Problems only Christian artists will understand!

What kind of problems do artists experience? 

                                                                                             

What about Christian makers and artists?  

In this blog post, my desire is to start a conversation about the darkness we experience as “Christian artists” and of course sin is at the root of these problems. 

But before we dive in, I do want to say that these issues aren’t only for visual artists or makers, but every Christian and every human being on the planet can identify with the same moral state. “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23 

Moreover, I would also like to emphasize the rest of that verse above because how else could we walk forward in hope? ___ “and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, “ -Romans 3:24 

Pride and Idolatry in my Heart

Art is often used as a therapeutic tool for people who experience any sort of trauma, and it makes sense because it can be meditative. We can express our pains on paper and open up to the reality of our heart.

The problem is when that process ends up becoming all about us (pride). We can look in and identify the bad, but the answer to our pain must never come from within. Identifying the bad is not enough. Why? Well, that’s not what the Bible teaches. 

Every person on the planet has a complete need for God. We are completely dead without Him. “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins”- Ephesians 2:1. 

Only God alone can be our refuge, our salvation and our strength. 

Art without God at the center of it can slowly become our only way out because it becomes our safe place (idolatry).   

“I lift up my eyes to the hills.

  From where does my help come?

 

My help comes from the Lord,

    who made heaven and earth.”

-Psalm 121:1 

You know, life at home is difficult and art is the only way to escape.

 At least that was my experience as an eight-year-old girl. 

As I got older art became my life. It was who I was. 

I was the girl who could draw. “Wow, you’re good!” 

That is where pride and idolatry began. It felt good to be noticed and to have hope.

You might be asking yourself right about now. Isn’t this going a bit too far? 

Perhaps__ but this is coming from a person who was lost. God was not Lord or savior! 

 

This was my experience as an unbeliever and I’m sharing this extreme scenario to draw attention to the heart issues at hand. This was my reality at that point in time, but only looking back as a believer in Christ, can I now see where things started. 

Art became sort of a “god” for me. Art became the reason I existed. 

Perhaps that was not your experience?  

Maybe you are a born again Christian and your art making was never separate from God. Christ is the center and therefore everything else has to align. But the question I want you to meditate on is this: Have you felt the temptation to put art “first”? 

Have you caught yourself thinking more about your art journey and not enough about the journey to become more like Christ? Can the art making process be redeemed? And if there is shame, can there be repentance? 

Art was once number one in my life. My idol and refuge. My glory! I needed no one. What a horrible existence that was!

BUT___praise the Lord for his saving grace. 

Artist a “Free Spirit”? __ NOT a Christian Artist!

How about sensuality and lawlessness? How about drunkenness?

Art is all about satisfying the flesh, is it not? It can be. 

What kind of Gallery can I go to? 

How do I dress like an artist? Wait___a “Christian artist”? 

Should I go to the figure drawing class (nudity)? 

These are honest thoughts that any Christian artist will face. The Holy Spirit is faithful to convict the Christian heart and if you’re an artist. Temptation is everywhere. In every profession. In every step the Christian takes. 

The time of being a “free-spirit” is over! We belong to Christ.

 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”- 1 Cor. 6: 19-20

 God is first, and so art must be second. 

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” 

– Col. 3:1-3

I can paint freely for the Lord without shame but the moment my faith in Christ is compromised, either in issues of the heart or the body. I must decide whom it is that I serve. The question to ask is simple.

Will this glorify Christ? 

Yes, I’m an artist, but with a new identity. I am now in Christ and “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.[a] The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Cor. 5:17

We have a new way of living. Everything we do must be in light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The goal is now to be more like Him who died for us. Art is beautiful, but it must not be a stumbling block. 

 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”- 2 Cor. 5:20-21

The Heart Problem to Identify 

Before I can even call myself a “Christian artist”, I already have two problems (sins) chasing me down. These two will show up daily or at least demand my attention from time to time.

The verses below are a good place to start searching and meditating. Reflect on how you measure up? Does the word of God show me any area that needs pruning? Can I sincerely identify the sins in my heart? 

• PRIDE (“I’m enough” vs. “I need God”)

• “When pride comes, then comes disgrace,

    but with the humble is wisdom.” – Proverbs 11:2 

•  “And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” – Luke 10:27 

• “For by[a] him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” – Col. 1:16 

• “to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time[a] and now and forever. Amen.” – Jude 1:25

• IDOLATRY ( “Everything else”  vs. “God above all” )

• “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” – 1 Cor. 10:31 

• “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:[a] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” – Col. 3:5 

• “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthews 6:1 

• “Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”– Romans 1: 22-23 

Need a bit more on this topic? Read this resource:

 Material Things, Monotheism, Pride and Idolatry — Power of Change

The Narrow Path is NARROW

Now what? Reading through this post was not the sweetest and most delightful read. But my intent was not to point fingers, but to shine a light. If we come to the light, it will expose our iniquities and the truth will set us free. 

“But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,” – Ephesians 5:14

“For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” – John 3:20 

“In him was life, [a] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” -John 1:4-5 

Time to reflect, repent and turn to God, for he is faithful. 

•  Am I satisfying my flesh? Do I create to be seen and seek the favor of man?

• Who is getting the glory in my art journey/career? 

• Do I have pure intentions? 

• Who is my refuge? 

• Am I seeking riches? 

The struggles Christian artists face are no different from what any normal Christian struggles with. Sin is present in every man, yet the word of God is clear about the redeeming sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

The good news of the Gospel is where the Christian faith must rest. By grace alone, through faith alone, by Christ alone!

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:8-9