Sin is the Greatest Obstacle to Creativity

God is the ultimate source of creativity. We’re made in his image and therefore we create. We create from essentially a limitless supply of diverse and abundant raw material.

So, even from a young age, we create. And we make some great things! We push ourselves to our limits as artists.

Our art reflects who we are – what’s unimportant to us, what excites us. We might even take lessons, get a mentor, etc., all in the service of expressing ourselves.

So far, so good, right?

Then how does sin slow us down and set-up obstacles to our growth, limit our creativity?

Sin…

• clutters/occupies our thoughts, and saps our energy.
• makes us feel less than human, dehumanizes us.
• separates us from others, from ourselves, and God. (Cuts us off from the source of all creativity.)
• is focused on consuming, taking in, and revolving around self to the exclusion of pouring into others.

If this is true (that sin has a corrosive, destructive effect on us and our art), then how do we go deeper as artists? How do we remove the limits and go into a realm beyond imagination?

First: be honest with yourself. How is sin affecting you as an artist? There’s value in struggling with this question! Work at it, think about it, don’t gloss it over. 

Don’t fall into the trap of accepting how society glorifies sin in artists, even though our culture does this all day, every day. Culture is a powerful influence, especially on young artists who assume that if society believes it, it has to be true. No, it doesn’t. Instead, think deeply about how sin affects you personally. Square that first. 

If you’re not a believer, at least be honest with yourself about discovering things that could be holding you back. 

If you are a believer, confess your sin to God. He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

And then, GO FOR IT! Journey into striking originality. Give the world new ways of looking at things. Use the raw material God has given you and go as far as you possibly can.