by Maureen Miller
Let me start by saying…
I’m the first to ask the Lord to refine my convictions. “Am I lazy?” I’ve inquired. Afraid of unfamiliar territory? Insecure about learning something new?
It’s not like that’s never been the case, but this? It’s different. Not laziness. Not fear. Maybe there’s someone who needs to hear it, to know they’re not alone.
After all, there are varied opinions. I’ve sat under the teaching of wise writers much more experienced than me, listening to what they encourage. Still, I leave questioning, “Why isn’t it okay for me, God?”
And I know. If one uses a smart phone or a computer, she’s already implementing artificial intelligence. My convictions aren’t about extremes but, rather, boundaries. They’re personal perimeters set in place, though perhaps contrary to what we’re told—that AI:
- Makes writing easier.
- Optimizes time.
- Offers a broader scope of creative possibility.
For Christian creatives, however, there’s something available far greater than artificial intelligence. For me, having not yet received the go-ahead to implement all the opportunities it affords, there’s nothing I’d rather rely on more than the Almighty’s Influence.
Writing isn’t easy.
Much of the writing life is difficult. But it’s often the hard that produces the best story. It’s what inspires us.
Should we search for ways to make writing easier, less complicated? Personally, my mind seems to never shut down, looking at real life through the lens of a storyteller—This experience, though painful, can be woven into my tale. Or, Though I didn’t expect to find myself here, this situation is perfect to incite suspense.
I can’t count the times I’ve experienced something in my life—often through difficulty and pain—then written a portion of it into my plot. Perhaps, in our writing, we should put into practice this very truth—beauty is birthed, not from ease, but from hard labor.
Thus, apart from research—Siri, what did hotdogs cost in 1969?—let’s consider seeking the Almighty’s Influence in our work, utilizing all the experiences He allows—no matter how difficult—to pen stories pointing readers to Him.
Our times are in His hands.
It was 2007 when I first heard God’s whisper concerning a story He was calling me to write. Gideon’s Book wasn’t published until May 2025, two years shy of twenty from that initial nudge.
There were plenty of moments I questioned God’s timing, especially when, after hitting send on my first draft, He said, “You need to start over?”
What?
Still, God continued to remind me. The story He’d birthed in my heart would be released in the world for such a time (Esther 4:14).
Yes, I could trust Him.
With all our writing, let’s commit to pray, trusting God’s timing for each word. Rather than utilizing artificial intelligence to generate, for example, settings and character sketches—feeling self-imposed pressure to produce more in less time—seek the Almighty’s Influence. We can rest knowing He’ll birth our stories in His time.
God’s creativity is instilled in us.
Indeed, it’s all we need to fulfill the work He’s called us to accomplish. While artificial intelligence certainly provides a broad scope of possibility with regard to plot points and story arch, might we consider tapping instead into the creativity instilled in us?
Perhaps relying on artificial intelligence beyond basic research weakens our creative, God-given flow—diminishing it rather than strengthening. More, while artificial intelligence might mimic our unique “voice,” it seems an anemic substitute for the beauty of the Almighty’s Influence spilling from us.
Fellow fiction writers—
As we sit down to create, rather than seeking direction from that which is artificial, may we desire God’s influence. Then, with this prayer on our lips, our writing becomes our worship—
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17 ESV)!
Maureen Miller is an author and speaker who loves encouraging others in their journey with Jesus. Married to her childhood sweetheart Bill, she lives on Selah Farm in the mountains of North Carolina. She blogs at Windows and Wallflowers (maureenmillerauthor.com), and her debut novel, Gideon’s Book, is now available.
Comments 11
Maureen,
Thanks for taking the time to address this issue. No one will ever accuse you of avoiding the elephant in the room.
I struggle every day with where we, as Christians, should stand on A.I. We know it cannot take the place of the Holy Spirit in directing our lives. If that is true, shouldn’t we allow His Spirit within us to direct our story?
