It Is Written
Three simple words—It is written—carry extraordinary authority in Scripture. They are not a slogan, a religious habit, or a dramatic phrase. They are a spiritual declaration of finality. When something is written by God, it is settled beyond argument, circumstance, emotion, or opposition. To say It is written is to appeal to divine authority over human experience.
The power of It is written is revealed most clearly in the life of Jesus. In Matthew 4, when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, Satan did not approach Him with obvious lies. He used pressure, timing, and even Scripture—twisted and misapplied. Yet Jesus responded to every temptation the same way: “It is written.” He did not argue. He did not explain Himself. He did not reason with the devil. He stood on what God had already spoken.
This teaches us a crucial truth: spiritual victory is not achieved by new revelations, but by correct alignment with established truth.
When Jesus said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4), He was declaring that divine word outranks physical need. Hunger was real, but Scripture was higher. This reveals that what is written does not deny reality—it governs it.
The Word of God is written not merely for information, but for authority. Isaiah 55:11 declares that God’s word will not return void, but will accomplish what He pleases. When God speaks, He binds Himself to His word. Heaven stands behind what is written. Psalm 138:2 says God has exalted His word above His name. This means His reputation is attached to His promises.
In Scripture, what is written becomes law. Moses wrote what God spoke, and generations lived under it. Joshua was instructed not to let the Book of the Law depart from his mouth, because success was tied to obedience to what was written (Joshua 1:8). Written truth governs outcomes.
This is why the enemy constantly attacks Scripture—not only by denying it, but by diluting confidence in it. In Genesis 3, Satan did not begin with rebellion; he began with a question: “Has God indeed said?” The fall began when written truth was doubted. When God’s word loses authority, confusion gains ground.
The believer’s defense is the same today as it was for Jesus: It is written.
Hebrews 4:12 tells us the Word of God is living, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword. A sword is not decorative; it is functional. The Word is both defensive and offensive. It exposes lies, discerns motives, and cuts through deception. But a sword unused offers no protection. What is written must be known, believed, and spoken.
Paul reinforces this in Ephesians 6 when he calls the Word of God the sword of the Spirit. Every other piece of armor is defensive, but the Word engages the enemy directly. This explains why believers who do not know Scripture often feel spiritually vulnerable. Ignorance does not cancel God’s power—but it limits our ability to enforce it.
It is written also anchors faith during uncertainty. When circumstances contradict promises, faith does not cling to feelings; it clings to Scripture. Abraham believed God against natural evidence because God had spoken. Romans 4:21 says he was fully convinced that what God promised, He was able to perform. The written promise became Abraham’s reality before Isaac became visible.
The Psalms repeatedly appeal to what God has written. David often prayed, “According to Your word.” He understood that God’s written promises provide legal ground for prayer. Prayer without Scripture becomes emotional pleading; prayer grounded in Scripture becomes appeal to covenant.
Jesus Himself said in John 10:35, “The Scripture cannot be broken.” This is an absolute statement. Culture may shift. Systems may change. Opinions may evolve. But Scripture remains intact. What God has written stands when everything else fails.
This is why believers must return to Scripture in times of confusion. When voices multiply, truth clarifies. When emotions overwhelm, Scripture stabilizes. Psalm 119:105 says the Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. It does not illuminate everything at once—but it gives enough light to take the next step.
It is written also defines identity. When lies attack worth, Scripture speaks truth. When condemnation rises, Romans 8:1 answers. When fear speaks, Isaiah 41:10 responds. When weakness is exposed, 2 Corinthians 12:9 declares grace sufficient. Identity is not discovered inwardly—it is revealed scripturally.
In an age of opinion-driven faith, It is written restores authority. Christianity does not stand on trends, emotions, or charisma. It stands on the Word. Jesus said heaven and earth would pass away, but His words would never pass away (Matthew 24:35). This makes Scripture eternal, reliable, and unshakeable.
To live by It is written is to submit life to God’s truth above personal preference. It means allowing Scripture to correct, guide, rebuke, and affirm. It means trusting God’s word even when obedience costs comfort.
The greatest deception is not rejecting Scripture outright—it is knowing it without trusting it. James warns against hearing the Word without doing it. Written truth must become lived truth.
When temptation comes, say It is written.
When fear rises, say It is written.
When delay tests patience, say It is written.
When identity is attacked, say It is written.
Because what God has written
is stronger than what you feel,
truer than what you see,
and higher than what opposes you.
It is written—
and that settles it.
