32 | Should Christian Writers Use AI? A Biblical Framework for Making the Right Choice

Can a Christian Writer Use AI? Navigating the Moral Maze with Discernment and Faith

Everywhere you look, there's another heated debate about AI and writing. One author brags about writing a book in three days with ChatGPT, while another declares it's evil and Christians should avoid it at all costs.

Maybe you're sitting on the fence too, wondering: Is it okay to use AI in my writing? Is it a sin? Will it replace the Holy Spirit in my creative process?

The conflicting voices are getting louder, AI is advancing at lightning speed, and you're stuck battling guilt and confusion about your calling as a Christian writer.

What if there was a biblical way to think through this decision that honors both your faith and your craft?

In this episode, discover my proven 3-Filter Framework (Faith, Fruit, and Faithfulness) that helps you discern whether AI tools align with your calling as a Kingdom 

Transcript

I've been trying my hardest to steer clear of the topic of AI novel writing on my show, but it's becoming impossible to avoid the conversations on this controversial issue.

Because everywhere I look lately there's another post about using AI to write books.

Someone's bragging about how they wrote an entire book in three days using ChatGPT, while another author is declaring that real writers would never touch artificial intelligence.

Another one comments that it's evil and Christians should avoid it at all cost.

And somewhere in between I'm sitting on the fence with it all, wondering which side to pick.

Maybe you're on the fence too.

Maybe you've experimented with AI tools and feel a little guilty about it.

Or maybe you've avoided them completely but worry you're falling behind.

Either way, you're probably asking yourself the same hard questions I have.

What does this AI thing mean for Christian writers? Is it okay to use AI in my writing? Is it a sin?

Am I replacing the Holy Spirit in my creative process?

Will my readers even trust my work? And honestly, is it even biblical?

So friend, as always, I've taken it to the Lord in prayer. And in today's episode I'm going to tell you what the Holy Spirit has revealed to me about this.

Because I can tell you that you are definitely not the only Christian writer wrestling with this AI thing.

Some are excited about the possibilities,

others feel deeply uncomfortable, and many are simply unsure where they should stand as followers of Christ.

So as AI continues to grow at the speed of light,

I thought I'd share my personal take on it. But here's what I'm not going to do today. I'm not going to tell you whether AI is right or wrong for you.

That's between you and God.

What I'm here to do is help you think biblically about it and give you a framework to prayerfully decide what aligns with your calling as a Christian authority.

Because here's the truth.

Avoiding technology doesn't make you more righteous,

and embracing it without discernment doesn't make you more productive.

What matters is the heart behind how we use it and whether we are inviting God into the process.

So grab your coffee, maybe pull out that journal I'm always telling you to keep, and let's dive into this together.

We're going to navigate this with wisdom and not fear or worry.

This is episode 32.

I'm Urcelia Teixeira, ex real estate agent turned award winning Christian fiction author.

When I wrote my first novel on a bucket list whim, I had no idea. It would spark a spiritual journey that would redefine my calling.

But you know what, friend? Self publishing wasn't easy. I got caught in the hustle, chasing rankings and sales while desperately trying to stay rooted in Christ.

Now, by God's grace, I'm building my author business his way. And now he's called me to help you do the same.

Welcome to the Anointed Scribe podcast, where faith meets business for Christian writers. Let's write, publish, and grow our author business God's way. Are you ready? Well, then, let's get started.

Hey, it's your author friend, Urcelia. And thank you for joining me for this week's Anointed Scribe episode, which I know might either bring you peace and joy in your writing life or make you fall on your knees.

Either way, I'm praying that our conversation today actually draws you deeper into the heart of God and that it brings you revelation and freedom in your call to write for the kingdom.

So if you are new here, welcome to the Anointed Scribe tribe. This is the podcast where we explore what it means to be a writer who puts God first in their author journey, and how to build and grow a thriving author business that's rooted in biblical principles.

Okay, so we're just going to get straight into our topic today, but just to preface this episode,

I'm not a theologian and I'm not an expert on AI, but what I am is a writer, just like you. And so what I'm sharing here today is what my conversations with God revealed to me.

