When I was in middle school, there was an unspoken law that you could never wear the same outfit as someone else. If Lisa’s mom bought her that totally cool neon pink sweatshirt you saw on TV, you better not get your own because she got it first. If you did show up in a matching outfit, you could expect glares all day from Lisa’s clique. Persevering teachers tried minimizing tension by assuring us that “Imitation is the highest form of flattery,” but there was a constant tension between the desire to be original and the need to fit in.
Even now, as adults, we struggle with this in some areas. As writers, for example, we aim to be original yet relevant. But do you ever talk yourself out of writing something because “it’s already been done”? Maybe you think of a great book idea and then remember that [insert famous author name here] released a book on that topic last year. Or you browse your daily blog feed and discover another blogger just wrote the piece you planned to write.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 affirms our feelings—“What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.”
I wonder if Christian writers experience this struggle more than others because the core of our message really isn’t new. Our faith is built on a foundation laid thousands of years ago, and writing from the wellspring of hearts steeped in God’s Word inevitably leads back to those ancient truths already recorded and written about by countless writers before us.
Have you ever thought about why we villainize repeated messages? Why do we so easily doubt the value of our words? Why do we question the worth of our words just because others may have a similar message or idea?
The Value of Repetition
If we aim to write for God’s glory and the good of others, we should actually welcome repetition. Repeating something that has already been said or written can significantly increase our ability to remember it.[1] One researcher claims that “repetition matters because it can hasten and deepen the engagement process.”[2] This is good news if our goal is to write transformative—not just informative—content.
Throughout history, each generation has faced unique challenges in understanding and internalizing the timeless message of the gospel as the culture changes. We benefit from the repetition of God’s message, especially when it’s communicated in a fresh way.
Our English Bibles demonstrate this. The original Scriptures were written in different languages; without translation, we couldn’t immerse ourselves in God’s glorious truth today unless we first learned the ancient languages. I’m so thankful for the people who saw the value of sharing the same message in a different way.
I’m not equating our writing with the Word of God, but our words can serve as a bridge between the ancient truth of God’s Word and modern-day application. Repetition is not redundancy; it’s reinforcement.
What Can the Bible Teach Writers About Repeating a Message?
The Bible’s four Gospels provide insight into the value of writing what has already been written.
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John wrote about the same person—Jesus Christ. They shared stories from the same period of his life, yet each narrative is unique and emphasizes different details. For example, Matthew chooses language and parts of Jesus’ history to highlight how Jesus fulfilled prophecy, while Mark tells many of the same stories but uses different language and emphases to focus specifically on Jesus as the Son of God.
The variations between the four Gospel accounts exist because a different author wrote each book for a different audience. Each Gospel writer wrote in his own voice and style. Some readers prefer Mark’s energetic pace, while others appreciate John’s personal perspective. Matthew wrote for a Jewish audience, so he didn’t provide much explanation about Jewish customs and theology. He assumed his readers understood those things. On the other hand, Luke was a Gentile author who wrote for a Gentile audience, so he provided more explanation about Jewish details to help his audience understand the significance of his message. Each writer had a unique perspective and purpose in writing their own version of the events.
We benefit from reading all four books and glean something special from each. Together, they offer a fuller glimpse into the life and ministry of Jesus. If Matthew hadn’t written his version, we wouldn’t know about Jesus healing the two blind men and the mute demoniac (Matthew 9:27–34). If Mark hadn’t written his version, we wouldn’t know the Parable of the Seed Growing (Mark 4:26–29). Luke’s and John’s accounts also have significant passages that are not found in the others.
So it is for our writing. Even when the message of our words has been shared by others, our version provides a unique voice and perspective. We might reach a different audience or touch on a detail others neglected and provide fresh insight to our readers.
Rethinking Our Role as Christian Writers
While the Bible never mentions writing as a spiritual gift, our ability to communicate our message uniquely through the written word is indeed a gift. In Romans 12:6, the Apostle Paul exhorts us to use the unique gifts God has given us. Peter conveyed a similar message—
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:10–11).
Stewardship is “the care and management of that which belongs to another” (Donald Whitney). Everything we have—including our time, talent, and treasure—is entrusted to us by God. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 4:7, “What do you have that you did not receive?”
So, if we’ve been given the gift of writing, we must write! Faithful stewardship of our written words doesn’t demand originality. Rather, God’s purpose in entrusting us with our unique message and gifts is to build up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). Will Parker Anderson insightfully defines our commission this way—
“The great task of Christian writers is not presenting spiritual novelty; it’s disrupting spiritual narcolepsy. We’re not inventing something new, but rather helping people see old things with new eyes. Our words are smelling salts to slumbering souls (including our own).”—Will Parker Anderson, The Writers Circle. November 23, 2024
Practical Encouragement for Writers with an “Old” Message
There may be nothing new under the sun, but “new” is overrated. After all, the best-selling book of all time—the Bible—was written thousands of years ago and has inspired millions since![3] When we write what God uniquely equipped us to write, our words add value even if they repeat ancient truths.
Here are some practical tips to encourage you in writing the message that’s stirring in your heart, even if others have written about it, too.
1. Write What Matters to You
We must write from our own overflowing inkwell—our hearts. How are you filling your well?
Words written in response to God’s transformative work in our own lives will engage readers. What topics, experiences, or ideas matter to you because they’ve impacted your life? Write about those.
2. Identify Your Audience
Who is your audience? Who needs to read your message? Are your readers new believers or seasoned Christians, young adults or parents?
Emulate the Gospel writers by tailoring your word choices, examples, and applications to resonate with your target audience. Address your readers’ current struggles and questions. Consider how the timeless truths of the Bible can speak to the situations your readers face today.
3. Provide a Unique & Relatable Perspective
Think about Christian writing that has impacted you personally. What about the writing made you care enough to read about “old truth”?
Reflect on how God’s Word has impacted your own life. Journaling can provide insight and potential inspiration for the writing you share with your readers.
Personal anecdotes or stories to illustrate biblical principles can make your writing more relatable and authentic.
4. Embrace Community
Join a writers’ group or find a mentor. In online Christian writing communities, I learn from more experienced writers, gain fresh insight into Scripture, receive prayer support from people who understand, and benefit from editorial feedback. (Check out The Writers’ Bloc and GCD Writers’ Guild.) The encouragement, fellowship, and feedback are truly invaluable—even life-changing.
5. Write Anyway
Pursue faithfulness before originality. God-glorifying writing, even on well-trodden subjects, is a ministry that can profoundly impact lives.
Pray about how you can steward the message God gave you today. Maybe it means simply journaling about something you’re pondering or writing a blog post or a series of blog posts to practice and hone your writing skills. Be willing to take small steps of faith in your writing stewardship.
Faithfulness Never Gets Old
Has God inspired and equipped you to share his ancient message with a different audience and in your own voice? Then write with boldness and faith in God’s timing and purposes for your heartfelt words.
Your words matter. The world is full of words that deceive, discourage, and divide.
But God’s goodness, beauty, and truth never get old.
[2] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228318502_Repetition_is_the_First_Principle_of_All_Learning
[3] https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/best-selling-book-of-non-fiction