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So, I’ve seen some blog posts/topics dealing with this, but I could really use some insights into my specific questions.

There have been plenty of posts discussing how writing about something is obviously not the same as doing it; as Christians we need to be separate from the world, but our stories should be truthful and show humanity as it is. Even the Bible does that. But what if there’s always the temptation to go further than necessary? Aren’t we supposed to flee temptation? Does that mean no more writing stories?

I find myself having sinful thoughts in regards to some of my characters, or sometimes, just wild thoughts in general, even if what I’m writing about is innocuous. Sometimes, even the most innocent things can trigger disgusting thoughts. I have a tendency to be legalistic and to agonize over details. On the one hand, I am aware that this could just be the devil trying to rob me of all my freedom and leave me paralyzed (and that has happened before – it got so bad I was just standing in my house, too paralyzed to do anything because everything felt sinful).

But on the other hand, there’s Matthew 18:8-9, which sounds like I need to get rid of anything that causes me to sin. I do know this verse is not promoting dismembering ourselves, and that sin is a heart issue. But we need to take sin seriously and know that nothing is more important than Jesus, even our stories. I hope that if I had to, I would be able to do away with all my stories and never write again if that’s what God wants – but I’m only going to do that if there’s a clear sin issue.

As it is, there’s some temptations, bad thoughts, but as I’ve said before, it’s hard to see where it might be stemming from. What if I just remove the parts in my stories that are clearly tempting me? But what if that’s everything?

I hoping that wisdom and discernment are the way to go here, since if I truly get rid of everything that causes me to sin or everything that tempts, I would have to become a hermit – and even then I would still be stuck with my stupid brain (and the devil). But I have been struggling with this for months without feeling peace and it’s driving me crazy – and one day I might just give up writing altogether just so I’m not agonizing over it anymore. I’ll feel peace, at least for a time before the next new thing for me to worry about comes up, but I’m not sure if it will be because I’m “obeying God” or just because I’ve eliminated the issue altogether, whether or not it was biblical.

I just want to do the right thing. I want to rest in Jesus and not worry that I’m not saved because of the possibility I’m practicing sin by pushing my will in regards to writing stories that tempt me, even if it’s just one part and not the whole thing. I want to honor him through my stories.

Am I agonizing over details or being legalistic? Is this important? Am I deceiving myself? I’m definitely confusing myself. I know that was a lot, and I hope I didn’t confuse anyone else. :p Any insights would be much appreciated.