Is Your Christian Writing Inspired? How to Know

by Lori Hatcher
It’s inspired because God prompts us to write it, and we respond in obedience.
It’s inspired because the ideas and concepts we share find their basis in the divine inspiration of God’s Word. 
But our writing is not inspired in the same way the Bible is inspired.
Paul wrote that God’s Word is “God-breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16). Theopneustos, the Greek word, describes how the authors of the Bible were swept along by a divine, controlling author. God directed every syllable, every word, every sentence, and every punctuation mark, as they appear in the original languages. The words God gave the human authors who penned the Bible were the very breath of God.
Peter confirmed this when he said, “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). 
Today, the canon of Scripture is complete (Revelation 22:18-19). Our words can affirm God’s Word, contain God’s Word, and explain God’s Word, but they are not the same thing as God’s divinely inspired Word. 
The Bible is perfect. Our words, well, not so much.
The next time an editor dares to take her red pen to your inspired words, remember that only God, through the human authors He divinely inspired, wrote a perfect manuscript. 
But with His help, we can write words that will inspire others to know Him and love Him more.
TWEETABLEIs Your Christian Writing Inspired? How to Know from author Lori Hatcher on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Lori Hatcher loves to inspire and equip others by sharing high-impact stories for spiritual transformation. A popular women’s ministry speaker and writing/speaking instructor, Lori writes for Our Daily Bread, Guideposts, Revive Our Hearts, and Crosswalk.com. Check out her latest devotional, A WORD FOR YOUR DAY: 66 DEVOTIONS TO REFRESH YOUR MIND, from Our Daily Bread Publishing. Connect with her at LORIHATCHER.COM or on FACEBOOK.