Hold Every Message Up to Scripture: Staying Rooted in Truth in a Confused Culture
In a world full of voices, messages, and influencers, many claiming to speak for God, it has never been more important for Christians to hold everything we read, listen to, and believe up to the truth of Scripture.
As believers, we affirm that God’s Word is our ultimate authority—it is reliable, inspired, and sufficient for every aspect of life. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 reminds us:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”
At Hope Counseling, we often remind our clients that God’s Word doesn’t just speak to “spiritual” matters, it speaks into every area of life: our identity, relationships, emotions, and decisions. The Bible isn’t just one voice among many; it is the final authority that reveals who God is and who we are in Him.
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
2 Timothy 3:16–17
The Danger of “Christian” Messages That Don’t Point to Christ
Recently, in an episode of the Unshaken Faith podcast, Alisa Childers and Natasha Crain discussed Jen Hatmaker’s new best-selling memoir Awake, which has quickly captivated Christian women across the country. In the book, Hatmaker describes Christianity as the greatest source of oppression in her life and replaces it with what Alisa calls an “unholy trinity” of feminism, critical pedagogy, and even witchcraft.
Childers and Crain gently but clearly reveal that Awake is not just a personal story—it’s a theological manifesto that exchanges biblical truth for self-worship and emotional “truth.” They show how post-Christian spirituality often replaces Scripture with self-trust, energy rituals, and “follow your heart” philosophies that may sound freeing, but ultimately lead us away from Christ.
We recommend listening to this powerful and insightful episode here: “Awake or Deceived: Inside Jen Hatmaker’s New Gospel”
Why We Must Stay on Guard
Jen Hatmaker is a well-known and influential voice in Christian culture, and that influence is exactly why discernment is so important. When someone speaks with passion, compassion, or familiarity with Scripture, it’s easy to assume they are pointing us toward Christ. But as 1 John 4:1 warns:
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.”
Even when something seems “Christian,” we must ask:
Does it align with the truth of Scripture?
Does it lead me to repentance and faith in Christ—or deeper faith in myself?
Does it uphold the authority of God’s Word—or replace it with my feelings?
True freedom and healing don’t come from rejecting God’s authority, but from surrendering to it. Our hearts are not trustworthy guides—Jesus is.
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.
1 John 4:1
Anchored in the Word
At Hope Counseling, our goal is to help individuals, couples, and families stay anchored in the unchanging truth of God’s Word, especially in a culture that constantly redefines truth. The Bible remains a sure foundation in a shifting world, offering wisdom, correction, and comfort for every season of life.
As Alisa and Natasha conclude in their podcast, real freedom isn’t found in following our own hearts—it’s found in following Christ, who alone has the words of eternal life (John 6:68).
This content has been created with the assistance of an AI language model and is intended to provide general information. While the content has been reviewed by a staff member, it may not always reflect the latest developments or expert opinions. The content should not be considered as professional or personalized advice. We encourage you to seek professional guidance, preferably from one of our licensed counselors to verify the information independently before making decisions based on this content. The Word of God is always true. While we strive for accuracy in our posts, we are not infallible.