God gave me this blog post.
By invoking divine inspiration, I have guaranteed that you will read this post and possibly give me money to read more.
Sound like a stretch? Then what if I just wrote or said:
“God spoke to me.”
“I was led to write this.”
“God revealed this to me.”
“I have been called to write this.”
“I believe this is an inspired post.”
In the Christian publishing industry, editors, publishers, and literary agents hear these phrases all time. (And I suspect they are heard in the aisles and parking lots of churches every week.) I’ve heard them on the phone, in person, and in writing … in varying degrees. Everything from “If you don’t accept this book idea you are not a Christian because God gave it to me” to “The Lord has laid this on my heart.” Obviously, the first is outrageous; but what is wrong with the other one?
Often a writer will approach me at a writers conference, lean in, and say in whispered tones, “I know I’m not supposed to say this, but I truly believe that God gave me this story.” I know what they mean. They are trying to express their passion for their work and their sincere belief that it is life changing. I do not doubt their earnestness or their truthfulness. But it can be a problematic thing to say, especially when prefaced with “I know I’m not supposed to say this.”
Granted, some of this comes out of an author’s nervousness when pitching to an agent or editor. Many told me later they didn’t remember a single thing they said during those few minutes. But still, it is important to guard your tongue.
The Bible is very clear that God speaks to us via His Spirit, sometimes through other people in writing, speaking, singing, or actions. We are admonished, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies” (1 Thessalonians 5: 19-20). But note in the next verse (v. 21) the apostle Paul wrote, “Test everything.” The apostle John wrote further, “Test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1).
But to invoke divine inspiration in a pitch session with an editor or agent can be seen as an attempt to force acceptance. In other words, if I say no to the project, then I’m guilty of impeding the work of God Himself.
I have had authors tell me, point-blank, that God told them I should be their agent. Bold? How do you think that sounds from my perspective?
Therefore, the next time, before casually or intentionally using this type of language:
- Consider your motive. What is being accomplished by invoking divine inspiration? A legitimacy that was somehow missing before the statement crossed the lips? An expression of passion and sincerity? Is the phrase being used as manipulation?
- Consider your audience. The publishing professional being addressed has already made the assumption that God is inspiring a lot of people a lot of the time. That is intrinsic to the artistic process. We assume that you are passionate about your work or that you feel it is inspired in some way; otherwise you would not be showing it to anyone. An honest, sincere, devout person may have been inspired to write something. That is normal.
(By the way, I’ve yet to have someone invoke the alternate form of inspiration (“the devil gave this to me”)!)
A few of the more sarcastic among us may be tempted to respond, “God told you but forgot to tell me” or “Really? God did that? Please sign this dotted line so we can get busy with publishing it!” You see how silly and mocking this can get?
- Consider your source. Annie Dillard wrote, “Does anyone have the foggiest idea what sort of power we so blithely invoke? Or, as I suspect, does no one believe a word of it?” (Teaching a Stone to Talk, page 40). Are you really speaking for God? Are your words supplanting God’s? Or adding to them? That is a danger of invoking God’s name in order to validate one’s material. “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God … so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11). And, “On the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak” (Matthew 12:36).
So before anyone takes offense, I’m not trying to “quench the Spirit.” Instead, I’m encouraging a bit of caution when talking this way among publishing professionals.
Would you be surprised to know that I heard this in 1992 at the very first writers conference I attended as an editor? I was a newbie faculty member. I’d been in the industry as a bookseller, but had never been at this type of conference or knew what a one-on-one pitch session was all about. That first day, a person sat across from me and with glistening eyes and a shaking voice declared, “God gave me this.” It didn’t feel right back then either.
Fun Fridays – September 24, 2021
God led me to write this,
I swear it to be true,
but, you see, the thing is
I won’t tell that to you.
Not because you don’t believe
nor because I think you’ll laugh;
’twas revelation I received,
but I can’t sign autographs
based upon a private word
‘twixt me and the Lord On High;
I won’t face His flaming sword,
but it’s almost worse to hear Him sigh
and see Him shake His mighty head,
His trust in my discretion dead.
