Contending for the Word

Cultural controversies change constantly, but the worldview beneath them remains the same: humanity's rejection of God's authority to define reality. In this Weekly Watch episode, Dave Jenkins explains how Romans 1 equips Christians to recognize the lies beneath modern debates about identity, sexuality, human dignity, freedom, technology, justice, and truth. Christians are called to resist compromise and cruelty, renew their minds through God's Word, speak truth in love, and rest in the reign of Christ. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins explains Romans 12:1–2 and the biblical necessity of a renewed mind. In a culture filled with competing voices, false teaching, emotionalism, and worldly philosophies, believers are called not to be conformed to this age but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds through God's Word. Dave considers the relationship between doctrine and godliness, the role of the local church in spiritual maturity, and the sufficiency of Scripture to guard Christians from deception and conform them to Christ. For more from Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Dave Jenkins examines the danger of allowing feelings, private impressions, mystical encounters, or emotional intensity to function as spiritual authority. Christians are called to test every claim by the sufficient and final authority of God's Word. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins explains why personal experience, feelings, impressions, and claims of private revelation must never rival the authority of Scripture. Christians are called to test every experience by God's sufficient, clear, and unchanging Word, resting their confidence in Christ and His promises rather than fluctuating emotions. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

In this Weekly Watch episode, Dave Jenkins examines four trends shaping a post-truth culture: personal experience as authority, technology as a source of salvation, spirituality without biblical truth, and biblical vocabulary detached from biblical meaning. Christians are called neither to fear nor obsession, but to watchfulness rooted in the sufficient Word of God. This episode equips believers to test every claim, discern the worldview beneath cultural trends, and remain firmly anchored in Jesus Christ. For more from Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins begins the Truth in a Post-Truth Culture series by examining postmodernism and its rejection of objective truth. As culture increasingly treats truth as personal, subjective, and shaped by experience, Christians must be anchored in what God has revealed. Scripture teaches that truth is grounded in the unchanging character of God, revealed in His Word, and ultimately found in Jesus Christ. This episode explains why postmodernism matters, how it has influenced the church, what is at stake for the gospel and sound doctrine, and how believers can stand with humility, conviction, and love upon the sufficient Word of God. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

In this August series wrap-up, Dave Jenkins examines the common thread behind counterfeit spirituality, prophetic culture, prosperity theology, emotionalism, and other deceptive movements: a shift away from the authority and sufficiency of God's Word. Christians do not need new revelations, spiritual trends, or captivating personalities. In Christ, believers have everything necessary for life and godliness. This episode calls listeners to test every teaching by Scripture, grow in biblical literacy, and stand firm in the truth as the church ministers in a post-truth culture. For more from Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Does God promise the church a supernatural wealth transfer or economic dominion over society? In this episode, Dave Jenkins examines the Business Mountain of the Seven Mountain Mandate, including marketplace apostles, prosperity theology, Word of Faith teaching, and claims that Christians must finance the kingdom through marketplace influence. Scripture calls Christians to faithful work, wise stewardship, generosity, contentment, and trust in God's providence. The mission of the church is not marketplace conquest, but the proclamation of Christ and the making of disciples. For more from Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Our culture tells us to trust our hearts, follow our feelings, and live our truth. Scripture gives Christians a better foundation. God created emotions as gifts, but emotions were never intended to function as our authority. In this episode of the Weekly Watch, Dave Jenkins explains why feelings are real but not always reliable, why spiritual experiences must be tested by Scripture, and how Christians can submit their emotions to the unchanging truth of God's Word. Feelings change, but Jesus Christ and His Word remain unchanged. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

