On the 10^th June 2025, the following article appeared in the Australian version of the Daily Mail: “Barefoot Investor Scott Pape shares ‘most controversial’ warning in latest newsletter” (https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14795899/barefoot-investor-scott-pape.html).

The article written by Caitlin Powell for Daily Mail Australia reads as follows:

“Barefoot Investor Scott Pape has shared a disturbing A.I. generated message that he said might be ‘the most controversial thing’ he’s ever published…. Pape described how a friend working with the technology told him to ask ChatGPT: ‘If you were the devil, how would you destroy the next generation?’ ‘So I did. And here is what the A.I. answered, word for word, with zero editing from me.’ The A.I. laid out a 10-step plan for its method for the ‘slow systematic erosion’ of society with a warning about technology. ‘If I were the devil, and my goal was to quietly but effectively destroy the next generation – not through shock and awe, but through slow, systemic erosion – here’s how I’d do it,’ it wrote.”

In a brief summary, the following is how the A.I. said it would destroy the next Generation in 10 steps:

1. Through Social Media

“Example: A 14-year-old watches four hours of TikTok ‘productivity hacks’ and does nothing all day.”

2. Through fostering lovers of self

“Example: Kids want to be YouTubers when they grow up – not because they love storytelling, but because they crave adoration.”

3. Attacking the family structure and family traditions

“Example: A child feels closer to a Twitch streamer than to their dad.”

4. Removing mankind from nature and saturating their minds with the digital world

“Example: A 10-year-old can’t identify a magpie but knows every Pokémon.”

5. Nurturing mankind to become lovers of pleasure

“Example: A young man loses years to video games, vapes, and porn – not because he’s evil, but because he’s numb and alone.”

6. Mocking Faith, commitment and virtue

“Example: A teenager is more afraid of being ‘cringe’ than being cruel. Kill community, quietly.”

7. Fostering shallow human relationships and connections

“Example: Loneliness becomes a silent epidemic – but everyone has 2,000 ‘friends’”.

8. Enslaving mankind through debt and distraction

“Example: A 22-year-old racks up $30,000 in credit card and Afterpay debt to look successful on Instagram.”

9. Weakening mankind with poor diet and through inactivity

“Example: A child can’t sit still in class, not because they’re broken – but because they’re inflamed, malnourished, and sleep-deprived.”

10. Making mankind spiritually bankrupt

“Example: A 16-year-old says “I don’t care” about everything – because caring hurts and there’s no compass.”

“[Scott] Pape said it was the A.I.’s final thought which stopped him dead in his tracks. ‘If I were the devil, I wouldn’t come with horns and pitchforks. I’d come with a sleek app, a soothing voice, a personal algorithm – and I’d whisper this is freedom.’” 

On this vein of thought, notice what the Apostle Paul noted to the Corinthians when pointing out that Satan has servants that he works through and how Satan himself aims to present himself to man: “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Alarming isn’t it! A.I.’s 10 step plan to destroy the next generation is so close to Satan’s “play book” and recipe of destruction in the end time that it should make the hairs on our head stand up! However, at the same time, such an article provides a helpful and insightful read because it’s when we best know our Adversary that we can better avoid his tactics, traps, and pitfalls that he intends for mankind to fall into. We must therefore positively “resist” against the 10-step plan of destruction and instead look to do the following constructive steps in our life (read the scriptures in your bible for each step listed too):

1. Be cautious and control your use of Social Media

Read Mr Gerald Weston’s article on this topic titled, “Tame the Social Media Monster” that appeared in the March-April 2018 edition of the Tomorrow’s World magazine.

Colossians 4:5-6, Romans 1:20-22, Ephesians 5:15-17

2. Foster Love for God and for others

Matthew 22:36-40, Matthew 20:25-28, Hebrews10:23-25

3. Support family structure and embrace family traditions

Ephesians 5:22, 6:1-2,4-5

4. Embrace true faith, commitment and virtue

Hebrews 3:12-14, 2 Peter 1:5-11, Jude 1:3

5. Be a wise financial steward and avoid distraction

1 Timothy 6:17-19

6. Eat a balanced diet and be active

1 Timothy 4:8, 3 John 1:2

7. Grow in spiritual richness

Proverbs 3:1-4, Luke 2:52, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

It almost goes without saying, but we are clearly living in very sobering and dangerous times. The world that we live in is Satan’s world and the A.I.’s answer with a 10-step plan to destroy humanity is cleverly being carried out. Notice that it was not through violence or nuclear cosmocide, but through technology and craftiness. We therefore need to be very circumspect with our use of the technology in this end time. Make no mistake about it; technology is an important aspect and useful tool in our lives, however Satan’s goal is to have it consume your lives.

While many live-in great fear in the end time due to a combination of scary developments in technology and world events, those who look to God can look up and “lift up their heads, because their redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). Indeed, “the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, And save them, Because they trust in Him” (Psalm 37:39-40). Do your part to walk wisely in life and remember to place your total trust in God to deliver you from all trials because He will!