I'd encourage you to take whatever I'm sharing here today to the Lord yourself and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what he wants to tell you about using AI in your business.

Because your journey is different from. From mine, right?

Don't copy me, copy Jesus.

Okay, so why does it matter if we are using AI to write our books or not?

The writing world is changing fast. And as Christian authors, we are called not to be led by trends, but by the truth. Right?

But here's what I have noticed in our author community.

Some of us are jumping head first into AI tools without really thinking through the implications.

Others are rejecting them completely out of fear or principle. And honestly, I think we're missing the real conversation we should be having.

See, AI isn't the real issue here. In my opinion,

the heart behind how we use it is.

Think about it this way.

Your computer has spell check, grammar check, even predictive text.

Your phone suggests words as you type.

Amazon gives you book recommendations based on algorithms.

We've been using artificial intelligence in small ways for years without even knowing it or thinking twice about it.

So the question isn't really,

is AI evil?

The question is, how do I steward these tools in a way that honors God and serves my readers well?

Romans 12:2 tells us, do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is.

His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Notice that Paul doesn't say avoid everything the world creates.

He says test it.

Approve what aligns with God's will.

Use wisdom and discernment.

So here's a thought.

What if the goal isn't to take a side in some artificial intelligence debate, but to invite God into the middle of it?

What if we approached AI the same way we approached any other tool,

with prayer, wisdom, and clear boundaries?

Now, I know this AI world is scary in many ways, but if God is for us,

who or what can be against us, right?

So why let fear drive your decision?

If we know that God is always in control no matter what,

why then are we so fearful about using artificial intelligence as a writer?

So let's tackle a few fears or questions one by one and name what you might be feeling right now. Because I know some of you are really wrestling with this.

Shout out to Tracy, by the way, for requesting this topic. And just as a side note, if you have a question about self publishing as a Christian writer or anything in the process,

let me know in the comments. If you're on YouTube or Spotify or if you're on Apple podcast, there's a link in the description of this episode to send me a message.

I will use questions to make future episodes of the Anointed Scribe podcast.

Okay, so let's look at the first questions from first question you might be asking yourself if you are trying to figure out if it's okay for Christian writers to use AI.

If I use AI,

am I replacing the Holy Spirit in my creative process? Will it replace how I write in the Spirit?

Now I hear this one a lot and friend, I get it.

We know that God is the source of our creativity. I teach and encourage it here on the show all the time.

Psalm 139 tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Our stories, our messages, our unique voices. They come from God, right?

But here's what I want you to consider as you pray over this does using a grammar checker replace the Holy Spirit?

Does researching your book on Google replace the Holy Spirit?

Does using a thesaurus when you are stuck for the right word,

replace the Holy Spirit.

I don't know about you, but if I'm stuck on a word and I go to thesaurus.com to search for a word that best describes a character's feelings or whatever,

I include God in that process.

I'll shoot off a silent prayer asking God to help me find the right word.

And I do the same when I check my grammar using Prowritingaid.

See, the Holy Spirit doesn't just inspire our words.

He guides our every decision,

our research,

our editing process, and yes,

even our choice of tools.

But only if you let him.

Only if you invite him in.

If you've surrendered your author business to God and gave him control and trust and believe that he is in control no matter what,

perhaps the issue is then more about letting go.

Because here's the brutal truth, friend.

Pretty much all our writing software and tools now have AI built into them.

So whether you've noticed it or not, you're already using AI in your writing business.

Now, another concern I hear frequently is what comes up in this Question number two Will readers still trust my work if they know I used AI?

This fear is really about authenticity, isn't it? And that's a good thing to wrestle with.

Your readers do want authenticity. They want your voice,

your heart, your unique perspective.

But here's the thing. Authenticity isn't about the tools you use. It's about the truth you're telling and the heart behind it.

If you use AI to help you organize your thoughts but the message is still genuinely yours, that's authentic.

If you use AI to generate everything and slap your name on it,

that's a different story.

The trick here is to make sure you drive the tool. It's a machine that works on prompts, nothing else,

much like a calculator or a gps.

It's only going to give you what you tell it to do, right?

You are still needing to input your prompts into it. You still need to tell it what to do and what not to do.