The New Apostolic Reformation promotes modern apostles, continuing prophetic revelation, dominion theology, strategic-level spiritual warfare, and revival movements centered on extraordinary experiences. These teachings raise a foundational issue for every Christian: who possesses authority in the church? In this episode, Dave Jenkins examines the central teachings of the New Apostolic Reformation and contrasts modern apostolic and prophetic claims with the sufficient and authoritative Word of God. He also explains how genuine revival is marked by repentance, holiness, love for Christ, obedience, and renewed commitment to biblical truth. The church does not need celebrity apostles, new revelation, or counterfeit revival. It needs Christ, faithful preaching, sound doctrine, biblical local churches, and confidence in the Word God has already given. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Most false teaching does not begin with an outright rejection of biblical truth. It begins with distortion: a verse removed from context, one doctrine emphasized at the expense of another, or biblical language subtly redefined. In this episode of the Weekly Watch, Dave Jenkins explains why half-truths can be more dangerous than obvious lies and why biblical discernment is essential for every Christian. Beginning with Genesis 3, Dave examines how the serpent distorted God's Word and character by mixing truth with error. He then considers common modern half-truths, the danger of confirmation bias, the importance of biblical context, and Paul's commitment to proclaiming the whole counsel of God. Christians do not need to become experts in every false teaching. They need to know Christ and His Word. The deeper believers grow in Scripture, sound doctrine, and biblical theology, the better equipped they become to recognize truth that has been twisted or taken out of balance. Learn to test teaching according to Scripture, recognize biblical language being used in unbiblical ways, and remain grounded in the whole counsel of God. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Christian influencer culture has given individual voices extraordinary reach, but visibility is not the same as biblical faithfulness. At the same time, many Christians increasingly treat emotions, personal impressions, and phrases such as "God told me" or "the Lord showed me" as sources of spiritual authority. In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins examines why influence, feelings, and subjective experiences must never replace the authority of Scripture. He explains why Christians should test every teacher and spiritual claim by the Word of God, remain accountable within the local church, and cultivate discernment through Scripture, sound doctrine, prayer, and faithful Christian living. Feelings change. Influencers come and go. Human authorities are fallible. But God's Word remains. Christians find lasting stability not in personalities or experiences, but in Jesus Christ as revealed in the sufficient and authoritative Word of God. For more from Contending for the Word please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Christians have access to more biblical teaching than ever before, but they are also surrounded by countless competing voices. Podcasts, videos, social media posts, livestreams, and online ministries can spread biblical truth, but they can also spread serious error with remarkable speed. In this episode of the Weekly Watch, Dave Jenkins explains why false teaching spreads so quickly in the digital age. He addresses sensational claims, personality-driven ministries, engagement-focused algorithms, short-form content, and the danger of allowing online teachers to replace meaningful involvement in a healthy local church. Digital resources can supplement the ministry of the local church, but they cannot replace the shepherding, accountability, fellowship, and care Christ has established within the local congregation. Following the example of the Bereans in Acts 17:11, Christians must test every teacher, ministry, and message by the Word of God. Popularity does not prove faithfulness, viral does not mean biblical, and views do not determine truth. Scripture remains sufficient, the gospel remains powerful, and Christ remains King. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Personal experiences can be powerful, emotional, and convincing, but they are not infallible. Only the Word of God is. In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins examines what happens when personal experiences, spiritual impressions, prophecy claims, and supposed fresh revelation begin carrying more authority than Scripture. Dave distinguishes genuine Christian experience from experience-centered Christianity and explains how doctrinal drift develops when believers interpret Scripture through their experiences rather than evaluating their experiences through Scripture. The episode also considers modern prophecy culture, charismatic drift, the attraction of extraordinary spiritual experiences, and the stability God provides through His Word, prayer, the local church, biblical discipleship, and the ordinary means of grace. The church does not need more spiritual novelty or speculation. Christians need to know God's Word, love His truth, remain committed to the local church, and rest in the sufficiency of Jesus Christ. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

