Ten Commandments for
Christian Writers
By Glenn White
If you’re a Christian writer then you have an extra measure of responsibility for writing words that align with God’s heart. Also, a greater standard of integrity and truthfulness is required of you by God and even your readers. Then there is growing standard of excellence in Christian publishing for all Christian writers. With all these expectations then how you begin to write so your words reflect the heart of God?
The Writer’s Commandments
A good place to start is the Ten Commandments. So here’s an adaptation of the Ten Commandments for writers. You may read the original version in Deut. 5: 7-21.
1. You shall not write any words that put
anyone or anything ahead of God.
It’s difficult in our celebrity-driven culture to avoid writing about personalities or celebrities without putting them on a pedestal like an object of worship. It can be done, however, when you write about the human side of a celebrity. Write about how this celebrated individual puts his pants on in the morning just like everyone else…one leg at a time. Keep in mind writing about the human side of anyone doesn’t mean you should write anything that belittles, demeans or humiliates anyone’s dignity as someone created in God’s image.
2.
You shall not worship the craft of
writing or any writer in word or deed. You shall not worship the work of
your hands.
When you’re a writer then the
writing craft and other writers can inadvertently become objects of worship. Worship means anything that captures
your undying devotion and
dedication. Writing and writers can become idols and objects of worship for any writer. And so can your own
writing. Be careful, guard your
heart and use your writing as an act of worship and not as a substitute for worship.
3. You shall not use the name of God to
promote your writing or for the sake of making any story “Christian”.
You can be a genuine Christian
and a great writer while never mentioning the name
of God in your writing. You see, taking God’s name in vain really means using God’s name to serve your own
purposes. You should never, never, never do that
in your writing or in your marketing efforts and honor God with your writing skills. At all costs, avoid camouflaging
your writing with God’s name for personal
gain.
4.
You shall rest from your writing one
day each week to worship and honor God.
You should not write every day!
Take a break, waltz awhile in God’s presence, sing
a song, spend some time with God’s people, enjoy a time of re-creation and do anything but write. Worship and
honor God just because He’s God.
5.
You shall always honor your parents in
your writing. When writing about your parents you shall recognize how they influenced your life but avoid revealing family secrets for the sake of a
story.
Many people may disagree with me about this commandment. However, there’s a biblical precedent set for not revealing your parent's sins. That precedent was set in the time of Noah. After the flood, Noah planted a vineyard and then he got drunk. While he was drunk he lay naked in his tent. Noah’s youngest son, Ham, saw him and called his two brothers, Shem and Japheth. But these two brothers backed up to the tent with a blanket and covered their father’s nakedness. When Noah awoke, he put a curse on Ham but blessed Shem and Japheth (Gen. 9:21-25). Remember, love covers a multitude of sins.
If you write about your mother or father please carefully consider what you write and how you write it. Don’t belittle your ability and your reputation as a writer to expose all the lurid details of your family’s dysfunction.
I like to think
about it this way. Tell-all family histories have already been done by many writers and probably written better than
I could ever write. So, why waste my time
and risk God’s displeasure? And why dishonor my mother and father? By the way, I come from a very
dysfunctional family and was raised in foster homes.
6. You shall not murder, slander or libel
anyone with your words.
Write stories that breathe life
and hope. If you must write a non-fiction piece about someone’s evil deeds write the truth (make sure it’s the
truth and not someone’s interpretation
of facts) and write to reveal God’s heart.
7.
You shall not write intimate,
passionate words of sexual desire to anyone but your spouse.
If you’re married you shouldn’t
write love letters to another person except your spouse. If you’re unmarried then only write letters that
express your love and admiration
for unseen qualities in the other person and avoid suggestive sexual comments. The Song of Solomon is
filled with metaphors that makes many people blush. Expressive passionate language is in the Bible but only acceptable within the perimeters of a husband-wife
relationship.
8.
You shall not rob, steal or “borrow”
word from other writers to claim them as your own.
God is creative and can give you
stories, illustrations and ideas beyond your wildest
imagination. So, why take someone else’s words when God is your best resource?
9.
You shall not write any lie against
anyone.
Always, write the truth in love.
That way, you won’t have to remember what you wrote
and you’ll feel better about writing it at the same time.
10.
You shall not desire any fame, fortune
or success belonging to any other writer.
Frank Peretti, Max Lucado, Jerry Jenkins, Brock and Bodie Thoene and the list goes on and on of wonderful Christian writers that have achieved reasonable success as writers. You can learn from them and grow as a writer but never lust after the results of their labor. God raises up great men and women as models for our personal growth and development. You can desire to achieve their skill level but you should never desire the results of their accomplishments. I look at it this way, God gave the increase for their labors and that’s not something that belongs to me. Therefore, I think every Christian writer should just work hard, write well and leave the results to God.
There you have my rendition of the Ten Commandments for Christian writers. Take a moment for personal inventory and see how you’re doing with this list. Then maybe take some time and write your own Ten Commandments. I believe when you follow the principles found in the Ten Commandments then you’ll write to inspire!
Copyright 2003 Glenn White