Feed it with your thoughts,

your insights, your words, and it will remain authentically yours.

Copy and paste someone else's work into it, and it will not be authentic to you. In fact, that's stealing. So do not do that.

But you get the point, right?

Question number three is this. If I don't use it, will I fall behind?

Ooh, the good old fomo. There's a reason why they call it fomo. Fear of Missing Out. So listen, my take on this is that this is Fear talking, not faith.

Yes, AI is taking over the world. Yes, it's everywhere and everyone is going on about it. And here's the thing also.

The world has convinced us that we need to be first,

fastest, and everywhere at once.

But that's not what God calls us to. He calls us to faithfulness, to showing up,

to being available for him to use us in his timing.

There will always be new tools, new platforms, new strategies.

Your job isn't to chase every trend.

Your job is to steward the calling God has given you with the excellence and integrity you have.

Don't worry about what others are doing. Don't worry about their progress or success.

Stay in your lane. Keep your eyes on your mission and your calling.

Keep letting God direct your paths. Because here's the truth that is sometimes really hard for us to remember, me included.

You are exactly where God needs you to be right now.

The fourth question, and this is one I've been hearing a lot lately. And it's this.

Everyone's telling me it's the future, but I'm not convinced.

You know what, friend? You don't have to be.

And you know why?

Because the future belongs to God, not to technology.

Your success as a writer depends on your obedience to his calling, not your adoption of the latest tool.

1 Corinthians 3, 22, 23 tells us that believers in Christ have access to all things because they belong to Christ, who in turn belongs to God.

God is the alpha and the Omega and the beginning and the end.

Your future is in his hands and his hands alone,

friend. All of these fears really boil down to one thing.

Trust.

Are we trusting God to guide our writing decisions?

Or are we letting fear of missing out or messing up make our choices for us?

We shouldn't approach AI with fear, but rather with discernment faith and a focus on how God can use it to for his glory.

Okay, so now that we've addressed this common fears, let me give you a practical way to work through these decisions.

Rather than offering you black and white answers, I want to give you a way to think about AI that's rooted in scripture.

Essentially, these are filters you can apply to help you discern your way through using AI in your business.

I call it the three filter framework. Faith, fruit,

and faithfulness.

So let's look at the first one, Faith.

You need to ask yourself this question. Does this tool increase or replace my dependence on God?

This is your first and most important filter, friend.

Are you turning to AI before you pray?

When you sit down to write,

are you opening ChatGPT first or your Bible?

Are you asking the algorithm for ideas before you ask the Holy Spirit?

Proverbs 3, 5, 6 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

In all your ways, submit to him and he will make your paths straight.

Notice it says in all your ways. That includes your writing process.

AI can be a tool that enhances your God given creativity, but it should never replace your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

If you find yourself depending on AI for direction instead of God,

that's a red flag.

Here's how I think about it in my own writing. I might use AI to help me brainstorm book titles or organize my research,

but I always start my writing sessions with prayer. I ask God what He wants to say through me. Today I submit my plans to him first.

Using AI is not a sin, friend. But if it becomes your creative compass instead of God's spirit, it's time to take a step back and recalibrate.

Your second filter is fruit.

Does the output reflect the values of Christ?

This one's huge, especially for us as Christian writers. We're not just creating content, we're stewarding a message, right?

Philippians 4, 8 tells us. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true,

whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, admirable.

If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.

So when you use AI tools, ask yourself, is the output true? Is it noble? Is it building people up or just filling space?

AI can help you write faster, but it can also make your writing feel hollow and disconnected. I've seen authors pump out content using AI that technically checks all the boxes but lacks heart, lacks authenticity, emotion, soul.

It lacks the very thing that makes their writing worth reading.

Your voice matters, friend.

Your unique perspective, your personal experiences,

your relationship with God. These things can't be replicated by an algorithm.

AI might help you organize your thoughts or polish your prose,

but it can't replace the depth that comes from your own spiritual journey.

If the final message of your book feels mechanical, if it doesn't sound like something you'd say in a conversation,

if it lacks the passion and the purpose that God put in your heart,

that's not bearing good fruit, friend.

Our final filter is faithfulness. Ask yourself, am I stewarding this tool with integrity?

