Why I Don’t Bible Journal

I love creating with paper, ink, and intention. But I’ve made a choice when I got saved that often surprises others in the creative Christian space:

I don’t Bible journal. I don’t create artwork in my Bible.

Not because I don’t treasure Scripture—but because I do. In fact, it’s precisely because I hold God’s Word in such high regard that I’ve chosen a different path.

This choice stems from a deep conviction that God’s Word is Holy, set apart, and meant to be handled with reverence. While I respect others’ creative approaches, my heart has always leaned toward preserving the integrity of Scripture and engaging with it in a way that elevates its authority, not my artistic interpretation.

Scriptures That Shaped This Conviction

1. Deuteronomy 4:2

“You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you.”

This verse reminds me that God’s Word is complete and should not be altered or treated as a blank canvas. To me, that includes avoiding artistic embellishments that might distract from or overshadow the sacred text.

2. Ecclesiastes 5:2

“Do not be rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.”

This scripture keeps me grounded, reminding me that my approach to God’s Word should be marked by humility and restraint.

3. 2 Timothy 2:15

“Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

This doesn’t mean highlighting or note-taking are wrong, but rather that we are to research, feed on, and rightly divide the Word with diligence. It’s about knowing the context, doctrine, and original meanings—not just picking a verse that feels good and coloring around it.

4. Hebrews 4:12

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword… discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

God’s Word is already alive and powerful. It doesn’t need our enhancements—it transforms on its own.

5. Psalm 119:11

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

The best journaling starts in the heart. Before my hands touch ink or paint, I want the Word to touch me first.

6. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”

This holy breath of God deserves our full attention. Submitting our fleshly desires for artistic trends in exchange for the truth is a worthy surrender.

7. Isaiah 64:6

“All our righteous acts are like filthy rags…”

Even our most beautiful, well-intentioned creativity falls short of the majesty of God’s righteousness. It is only through Christ that our worship becomes acceptable to Him.

Rooted in Reverence, Not Trend

Prayerfully Sent isn’t meant to follow American cultural trends in the paper-crafting industry or more importantly in Christianity. My aim is to uphold the Word of God, advance the Kingdom, and live as a doer of His Word—not just a hearer.

James 1:22 tells us, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” If we are not actively being doers of the Word of God, then we are deceiving ourselves and others. Our creative practices must lead to transformed lives and obedience to Christ.

There’s another concern that weighs on my heart about Bible journaling specifically: when artists create artwork directly in their Bibles, they often physically cover the surrounding Scripture with paint, tape, stickers, or collage materials to embellish a single verse. But those surrounding verses provide context, doctrine, and truth that are equally God-breathed. As I mentioned earlier, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us that all Scripture is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness—not just the verses that resonate with a current season or aesthetic preferences. The verses being covered in the pages of Scripture are just as applicable to spiritual growth as the ones being decorated. God’s Word works together as a whole, and every verse matters.

Even more sobering is this reality: through Bible art journaling, artists may accidentally create their own version of the Lord Jesus Christ without even realizing it. When verses are selected based on personal preference, aesthetic appeal, or emotional resonance while covering or ignoring the surrounding context, there’s a risk of crafting an image of Christ that reflects personal desires rather than His full revelation. It’s possible to unintentionally shape a Jesus who comforts but never convicts, who loves but never corrects, who saves but never calls us to die to self. The whole counsel of God’s Word reveals who Christ truly is—removing or obscuring portions of Scripture can distort our understanding of His character and His gospel.”

You can’t be a Christian without Christ.

Our relationship with Christ isn’t legalistic, but it is marked by respect and honor toward the King and His Kingdom. There are two Kingdoms in the Earth today: the Kingdom of darkness and the Kingdom of God. Christ is calling His Bride toward love for Him, and obedience flows as an overflow of that love.

This is why you can’t be a Christian without Christ. Just as there is no separation between faith and daily life, there is no separation between artistic expression and Christ. Everything we create should flow from our devotion to Him.

My decision is from a place of love for Christ, His Word, and for those who are enduring under heavy persecution and even death.

