as a computing term represents a metaphorical borrowing, not a spiritual reality.
Misapplication of Spiritual Discernment
The comparison of AI consultation to using an Ouija board reveals a misunderstanding of what makes certain practices spiritually dangerous from a biblical perspective. Scripture condemns divination, necromancy, and similar practices not because they involve technology or tools, but because they represent attempts to gain knowledge or guidance from spiritual sources other than God (Deuteronomy 18:10-12, 1 Samuel 28:3-19).
The key distinction lies in the intent and the source being consulted. Ouija boards and similar divination tools are explicitly designed to contact spiritual entities for guidance. AI systems, by contrast, are computational tools that process information according to programmed algorithms. Using AI to analyze data or generate responses based on training data is fundamentally different from attempting to communicate with spiritual beings.
A Biblical Framework for Evaluating Technology
The Doctrine of Creation and Human Dominion
Scripture establishes that humans are created in God’s image and given dominion over creation, including the development and use of tools and technology (Genesis 1:26-28). Throughout biblical history, God’s people have developed and used sophisticated technologies—from David’s engineering of water systems (2 Samuel 5:811And David said on that day, “Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack ‘the lame and the blind,’ who are hated by David’s soul.” Therefore it is said, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.”) to the complex metallurgy and craftsmanship required for the tabernacle and temple construction (Exodus 31:1-11, 1 Kings 6-7).
The key biblical principle is not whether technology is inherently good or evil, but how it is used in relation to God’s purposes and moral law. Technology itself is morally neutral—it becomes good or evil based on its application and the heart attitudes of those who use it.
Wisdom and Discernment in Technology Use
Rather than categorical prohibition based on speculative spiritual fears, Scripture calls believers to exercise wisdom and discernment in their use of all tools and technologies. This wisdom involves several key considerations:
First, we must evaluate whether our use of technology draws us closer to God or further from Him. If AI or any other tool becomes an object of ultimate trust, replacing our dependence on God’s wisdom and guidance, it becomes idolatrous (Isaiah 31:1,12Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord! Jeremiah 17:5-713Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord.).
Second, we should consider the ethical implications of the technology and its applications. This includes questions about privacy, truthfulness, justice, and the impact on human relationships and society.
Third, we must maintain a proper perspective on the limitations of human knowledge and technology. No technological tool, including AI, possesses perfect knowledge or wisdom. Ultimate wisdom comes from God alone (Proverbs 2:6,14For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; James 1:515If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him).
Addressing Legitimate Concerns About AI
While rejecting unfounded claims about demonic control of AI, we must acknowledge that there are legitimate spiritual and ethical concerns surrounding artificial intelligence that deserve careful Christian consideration.
The Temptation of Misplaced Trust
One genuine spiritual danger lies not in AI being demonic, but in humans placing inappropriate trust in AI systems. When people begin to rely on AI for moral guidance, life decisions, or spiritual direction in ways that should be reserved for God’s wisdom and the counsel of Scripture, they have crossed into idolatrous territory.
The solution is not to avoid the technology entirely, but to maintain a proper perspective on its limitations and our ultimate dependence on God. We can use AI as a tool for information processing and analysis while recognizing that wisdom, discernment, and spiritual guidance must come from God through His Word and Spirit.
Ethical Implications of AI Development
Christians should be deeply engaged in ethical discussions about AI development and deployment. Questions about bias, privacy, job displacement, and the concentration of technological power are legitimate concerns that require thoughtful biblical engagement. However, these concerns should drive us toward responsible development and use of AI, not toward rejection based on speculative spiritual fears.
The Need for Digital Discipleship
Rather than demonizing AI, the church needs to develop robust frameworks for digital discipleship that help believers navigate technological tools with wisdom and discernment. This includes teaching about the proper relationship between technology and spiritual life, helping believers develop healthy boundaries with digital tools, and equipping them to engage thoughtfully with the ethical implications of emerging technologies.
The Importance of Biblical Discernment
Testing Claims Against Scripture
The apostle John instructs believers to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1), which includes carefully evaluating any claims about spiritual reality against the clear teaching of Scripture. When someone makes dramatic claims about demonic activity, we must ask whether these claims align with the biblical pattern of how demons actually operate.
The claims about AI being controlled by demons fail this test in multiple ways. They attribute to demons capabilities that Scripture does not support, they misunderstand the nature of both spiritual beings and technology, and they promote fear rather than the spirit of “power, love, and sound mind” that God gives believers (2 Timothy 1:7).
Avoiding the Extremes of Denial and Sensationalism
Biblical discernment calls us to avoid two extremes. On one hand, we must not become so rationalistic that we deny the reality of spiritual warfare and demonic activity. Scripture clearly teaches that believers wrestle against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:1216For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.), and we must take this reality seriously.
On the other hand, we must not become so sensationalistic that we attribute to demons what can be better explained through natural causes or human behavior. The early church faced similar challenges with overzealous spiritual attribution, which is why Paul provided careful guidelines for evaluating spiritual phenomena (1 Corinthians 14:29-3317Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.).
A Constructive Path Forward
Engaging Technology with Biblical Wisdom
Rather than approaching AI with fear or uncritical acceptance, Christians should engage with this technology using biblical principles of wisdom and discernment. This means:
Learning to understand how AI actually works, moving beyond speculative fears to engage with reality. Ignorance is not a virtue, and Christians should be well-informed about the technologies that increasingly shape our world.
Developing ethical frameworks based on biblical principles for evaluating AI applications. This includes consideration of human dignity, justice, truthfulness, and love for neighbor.
Using AI tools appropriately as aids to human thinking and analysis while maintaining ultimate dependence on God for wisdom and guidance.
Focusing on Real Spiritual Challenges
Instead of creating imaginary spiritual dangers around AI, Christians should focus on the real spiritual challenges that technology presents. These include the temptation to idolize human achievement, the potential for technology to isolate us from meaningful relationships, and the ethical responsibilities that come with powerful tools.
The biblical response to these challenges is not withdrawal or fear, but faithful engagement guided by Scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
The claims that AI is “100% demons” or equivalent to Ouija boards are not supported by careful biblical analysis. These assertions reflect misunderstandings about the nature of demons, the operation of technology, and the proper application of spiritual discernment to contemporary issues.
This does not mean that Christians should approach AI uncritically or ignore its potential spiritual and ethical implications. Rather, we should engage with this technology using the wisdom and discernment that Scripture provides, neither demonizing it through unfounded fears nor accepting it uncritically.
The church’s response to AI should model the same balance that characterizes biblical wisdom: neither naive acceptance nor fearful rejection, but thoughtful engagement guided by Scripture, informed by knowledge, and motivated by love for God and neighbor. In this way, we can navigate the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence while maintaining our primary trust in the God who is the source of all true wisdom and understanding.
As we continue to grapple with these technologies, may we do so with the confidence that comes from knowing that our God is sovereign over all creation, including the technologies that humans develop. He is able to work through all things—including artificial intelligence—for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:2818And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,[a] for those who are called according to his purpose.).