The responsibility of the Christian writer

Recently I read an article on the topic of cleanliness in Christian fiction; of how most Christian stories were expected to be clear of things deemed unsuitable by Scripture. It talked about the controversy of what the word "clean" really means and how its definition varies depending on the personal opinion. Most would assume this to mean the absence of things such as swearing, taking the Lord's name in vain, inappropriate scenes, etc... This particular article stated that the writer felt it their responsibility to depict these things in their works simply to make their writing more realistic. The writer felt that this was fine for even Christian authors so long as these things were described "appropriately".

This kinda got to me...

Is it truly acceptable for Christians, who, according to the Bible, are not of the world (John 15:19), to adapt to worldly ways even more so than we already have? Is it acceptable to intentionally bring bad language and lust into our lives and to then expose other believers to these things? Even if such writing can be done "appropriately" are we not still walking as close to the line as we can?

I understand the desire and even the need to make your writing realistic; to want its readers to be able to relate to the characters' lives, but what does the Bible say about uplifting our brothers and sisters in Christ?

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as

fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29"

What if, in our efforts to make our writing realistic, we expose another believer to inappropriate actions that God has urged us to avoid? Not only have we exposed ourselves to these wrongs (which is bad enough) but also another - perhaps weaker - Christ follower and in doing so exposed them to ungodly acts when the Lord tells us to encourage one another. In 1st Corinthians 8 it says: "But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak." and then " Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ."

In 1st Thessalonians it says: "Abstain from every form of evil." I don't believe that things such as swearing and fornication can be described appropriately and when describing them we are most definitely not abstaining from every form of evil. Are we taking physical part in it? No. Are we spreading its filth throughout our own minds and the minds of other believers? Yes! When I publish a book it is printed with my name on the front to bear forever. If the genre says "Christian" but the pages say "world" then what does that say about me? Does that give the impression that my faith is only outward and not truly heart-ward? I think it does. Writing a fictional story involves the creativity of the writer's mind and often displays what is truly in the heart of author. When I write inappropriately it is not the same if I were to accidentally leave a typo or form a bad sentence structure. It is intentional. It is created with the direct intention to convey impropriety. As a child, my parents would have called it direct disobedience and it got you a spanking every time.

In the same way that Christ tells us not to be a stumbling block to fellow Christians, we, more than any other, can turn nonbelievers away from the Truth for good. The Bible says that we are witnesses to others of Christ's love for us. If I proclaim to be His follower and then intentionally put profanity into my writing then I am showing no change, no proof of the Lord Jesus' presence in my heart. I am only showing the old man, my natural inclination to sin that is forever hanging over me, determined to make me stumble. My book may have a great point, my book may be about how the character was brought out of sin (as I was) by the saving power of our Lord, but none of that matters when it is riddled with the very things that we claim to have been saved from.

The article I mentioned said something to the fact that a few swear words are to be expected and should not be completely ruled out by Christian readers. This, to me, is ridiculous. We are so overcome by worldliness everyday and yet we still consider acceptable things that Scripture clearly says are not? What? Galatians 5:7-9 says:

" You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump."

In other words, one profanity will ruin the cleanliness of the entire book and the way the reader looks at me, the author, as a Christian because I would intentionally allow my work to be seen carrying that which is unacceptable to God.

As a writer of Christian fiction I believe it is my responsibility to keep my work clean; for my own sake, for the sake of my brothers and sisters in Christ, and for the sake of those yet to know Him who might come across one of my books one day. And, putting all that aside, God said to stay away from it, that in its self should be reason enough. Having said this, I still have that old nature, I was still born desiring not the things of God but the things of the world. If I am to keep my writing the way that the Lord desires it to be I must ask Him to enable me, and He will! The words we put out, whether they be spoken or written, reflect who we claim to be in Christ. I pray that He holds my tongue when I start to speak wrongly and that He keeps me far from the appearance of wrongdoing that in my writing I may never reflect badly on my Creator.

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14

Links/References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/

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