The serpent's strategy has not changed. He still questions God's Word, distorts God's character, offers secret knowledge, and encourages people to elevate themselves above the Lord. In this episode of the Contending for the Word Weekly Watch, Dave Jenkins examines Genesis 3 and explains how the first temptation provides a blueprint for modern spiritual deception. Counterfeit spirituality, false prophecy, prosperity theology, mystical experiences, deliverance errors, and doctrinal drift ultimately challenge the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. Christians do not need hidden revelation or secret knowledge. They need the sufficient Word of God. Biblical discernment requires testing every claim by Scripture, growing in the knowledge of Christ, and remaining grounded in a faithful local church. The oldest lie still deceives, but God's truth still stands. For more from Contending for the Word please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Truth is increasingly being redefined around personal identity, experience, and cultural approval. Christians therefore face growing pressure to remain silent, adjust their convictions, or compromise the teaching of Scripture. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains why Christians are called to stand firm in the truth of God's Word even when the culture rejects it. He examines the cost of following Christ, the subtle pressure to conform, the relationship between biblical conviction and Christian courage, and the endurance believers need for lifelong faithfulness. Christians do not stand in their own strength. God sustains His people through His Word, His Spirit, His grace, and the fellowship of the local church. By fixing their eyes on Jesus, believers can remain steady because Christ is faithful and worth more than anything the world can take away. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Eastern Orthodoxy appeals to many evangelicals because of its claims to ancient Christianity, historic continuity, liturgical beauty, and authoritative tradition. Yet its claims raise a fundamental question: When Scripture and tradition conflict, which one has the final word? Dave Jenkins is joined by Samuel Farag, author of Eastern Orthodoxy Through the Lens of Sola Scriptura, to examine the beliefs and theological structure of Eastern Orthodoxy according to the Word of God. They discuss the Orthodox understanding of Holy Tradition, the authority claimed for the church and ecumenical councils, icon veneration, teachings concerning Mary, monasticism, salvation, and the sufficiency of Scripture. They also explain why Christians should study church history while keeping every tradition, confession, and council subordinate to the final authority of God's Word. The episode concludes with practical encouragement for Christians speaking with friends and family members who are exploring Eastern Orthodoxy. Believers must define theological terms carefully, understand what the Orthodox Church officially teaches, remain prayerful, and proclaim the biblical gospel with clarity and compassion. For more from Contending for the Word please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Not everything that sounds spiritual comes from God. Spiritual language, emotional sincerity, personal experience, and cultural popularity are not sufficient tests of truth. Christians are commanded in 1 John 4:1 not to believe every spirit, but to test the spirits according to the written Word of God. In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins explains how Christians can grow in biblical discernment in a culture that increasingly treats truth as personal and flexible. He considers Scripture as the final standard, the biblical truth about Jesus Christ as an essential doctrinal test, and the importance of developing discernment through regular Bible reading, sound preaching, and faithful participation in the local church. Biblical discernment is not merely the ability to identify false teachers. It is the Spirit-enabled maturity to understand, handle, and apply God's Word accurately. As Christians become increasingly grounded in Scripture, they are better prepared to recognize deception, help those trapped in error, and stand firm when the culture around them shifts. For more from Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Angel numbers and recurring numerical patterns are often presented as messages from angels, God, or the universe. Their growing popularity has carried these New Age beliefs into social media, popular culture, and even some professing Christian circles. In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins speaks with Doreen Virtue about the New Age origins and spiritual dangers of angel numbers. Doreen explains how she coined and popularized the phrase during her former New Age career and how the supposed meanings were received through meditation, altered states, and automatic writing. Dave and Doreen examine why angel numbers are a form of divination, why biblical numbers should never be turned into personal revelation, and how mystical signs can draw people away from the sufficient Word of God. They also discuss counterfeit revelation, spiritual downloads, biblical decision-making, spiritual discernment, and how Christians can lovingly help friends and family involved in New Age spirituality. God's people do not need hidden messages or secret revelations. God has spoken clearly and sufficiently in Scripture, which equips believers to test spiritual claims, resist deception, and remain grounded in Jesus Christ. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

The Bible does not merely give Christians isolated truths. Scripture gives us the true story of reality: creation, fall, redemption, and consummation. In this Weekly Watch episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins explains how this biblical storyline shapes the Christian worldview and helps believers think clearly in a confused age. This episode considers why reality begins with God, why the world is broken because of sin, why redemption comes through Christ alone, and why Christians can live with stability and hope as they await the return of Christ. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/