Many Christians across the world, particularly in persecuted regions, have no access to Bibles and are forced to memorize entire books of Scripture. They treasure each word because they understand they might face long seasons without access to it—or may never hold a physical Bible again. Some have had their Bibles confiscated or destroyed. They (entire families) risk imprisonment, torture, and death simply for possessing God’s Word. Many Missionaries risk their lives transporting Bibles to inaccessible areas to reach those people who are praying to God for the very Bibles, while the Western world commercializes and uses it as a coloring book.

This reality deeply humbles me and shapes my perspective. While we in America debate artistic styles and trends around our Bibles, our brothers and sisters around the world are being executed for their faith, just as the Apostles were. They would give anything just to hold the Scriptures we so freely decorate.

If you are a Christian, please take the time needed to understand what is happening to your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ in foreign lands. This reality may change the way you live your life as an American Christian.

The Apostles themselves were imprisoned, beaten, and martyred for proclaiming the Gospel. Paul wrote much of the New Testament while imprisoned and later requested scrolls because the Word was his lifeline—not his canvas.

This isn’t to shame anyone’s practice, but to provide perspective.

When we have such abundant access to God’s Word, how should we handle it?

What does reverence look like in a culture of abundance?

I also recall how parchment was expensive during the apostles’ day, making each scroll precious and rare. Scripture reveals how God gave specific and holy instructions when art and worship intersected—especially in building the tabernacle (Exodus 31). He anointed artists like Bezalel for a purpose: to reflect His glory, not their own.

What I Do Instead (Bible Journal Alternatives)

As Christian crafters and artists, we all have our convictions—some stronger than others. But we must remember the mission the Apostles carried: proclaiming the eternal love of Christ and the call for souls to be saved. They were imprisoned and martyred for sharing this eternal truth, as have countless believers since. But most importantly, Christ died in our place so that we might spend our lives loving Him and walk into eternity to worship Him creatively.

Instead of Bible journaling directly on the pages of Scripture, I:

1. Create greeting cards that reflect the heart of God’s message. Then I send them out!
2. Hand write the Old & New Testament in a separate journal. I invested in a quality Humble Lamb Bible specifically to preserve God’s Word while keeping my creative expression separate.
3. Look up Greek and Hebrew words and study Biblical context and doctrine. Proper study matters.
4. Practice calligraphy in a dedicated journal, allowing God’s Word to flow through my hand and heart. The featured content in this post shows the beginning stages of using a Dip Pen for the first time.
5. Create mixed media journal pages centered on key scriptures I’m learning, meditating on, or memorizing—dated for future reflection.

These are acts of devotion, not just expression. They are my way of fulfilling the Great Commission through the creative gifts He’s entrusted to me.

A Note on Prophetic Art

Prophetic art is a beautiful gift and expression—but it must be handled with wisdom, maturity, and discernment. Those anointed in this area are called to proclaim, serve, and worship the Lord through their creative offerings.

I often take my sketchbook to fellowship. During worship, I praise the Lord and sketch, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide my hand as an act of worship and response to His presence.

Like the Levitical priests and anointed artisans, we too are called to consecrate our gifts.

A Prayerful Confession

Renew your mind to God’s Word daily. The confession of your faith as you create will deepen your relationship with Him. The keys you’ve been searching for will appear, and the doors of your heart will be unlocked to incredible blessings as you allow God to reveal Himself.

Because Jesus Christ our Messiah is life itself—breathed in the very Scriptures we all know, love, and are learning to obey.

We, as believers filled with the Holy Spirit, are living epistles written by God’s Word—carrying the message of hope to a broken and fallen world.

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Learn More About Persecuted Christians Worldwide

I hope you take the time to educate yourselves about the reality of our persecuted family in foreign lands. Please pray for them, their families, and the missionaries.

The following videos area few of hundreds if not thousands of videostestifying that Christians are being persecuted for their faith. Some of which major platforms hide. Christis still saving souls even in the most remote and dangerous nations.

Nations Ban Bibles: Smugglers Risk Their Lives to Get Bibles in With Divine Help: Revelation TV

Voice of the Martyrs

Beyond Borders

Global Christian Relief

Torch of Christ Ministries

It’s time to wake up Christians of America.

Let your creativity serve the Kingdom of God—not trends. Let your art reflect reverence for Christ—not distraction. And let your lives proclaim the Gospel—not just your pens.

Blessings to you in Christ Jesus, my Lord,

Filed under: Artisan Collection, Artisan Journal, Materials & Tools, Scripture Reflections, Techniques