This is where we get practical about our responsibility as Christian writers. Luke 16:10 says, Whoever is faithful with little will be faithful with much.

How you handle AI tools reveals something about your character and your stewardship.

Are you using AI to enhance your ministry or to shortcut your obedience.

There's a difference between delegating tasks and detaching from your creative responsibility.

So here are some questions to ask yourself. Am I being honest with my readers about how I create my content?

You don't need to list every tool you use. But if AI played a significant role in creating something,

I think your readers deserve to know.

Am I still growing as a writer or am I becoming lazy? If AI is doing all the heavy lifting and you're not developing your craft, you're not. You're not growing in the skills God gave you to steward.

Right?

Another thing you should ask yourself is, am I using this tool to serve my readers better or just to produce more content?

Volume isn't the goal, friend impact is.

AI can save you time. But are you reinvesting that time in prayer in connection with your readers growing spiritually? Or are you just using it to churn out more content faster?

Okay, so if you still confused or stuck on how you could use AI as an author, or if it's right or wrong, let me give you some real life examples and practical applications.

Let me paint some pictures for you on what using these three filters might look like in real life. Because I know you're probably thinking, okay, Urcelia, this all sounds great in theory, but what does it actually mean?

How do I even apply this?

So let me give you an example.

Sarah is a Christian author who writes marriage books. She uses AI to help her organize her research and generate potential chapter outlines.

But she always rewrites everything in her own voice, adds her personal stories, and prays over each chapter before she considers it complete.

She's transparent with her readers about her process and focuses on providing genuine value.

What does that sound like to you? That sounds like faithful stewardship to me. Right?

Let's give you another example. Mike writes Christian fiction. He uses AI to help him brainstorm character names and research historical details for his novels.

But the plot, the dialogue, the spiritual themes, all of that comes from his own heart and his own relationship with God.

He starts every writing session with prayer and asks the Holy Spirit to guide his creativity.

What does it sound like?

Is Mike using AI correctly again?

Yes. That feels like wisdom to me.

Third and final example. Jennifer feels called to preserve her pure creative flow.

She avoids AI completely because she believes God wants her to develop her craft through struggle and growth.

She finds joy in the challenge of working through writer's block with just her Bible, her journal, and a prayer.

That's perfect too, isn't it? That's beautiful.

So here's the key.

Discernment will look different for each of us.

What matters most is that we invite God into the process and stay submitted to his leading.

Maybe for you, using AI feels like a distraction from God's voice. Honour that.

Maybe for someone else it feels like a gift that helps them serve their readers better.

That's okay too.

The goal isn't conformity. The goal is obedience to how God is leading you.

So as we wrap up,

can an anointed writer use AI?

My answer is yes if you've asked the right questions first.

Yes if your faith, your fruit and your faithfulness are intact,

and yes if your motives are spirit led, not algorithm fed.

But I also want to encourage you with this don't compare yourself to other writers. Don't cave to pressure from the industry or from other authors.

Don't reject tools out of fear. But test everything. Hold fast to what is good and let go of what doesn't. Align with your mission.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 says exactly that. Test everything. Hold fast to what is good.

Your calling as a writer isn't threatened by technology, friend.

Your unique voice, your personal relationship with God,

your individual experiences and insights.

These things can't be replaced by any tool.

What I want you to remember today is what you hear me say all the time.

God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called.

If he's called you to write, he'll provide everything you need to fulfill that calling.

Sometimes that might include new tools and technologies.

Sometimes it might mean stick sticking with pen and paper.

Use discernment. Pray about it. The point is to stay close to him, to keep your heart soft to his leading and to remember that your worth as a writer isn't determined by the tools you use or don't use.

It's determined by your faithfulness to the one who called you friend. Before I let you go, I want you to use the Send me a message link in the show notes and let me know where you need God to show up for you today so I can pray for you.

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So I encourage you to use this feature to send me a private message to let me know what you are struggling with right now so we can come together and take this to the Lord in prayer.

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The link is in the show notes. Okay, so that's it for today's show.

Thank you for listening. And remember, for such a time as this,

you have been called to thrive as God's anointed scribe.