Lesson 3

Deceived by Design: Lies, Deepfakes, and the Father of Lies

Three Faces of Deception in AI

Computers didn't eat from the tree, Humans did. Then they created machines.

As Scripture tells us, Satan is the father of lies — and AI is already being used to multiply his influence at digital speed. From deepfakes to algorithmic manipulation, we now face a new wave of deception that can imitate reality, twist truth, and shape hearts without people even realizing it.

This isn’t just about technology — it’s about spiritual warfare in the age of machines.

Key memory verse: “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God...” — 1 John 4:1

Deepfakes & Voice Cloning

Imagine answering a phone call from your son—or watching a video message from your mother—only to discover later that it was a complete fabrication, crafted by AI to manipulate you emotionally and financially. (You might be more susceptible if your family actually does that already!)

On a serious note, these aren’t hypothetical scenarios: in India, scammers recently cloned the voice of a terrified child in a bogus kidnapping, convincing a widow to wire payments—only to reveal the child was safe all along. In Wichita, a mother nearly lost $25,000 after receiving a voice-cloned call claiming it was her injured son needing bail money. Even celebrity deepfakes are scam tools: a man in the U.K. was tricked into sending £200 to a fake “Jennifer Aniston” who professed love over video to cover “Apple subscription fees.” These synthetic realities shatter trust in what we see and hear—weaponizing our most intimate relationships and crippling our ability to know truth.

Generative Misinformation

Fake news has long been a problem in politics, but AI has taken it far beyond simple media bias—now it’s a crisis of truth at lightning speed. As Mark Twain warned, “A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its shoes.”

Today, AI can generate articles, fake quotes, and chatbot messages that flood the internet with convincing falsehoods. Authoritarian regimes are already using this technology to control their people, spreading propaganda that twists reality and enforces obedience. Recently, OpenAI proposed partnerships with ten nations through the so-called “Stargate” program, which risks giving these governments significant influence—or even control—over AI tools and the flow of information in their countries. This scenario is remarkably parallel to the prophecy in Revelation 17:12, where ten kings receive authority “for one hour” along with the beast. The world calls this “intelligence,” yet the instability of information has never been greater.

In 2023, an AI-generated fake image of an explosion near the Pentagon caused U.S. markets to plunge, wiping out billions in minutes before the truth came out. This showed how AI misinformation can quickly create real-world chaos. As Christians, we must stay grounded in God’s truth amid the world’s unstable narratives.

Algorithmic Manipulation (Echo Chambers)

Algorithmic manipulation — when computer programs control what you see — through personalization engines, which are systems that customize content just for you, creates echo chambers, or online bubbles where you only see ideas similar to your own. This subtly reinforces existing biases, limits exposure to diverse different viewpoints, and encourages isolation or tribalism (dividing people into groups and cutting off connection).

These algorithms learn an individual’s interests and preferences over time, using AI to make content as addictive and engaging as possible. It’s like having a self-learning spy constantly watching and adapting to you, nudging your beliefs gradually without your awareness. This ever-evolving influence can be trained to pull a person further and further away from biblical truth, shaping their thinking in ways that undermine faith and spiritual clarity. As Jesus warned in Matthew 24:24, “...if it were possible, even the elect would be deceived.” The danger lies in how seamlessly and persistently this manipulation can steer someone off course while they remain unaware of the forces guiding their perspective.

Frances Haugen, a former Facebook product manager and whistleblower, revealed that Facebook’s AI-driven algorithms prioritize emotionally charged and divisive content to maximize engagement. This creates echo chambers that slowly shift users’ beliefs without them realizing it. She warned that the system acts like a self-learning spy, steering people away from balanced truth over time. (Senate Commerce Committee’s consumer protection subcommittee on October 5, 2021)

Summary:

The three main methods of deception through AI—deepfakes and voice cloning, algorithmic manipulation that creates echo chambers, and the imitation of spiritual authority—should serve as a stark and serious wake-up call for us as believers. These technologies represent a biblical-level unfolding of revelation events, where virtually anything becomes possible, providing governments and corporations with an excuse to tighten control over identities, finances, and the flow of information. Jesus said in Luke 11:23, “Whoever is not with me is against me,” illustrating that those who oppose God’s truth, whether individuals, corporations, or governments, ultimately stand against Him. Sadly, many institutions fall into this opposing stance, which is not good news given they will be responsible for managing the fallout of AI’s misuse on a predominantly secular world—where studies show over 60% of the global population identify as non-religious or unaffiliated. This reality points to a prophetic increase in manipulation and control as foretold in Scripture. Now more than ever, believers must discern the spirits behind AI’s rise, recognizing how these forces aim to deceive and mislead humanity. As 1 John 4:1 warns, “test the spirits to see whether they are from God,” reminding us to stay vigilant amid counterfeit voices and synthetic realities. Whether it is scammers, governments or corporations, you are dealing with the spirit behind the tech and not the tech itself (so far).

assorted-title books
assorted-title books
A sticker says "trust jesus" on a worn surface.
A sticker says "trust jesus" on a worn surface.

Citing The Sources

On AI Deepfakes, Voice Cloning, and Real Cases of Fraud

On Algorithmic Manipulation, Echo Chambers, and AI-Driven Misinformation

On Biblical Prophecy and AI-related Themes

General AI and Ethics Discussions

Biblical Verses to Support This Lesson:

  1. Deuteronomy 18:20–22
    “But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded… is to be put to death… You may say to yourselves, ‘How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord?’”
    (Highlights the importance of discerning true prophetic words from false ones—critical in the age of synthetic spiritual voices.)

  2. Jeremiah 23:16
    “This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes…’”
    (Warns against false prophets spreading deceptive messages, paralleling AI-generated false doctrines.)

  3. 1 Timothy 4:1
    “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”
    (Describes spiritual deception that fits the rise of counterfeit spiritual guidance through AI.)

  4. Matthew 7:15
    “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
    (A warning to be cautious of deceptive appearances—like AI imitating trusted spiritual voices.)

  5. Psalm 101:7
    “No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.”
    (Emphasizes God’s rejection of falsehood and deception.)

  6. Proverbs 14:15
    “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.”
    (Calls for wisdom and careful discernment, vital when confronted with AI’s synthetic realities.)

  7. John 10:27
    “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
    (Reminds believers to recognize and follow God’s true voice amidst counterfeit ones.)

  8. 2 Corinthians 11:13–15
    “Such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ… Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.”
    (Highlights the reality of deception dressed as truth, matching AI’s imitation dangers.)

  9. Revelation 13:14
    “Because of the signs it was given power to perform on behalf of the first beast, it deceived the inhabitants of the earth.”
    (Prophetic warning about powerful deception, echoing AI’s global manipulative potential.)

  10. Colossians 2:8
    “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.”
    (A caution against being led astray by worldly or artificial teachings.)

Next Lesson

Subscribe for updates

MATTEH MOSHE is a 501c3 tax exempt organization IRS charity ID: 99-2029009

Why Non-Profit?

Home

About

Prayers/Donate

Partner

All Rights Reserved

Contact

Privacy Policy