I don't want to sound flaky (I do not mean theopneustos or "God-breathed" like Scripture claims), but all Christians have the anointing per 1 John 2:20, and I am not just using that word carelessly or loosely. Note that Christians don't have a monopoly on definitions. God can put His words into our mouth and we can prophesy (even Caiaphas did)--there is still the ability to prophesy in the body of Christ--but inspiration applies to more than that. Do you ever feel moved and influenced by God? I don't mean the ability to speak ex-cathedra like the Pope when he pontificates and claims to have the infallibility or inerrancy like Scripture.
I believe Shakespeare was "inspired" to use the term loosely--he wasn't just an intellectual giant but possessed a divine gift and calling from God (he claimed to be a Christian, mind you). I've heard people say that they wondered where the Beatles got their "anointing" to have such an impact on a generation. Poets who write love sonnets must really feel in love and have a passion for what they are writing. They usually pen these sonnets while in the mood and take advantage of the "spirit" whenever or wherever it might hit them. To be inspired you must be ready to go with the flow, so to speak, and make the sacrifices. Many great poets have been bipolar or manic-depressive in their personality type and go through moods of euphoria when they feel especially creative.
"My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer" (Psalm 45:1). We all have the anointing as believers according to 1 John 2:20).
You wouldn't believe the love poems I wrote when I was in love and really just had to express it. I believe inspiration is for all believers if they find their niche and pursue it with all their passion. Poetry is not just an intellectual thing, but a matter of the spirit of the man and is his connection with God being expressed verbally. I know of a preacher who said he knew the Bible was inspired because it inspired him. Many a husband will honestly say that their wives inspire them--for this is the word of love. Martin Luther claimed that he never prayed or preached better than when he was inspired by anger, his biggest flaw.
Biblical examples of being inspired are David being "moved" by Satan to number Israel in 1 Chron. 21:1; Cyrus the Great being "moved" to liberate the Jews; and the people being inspired ("having a mind to work") to work in Neh. 4:6 and Jesus telling his disciples not to worry about what to say when they were delivered up to the authorities (Luke 12:12) because the Spirit will give them the words to say at the time.
The Word, according to the Psalms, is supposed to be inspiring to us: "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path;" "The entrance of thy Word gives light, it gives understanding unto the simple;" "For with you is the fountain of life, in your light we see light;" Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me." Hosea understood what it was to be persecuted for claiming inspiration: "The prophet is considered a fool, the inspired person a maniac" (Hos. 9:7). Soli Deo Gloria!
I believe Shakespeare was "inspired" to use the term loosely--he wasn't just an intellectual giant but possessed a divine gift and calling from God (he claimed to be a Christian, mind you). I've heard people say that they wondered where the Beatles got their "anointing" to have such an impact on a generation. Poets who write love sonnets must really feel in love and have a passion for what they are writing. They usually pen these sonnets while in the mood and take advantage of the "spirit" whenever or wherever it might hit them. To be inspired you must be ready to go with the flow, so to speak, and make the sacrifices. Many great poets have been bipolar or manic-depressive in their personality type and go through moods of euphoria when they feel especially creative.
"My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer" (Psalm 45:1). We all have the anointing as believers according to 1 John 2:20).
You wouldn't believe the love poems I wrote when I was in love and really just had to express it. I believe inspiration is for all believers if they find their niche and pursue it with all their passion. Poetry is not just an intellectual thing, but a matter of the spirit of the man and is his connection with God being expressed verbally. I know of a preacher who said he knew the Bible was inspired because it inspired him. Many a husband will honestly say that their wives inspire them--for this is the word of love. Martin Luther claimed that he never prayed or preached better than when he was inspired by anger, his biggest flaw.
Biblical examples of being inspired are David being "moved" by Satan to number Israel in 1 Chron. 21:1; Cyrus the Great being "moved" to liberate the Jews; and the people being inspired ("having a mind to work") to work in Neh. 4:6 and Jesus telling his disciples not to worry about what to say when they were delivered up to the authorities (Luke 12:12) because the Spirit will give them the words to say at the time.
The Word, according to the Psalms, is supposed to be inspiring to us: "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path;" "The entrance of thy Word gives light, it gives understanding unto the simple;" "For with you is the fountain of life, in your light we see light;" Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me." Hosea understood what it was to be persecuted for claiming inspiration: "The prophet is considered a fool, the inspired person a maniac" (Hos. 9:7). Soli Deo Gloria!
All believers filled with the Spirit should realize they are or can be inspired in this broad sense of the word, I'm not trying to be spooky or mystical, as some would term it. You don't want someone to say to you, "It's all in your head!"
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