Considering my grammar is about the level of a third grader, I have found A.I. helpful in first-round editing. It has a unique ability to take four words and reduce them to one. It also tends to take away my voice and add commas. We rarely agree on theology, and it can be opinionated. And like taking a cookie from the jar when no one is watching, I will admit I have used it to verify whether certain scenes are plausible.
In the end, each of us must search our own heart to find that balance.
I’ll leave you with this:
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;
and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5–6
Thanks again for sharing.
Thank you so much, Donald. I appreciate your thoughts and I love the verse. One of my favorites! So applicable for us as writers, as well as for anyone who desires to walk in the ways of the Lord. These are difficult days, and discernment is necessary. I simply share where the Lord has me. I pray it blesses, encourages, and perhaps exhorts readers / writers where they are and those who were meant to read it will.
Thank you, Maureen, for this much-needed and very relevant post. I, too, have been concerned with the increasing reliance upon AI among Christian writers for the inspiration we should be seeking only from the Holy Spirit.
In my opinion, AI used as a source of inspiration and creativity is a subtle trap, a form of demonic deception that can lead to idolatry. Whenever we look to anything other than God as the Source and the End of our inspiration and creativity, we are treading on dangerous ground.
When the disciples asked Jesus what would be the signs of the last days, the first thing Jesus said was, “Do not be deceived.” Are we being deceived by AI? Let us seriously consider this question before we look to AI as the answer to all of our writing needs.
Blessings to you!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and concerns. I pray those who read will be encouraged / exhorted by this post, asking the Lord to use my convictions to both guide and bring comfort. Blessings.
Hi, Maureen,
Well, you addressed the topic of the year. What fun! Thank you for doing it. I so agree that we must use the tools at our disposal judiciously–which means prayerfully.
Donald or anyone else: please don’t let anything take away your voice. It’s been given to you by God to help your work impact particular people. As for you and AI disagreeing on theological subjects, can we expect anything else from a computer?
We already know that the internet is not the final word. Don’t believe me? Check out what wikipedia says about the book of Daniel.
As for AI, it showed up on a google search I made on turning in coins to a bank. AI said emphatically, “Don’t roll the coins. The banks have machines. They will give you the total.” So I happily went to my bank with my bags of coins. Guess what the bank’s receptionist said! So I went home and rolled the coins. (To be fair, some banks probably do have machines.)
On the positive side, I have self-published my novels and I recently used an AI-type program for one cover and to update another. I am very pleased with what we, my daughter who is a publicist and I came up with. We used Canva as a tool–a starting point.
Thank you for this, Nancy. Judiciously, yes! And there is nothing like our unique, God-giving voice! Anything less truly is anemic!
Congratulations on your self-published work. How wonderful to have a daughter who is so helpful!
Many blessings and thank you again.
Thank you Maureen – For years Proverbs 16:3 NKJV was my continual faithful scripture prayer before I taught to the hearts of the Littles. It never failed me. ♥️ “Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.”
Thank you for reminding me again. 🙏
What a beautiful passage. Yes, that is exactly the influence that we desire, isn’t it? The God would direct our work! Oh may it be true! 💗
I echo your sentiments. So many of my literary friends say that without AI, they simply could not function or be writers. Outside of using Word or Grammarly for spell-checking and grammar fixing capabilities, I avoid AI like the plague. God gifted me with an overactive imagination. I think I have a dozen novels flowing through my mind. I’ve had to restrain myself to finish the first ones, first, lol. I pitch my research questions to YouTube and online web searches, and comb through a variety of videos, articles, and websites, and crack open old-fashioned books to find answers. AI programs sorely lack true historical research.
Again, these are my personal parameters, and I don’t pass judgment, but I am grateful to know I am not alone in my feelings and concerns. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for not just a twist of an acronym, but a perspective that separates the marginal tool we might use to help with research from the creative influence that matters: His call.