As a poet, I’ve had some really interesting moments lately. Back in 2023 – a time where I was repping Jesus, but wasn’t yet saved – I recorded a podcast episode on the power of poetry.
I recently listened to that episode, for a touch of nostalgia, and… it moved me to tears. (Not being conceited here, but I was legit bawling.) The episode was so encouraging and gave me all the feels. So, naturally, I listened a second time. And, once I did… the tears dried right on up. I was stunned at realizing how much of a different doctrine I was spewing.
Of course, the podcast was about poetry, not about God. Of course, I didn’t know that I was saying anything problematic at the time of recording. Of course, my podcast words were encouraging. Of course, there was nothing inherently “evil” being spewed. Of course, I still love poetry. But… when broken down, the message I presented blatantly contradicted some core tenants of our faith.
I say all that to acknowledge that not every song or poem is meant to be Christian. And not everything is written with blasphemous intent. However… when a piece of prose is utilized as either a teaching, a foundation or a mantra-of-sorts… it should be open to analysis by those of us in the faith.
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When a sorority or fraternity which claims to be based on “Christian principles” utilizes a piece of prose as a mantra-of-sorts… it should be open to analysis by those of us in the faith.
And so enter: Invictus; the 1875 poem penned by William Ernest Henley. This poem has been unofficially adopted by Black Greek Letter Organizations (the Divine 9). Members learn it, “spit” it and commit it to memory. Once I renounced my former sorority, I obviously rejected the contents of “Invictus” – particularly its closing lines. But, because it wasn’t a poem featured in the ritual, I only gave it surface level consideration.
However, now that I’m Born Again, I’m thoughtfully reading through the Bible. And God is bringing many things to the forefront. For instance: every mention of “the pit” gives me pause. The Old Testament is sprinkled with references to “the pit”; the destination awaiting deceivers and the wicked. It’s surely not a place for God’s children.
In Invictus, Henley, too, mentions the pit. But, of course, we use terms recklessly when we’re in the world. (Plus, Henley was an atheist!) So I opted not to hold that word choice against him.
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And then… I made it to Job 33. And, that’s when everything hit me like a ton of bricks. Each line of Invictus, a polar opposite or distortion of the verses in Job. It took me about a month to sit with until, finally – this week, over morning tea – I sat down and color-coded my thoughts.
Check out the image, below, and take it in at your own pace. (The highlighted lines in Invictus should be compared to the same-colored highlight in Job.)
Case in point:
Invictus says: It matters not how strait the gate; how charged with punishment the scroll…
But, Job 33 says: I have sinned, I have perverted what is right, but I did not get what I deserved…
Invictus: Beyond this place of wrath and tears, looms but the horror of the shade.
The Bible: God has delivered me from going down to the pit, and I shall live to enjoy the light of life.
I don’t expect the world to follow the Lord’s doctrine. And because I know this, it is a reminder that we – the body of Christ – need to stay vigilant. Before we share a message, take something as our mantra, or shout a thing to the world… we must vet it.
And this is a note to self, even with my own poetry: The enemy doesn’t just come to deceive you… he comes to make you deceive others.
Stay alert and sober minded!
I first posted this image to Facebook on June 8th, 2026, without the watermark.
Lexzie in Christ 