Navigating a Shaking World with Unshakeable Truth

We are living in a time where fact checking has not only become the norm, but a necessity. As the lines of what is true seemingly become more blurred, and people grapple with right versus wrong, or “my truth” versus “your truth,” it leaves us searching for an anchor. We need a place not only to put our hope, but to solidify what the truth actually is.

God has provided us with just that: His written Word, the Bible. As we read the Bible, we find timeless truths and promises to help us navigate the world we live in. As we read His Word, we get to know more about who He is, His character, and His attributes. And as we understand more of who He is, we become more aware of who we are called to be, allowing us to put our trust in His unshakeable truth.

Let’s look at the example Jesus gives us in Matthew 4:1-11 on how to navigate truth in a shaking world. As He shows us, it is anchored in three simple words: “It is written.”

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit in the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:1-4)

Jesus responded to the attack of the enemy with the truth.

As the NIV Study Bible beautifully points out: “Although Jesus was the Son of God, he defeated Satan by using a weapon that everyone has at his or her disposal: the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Eph. 6:17). He met all three temptations with scriptural truth from Deuteronomy.”

What a profound example for us today. Jesus, who possesses all authority and power, knew that we would experience temptation and attacks from the enemy. Because of this, He showed us that it is entirely possible to push back against the darkness using the truth of God’s Word. Every believer has the ability to stand in the authority Jesus has given them, and to speak truth and life over their circumstances. Every believer can declare, “It is written.”

Now, of course, you don’t have to fight battles alone. What a gift it is that we get to do life together and can have people come alongside us to pray and intercede! But what is so exciting about Jesus’s example here is how deeply empowering it is on a personal level. He is showing us that God has already given us everything we need to be victorious over the enemy through the truth of His Word. As Jesus says in Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”

Which leads us to a crucial second point: Truth alone won’t set you free; it is the truth that you know.

In John 8:31-32, Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

In order to walk in truth and apply it to our everyday lives, we need to really know it for ourselves. In the heat of temptation, Jesus wasn’t searching through scrolls, asking an AI engine, or doing a quick Google search for “applicable verses when facing temptation.” Rather, He was prepared because He already knew the Word of God.

Likewise, we need to prepare ourselves. It’s one thing to have a Bible sitting on a shelf ready to be opened, but it is something entirely different when you actually pick it up, read it, learn it, and internalize its truth. Because when the battles rage, when temptation hits, or when the unexpected loss of a job or a loved one happens, we don’t want to be left hopeless, vulnerable, and scrambling to find our footing. Instead, we want to be secure in knowing exactly where our hope is anchored.

This is exactly why, as a church, we continue to share the different ways you can get connected and grow in your faith. From Alpha to Life Groups, to Inste and the Coastal School of Missions, we want to help you know the Word.

Personally, I experienced the vital importance of this firsthand when my son was four months old. We had a doctor’s appointment where I was told that if he didn’t start gaining weight soon, he would be deemed as “failure to thrive.” I remember leaving that appointment feeling so discouraged, heavy, and fearful. What was going to happen? Had I failed as a mom?

I found myself at a pivotal moment. I could either shrink back and allow the flood of anxiety and fear to sweep over me and take me out, OR I could stand on the truth of God’s Word and believe that He had more for my son and my family.

As I began to pray and place my trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit began to bring scripture to my remembrance, truth for me to stand on and speak life over the situation. Yes, we were in the midst of a challenging circumstance, but as we took hold of God’s unshakeable truth, courage and hope rang louder than anxiety and fear. We prayed Psalm 139:13-16 over him, declaring that he was created in God’s image, fearfully and wonderfully made, and that every part of his body would function exactly the way it was created to. We reminded ourselves of Joshua 1:9, that God is with us wherever we go.

When it came time for our next check-up, I was so expectant for his measurements to be taken because I knew God was working on his behalf. And wouldn’t you know it, he had gained weight and was tracking in the right direction on the growth chart! Hallelujah, it was truly an answer to prayer!

As I look back on that season, I realize just how precious it was to rely on the truth that “I knew.” Because I had studied and memorized those scriptures over the years, God was able to bring them to my memory in the exact moments I needed them most.

Perhaps you’re reading this and you have a desire to know God’s Word, but maybe you don’t know where to start. I’d love to leave you with a few quick tips on getting to know the truth, based on the Six Ways to Get a Grasp on Your Bible (as found in Coastal Church’s Connect Course 201 appendix):

• 1. Hear God’s Voice: Prepare your heart and be eager to hear from Him. The Bible is God’s primary means by which He speaks to us.
• 2. Read God’s Word: Find a translation of the Bible that you can easily read and understand (NKJV, NLT, and NIV are a few great examples). Use a devotional or a Bible reading plan to help guide you. If you need help finding one, let us know!
• 3. Study God’s Word: A study Bible is a very useful tool, as it has footnotes to provide context. You can also join a Life Group to go deeper or perhaps enroll in Inste!
• 4. Memorize God’s Word: Start by choosing a verse that has spoken to you. Begin to say it out loud multiple times, write it down, and keep reviewing it.
• 5. Meditate on God’s Word: Continue to think on what you’ve been reading, or the verses you have memorized, throughout your day.
• 6. Apply God’s Word: “Do not fool yourselves by just listening to the Word. Instead, put it into practice.” James 1:22.

God has equipped you with everything you need to navigate this shaking world through His unshakeable truth. By taking the time to really get to know Him and His Word, you are securing your hope in Jesus, the true anchor for our souls. So, let me encourage you this week: Open your Bible. Read it, study it, and let it get deep inside your heart. When you do, you’ll find that no matter what battles or temptations come your way, you will be more prepared to confidently declare, “It is written!”