Applying the Character Quality of Creativity

Creativity vs. Underachievement

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3 min

Creativity is cultivating wise thoughts, prudent words, and skillful actions to carry out God’s will.

The Hebrew word for create is bara’. It means “to shape, fashion, create.” It was used to define God’s creation of man in Genesis 1:27. A similar word—yatsar—was used in Genesis 2:7, when God formed man from the dust of the ground. Yatsar describes the action of a potter forming a vessel for a particular purpose. (See Isaiah 29:16.) The wisdom and understanding of the Creator is expressed and demonstrated in that which He creates.

Creativity is used for making not only things but also plans. Thus, the following two words amplify the quality of creativity:

Cunning—This word combines skill, inventiveness, and cleverness with creativity. “Esau was a cunning hunter” (Genesis 25:27), David was “a cunning player on an harp” (I Samuel 16:16), and Daniel was “cunning in knowledge” (Daniel 1:4).
Subtilty—Subtilty is the ability to strategize to accomplish a goal. It is using discretion and prudence in working out a plan. The Proverbs are written “to give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion” (Proverbs 1:4).

What Is the Purpose of Creativity?

The foundation of every character quality is genuine love, and one of the best ways to express love is through good works.

The foundation of every character quality is genuine love, and one of the best ways to express love is through good works.

Creativity is necessary to effectively carry out good works. The great importance of good works is indicated by the many Biblical references to them.

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work” (II Corinthians 9:8).
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10).

What Activates Creativity?

Creativity is activated by thoughts. Before God created the world, He determined in the counsel of His will that He would create man, provide a Redeemer, and establish good works for believers to follow. (See I Peter 1:18–21, Ephesians 1:4, Titus 2, and Ephesians 2:10.) If our thoughts are based on the Word of God, our creativity will be for good purposes. If our thoughts are not based on Scripture, our creativity will produce selfish or evil results.

Creativity is energized when thoughts are expressed in words. After God conceived creation in His mind, He spoke the words, and it came about. “God said, Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), and “God said, Let us make man in our image” (Genesis 1:26). The power of words in the process of creativity explains why God warns that every word must be carefully chosen before it is spoken. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 18:21).

How Can We Increase Our Creativity?

Creativity is an expression of wisdom. “I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions” (Proverbs 8:12). Every believer has an opportunity to receive more wisdom by simply asking for it. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). The conditions that God has established for wisdom are also important to follow. “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:6).

If we are serious about increasing our creativity, we should not only ask for wisdom but also cry out for it. “Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:3–6).

The ultimate source of wisdom is the Scriptures. The more we study, memorize, and meditate on them, the greater foundation we will have for true creativity.