I agree, Andrew, but I can’t put it to poetry. I know when and where God revealed the basic outline of a book. At that private moment, He didn’t reveal the years of work needed to refine my skills and learn the process. At first, it was for an audience of two: God and me. The spiritual truths I learn as I write make it worth the effort. I’ve shared bits of this hard-earned wisdom in Bible classes, in private conversations and other unplanned moments. Over time, more people have seen the whole thing. Will it be published? God knows, while I take things one step at a time.
Thank you. I can emphasize m passion for helping atheists in their struggle for faith in Jesus.
Such a wonderful post! I’m booking marking it to share when I’m trying to explain to writers how to pitch!
My response to this type of claim: “I don’t blame God for giving this to you. I wouldn’t want it either.” I really have told people that. Yes, it’s a shock factor, but it throws the door wide open to the reality that inspiration, valid as it might be, needs a lot of work to be well-received by the audience.
Excellent article!
Thank you for unpacking this and giving us a broader perspective.
Is it alright to say one feels God has gifted them in this area? Or is that too close to the inspiration argument?
I sent my proposal in, but I did end up saying something along the lines of “I feel the Father has gifted me in this area.”
I certainly don’t claim inspiration, so if that’s too close to that notion is it possible to rescind the first proposal and try again?
In my experience as a freelance editor and writer, I’ve had writers tell me that because God gave them this manuscript, I should be willing–nay, eager!–to provide editing services for free. I simply decline, although occasionally, the wannabe author responds less-than-graciously.
As you say, it’s wise not to speak it, and it should NEVER be used to manipulate anyone. But as many Christian writers know, while an entire book isn’t totally inspired (except, of course, the Bible), there will be sections that we know we didn’t create ourselves. But it’s good you are forewarning folks that we should never let an agent know that we knew where in the book that had happened or even that it happened at all.
But…as you read a manuscript , can you tell where it did?
Thank you for the post. Blessings!
My novel started as a nightmare! I firmly believe God guided me as I wrote it, but I’m uncomfortable with that word “inspired.” It nudges my fallible work too close to scripture for comfort. I also don’t feel right saying something was God-inspired because I’m painfully aware of how much I have to learn as an author. I’m proud of my stories, but I have such a long way to go to be the writer God wants me to be. Maybe I’ll get there in the New Earth!
Thank you! It’s irritating to read blog posts (or anything else) invoking divine inspiration. I understand what they’re intending to say, but ironically it robs the message of its potential power. It also appears arrogant as though the rest of us never hear from Him. If the message is well written, all the work expended to make it so speaks for itself. (And if it’s not, then we save ourselves from the embarrassing experience of “making God look bad.”)
The simple truth is that if God really did inspire a book, He’ll also bring it to pass without our saying anything to an agent or a publisher. God completes what He begins.
Do you imply that God doesn’t dictate your blog posts?
Thank you Janet…your sense of ironic humor brought a smile to my face.
This is such an important reminder. God is certainly at work in both mighty and simple ways everyday. I am constantly delighted to see His work in ways I don’t expect and so honored when I am struggling with the writing and He allows my poor mind to work better or sets me in a church service with something relevant to my writing. That being said, God’s work in our lives blesses us and those around us and should never be used to manipulate or control. God Himself woos us into His flock, how dare we presume to manipulate of pressure!
Thank you Steve. We all pray for God’s inspiration, but how it manifests itself in our work is never clear. Personally I pray that my words will cause others to seek God. Then I try to stay out of the way and let the Holy Spirit do His thing.
Enjoy all your blogs, but this one has an especially good hook.
Thanks for your posting, Steve. I believe that God has talked to me several times in my life, but those times were when He called me to serve Him, not write a book. Food for thought.
well said! As a writer I believe we can be inspired to write all kinds of things. But I don’t think it’s wise or professional to declare that God gave it to us to manipulate others.
For some that statement may not be manipulative. It may just express that the person is being obedient to the Lord to write regardless of the outcome.
I have one story that I believe came directly from God. I would never say that at a pitch, of course. And even though I did the research and revisions, I feel like I took dictation. It hasn’t been picked up yet – came close a couple of times – but the feedback I got was encouraging. Especially as I know editors are super busy and don’t normally give you hand written notes.
It’s the story of my heart. The one I want most to lay at Jesus’s feet. And someday, it will be published. 🙂