Why AI vs. Spirit-Led Sermon Writing Is a False Dichotomy.

By Jon-Michael Sherman

What’s the number one criticism we hear at SermonDone when it comes to using AI for sermon writing?

“We should be Spirit-led, not use AI.”

Here’s the truth:

That’s a false dichotomy.

Let’s fix it:

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What’s a False Dichotomy?

A false dichotomy happens when you act like there are only two choices, and you must pick one — when in reality, both can be true.

A few examples:

• “You can either be smart or humble.” (False — you can be both.)

• “You can either love God or love your neighbor.” (False — Jesus said they go together.)

• “You can either be Spirit-led or use AI.” (False — you can, and should, do both.)

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So Let’s Decide Something Right Now:

We can be Spirit-led

AND

Use technology to help us write sermons.

No heresy. No compromise. No alien brain implants.

The confusion comes from two things:

• A misunderstanding of the Holy Spirit’s role in sermon writing.

• A fear of embracing new technology that God can use for His glory.

Let’s clear it up.

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The Role of the Spirit — and AI — in Sermon Writing

1. The Holy Spirit Helps Us Preach the Word

• Scripture is Spirit-breathed, inspired, inerrant.

• AI is just a tool that helps you study Scripture better — gathering cross-references, word studies, and resources faster than your dusty library ever could.

Reminder:

AI isn’t giving you new revelation. It’s helping you work with the revelation already given.

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2. The Holy Spirit Helps Us Do Exegesis, Not Eisegesis

• Good preaching starts in the text. And pulls the meaning out of the text (exegesis), not into it (eisegesis).

• AI can pull from commentaries, church fathers, and trusted sources so you don’t get trapped in your own weird ideas.

• It helps anchor you to historic orthodoxy — not Instagram/TikTok theology.

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3. The Holy Spirit Helps Us Apply the Word to Our Lives and Congregations

• The Spirit brings conviction, correction, comfort, and empowerment.

• AI can help bridge the gap between the text and today’s culture, helping you identify where the Gospel challenges our cultural assumptions.

AI doesn’t replace conviction.

It just makes sure you’re preaching about the right sin.

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Here’s What the Holy Spirit Is NOT:

• An excuse not to study, read or prepare.

• A badge to make you or your bad sermons sound more spiritual (like you’re Moses coming down the mountain with the tablets LOL).

• A free pass to practice sloppy eisegesis.

Being filled with the Spirit doesn’t mean you get to ditch reason, work ethic, biblical hermeneutics, or personal responsibility.

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Real Talk

I’m Pentecostal.

I speak in tongues more than most of you.

Sermon writing for me is deeply prayerful and Spirit-led.

And guess what?

I also use technology — like AI — to be a faithful, efficient, and clear witness of the Gospel.

Your prayer life isn’t threatened by good tools.

Your anointing isn’t canceled because you outlined your series with a little help.

You are using the resources God has given you to be faithful. 

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Final Thought

You can be full of God’s Spirit AND use AI to write, research, and refine your sermons.

Stop falling for false dichotomies.

Stop acting like Spirit-filled pastors have to be stuck in the Stone Age.

Let’s preach better, study harder, pray more fervently — and be faithful witnesses in every way possible.

Even with a laptop open.