Contending for the Word

In this Weekly Watch episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins examines subtle patterns reshaping biblical discernment in today's church. Rather than focusing on personalities or controversies, this episode explores language drift, cultural pressure, and discernment fatigue among believers. Scripture calls Christians not to panic but to return to biblical clarity, faithful obedience, and confidence in Christ, who is building His church. For more from Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

The church rarely loses discernment through sudden rebellion or open denial of Scripture. More often, it happens slowly, quietly, and relationally, through softened language, subtle authority shifts, and "almost right" teaching that sounds pastoral and wise. In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins explains how theological drift takes root, why it often goes unnoticed, and how ordinary believers are affected long before doctrinal collapse becomes obvious. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why discernment is usually lost incrementally, not explosively. • How relationships and trust can replace biblical testing. • What happens when Scripture is affirmed but no longer functions as final authority. • Why "almost right" teaching is more dangerous than obvious error. • How drift produces confusion, anxiety, and exhaustion among believers. • How Christians can remain anchored in Christ without becoming cynical or fearful. Key passages include Hebrews 2:1, Acts 20:29–30, 1 John 4:1, Acts 17, and Romans 8. This episode is not reactionary or alarmist. It is a call to steady faithfulness rooted in the sufficiency, clarity, and authority of God's Word. For more from Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Deception in the church rarely appears as something obviously false. More often, it sounds spiritual, borrows biblical language, and appeals to real spiritual longings—while subtly shifting authority away from Scripture. In this episode of Weekly Watch, part of the Contending for the Word podcast, Dave Jenkins offers a closing reflection on February's series, Testing the Spirits: Exposing Counterfeits and Standing on the Truth. Rather than revisiting previous episodes, this message identifies recurring patterns found in counterfeit movements and false teaching within the church. In this episode, Dave discusses: • Why deception is often persuasive rather than blatant. • Warning signs when experience begins to outrank Scripture. • How authority subtly shifts from God's Word to individuals. • Why Scripture repeatedly commands believers to test and discern. • How God's Word provides clarity, confidence, and peace for Christians today. Biblical discernment is not about fear or suspicion, it is about faithfulness to God as He has revealed Himself in His Word. For more episodes of Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins and Dawn Hill provide a careful, biblical response to recent abuse allegations connected to figures within the prophetic and New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement. This is not reactionary commentary or sensational reporting. It is a pastoral and theological examination of authority, accountability, and leadership in light of Scripture. In this discussion, we address: • The difference between allegations, institutional responses, and theological systems. • How prophetic authority is framed within NAR contexts. • Why certain authority structures increase the risk of abuse. • The biblical qualifications for church leadership (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1). • The necessity of plurality of elders, church discipline, and real accountability. • What genuine repentance and restoration should look like biblically. The New Testament warns not only about false teachers, but about destructive systems and authority patterns that place leaders beyond meaningful correction. Our aim is to help believers think clearly, process carefully, and remain anchored in Christ and His Word. If you have been hurt or destabilized by these movements, we pray this episode encourages you toward a healthy, gospel-centered local church where leadership is qualified, accountable, and shepherding in nature. For more from Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

How does God speak today—and how can Christians discern His voice with clarity and confidence? In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins addresses one of the most pressing questions in modern Christianity: the relationship between Scripture, the Holy Spirit, and contemporary prophecy claims. As "God told me" language becomes increasingly common, many believers feel pressure, fear, and confusion about hearing God's voice and obeying His will. In this episode, you'll learn: • How God has spoken decisively and sufficiently in His Word (Hebrews 1:1–2). • The Holy Spirit's role in illumination—not ongoing revelation. • Why modern prophecy culture often undermines biblical authority. • How to biblically test spiritual claims (1 John 4:1; 1 Thess. 5:19–21). • How prophecy culture connects to dominion theology and the Seven Mountain Mandate. • Practical guardrails that protect peace, clarity, and faithful obedience. Discernment is not fear or suspicion it is confidence rooted in the sufficiency and clarity of God's Word. For more episodes of Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

In this episode of The Weekly Watch, part of the Contending for the Word podcast, Dave Jenkins examines how counterfeit movements gain traction inside the church, and why biblical vigilance is not optional for Christians today. False movements rarely begin with outright heresy. Instead, they often arise from legitimate concerns: cultural decay, a desire for revival, frustration with shallow Christianity, or a hunger for spiritual depth. Over time, biblical themes are exaggerated, isolated, or detached from the full counsel of God's Word, eventually replacing the gospel rather than serving it. Drawing from passages such as 2 Corinthians 11, Jude 3, 1 John 4:1, Matthew 24, and Acts 20, this episode explores: • How counterfeit movements disguise themselves as truth. • Why fear, simplicity, and unaccountable authority fuel their growth. • How false teaching subtly shifts the mission of the church. • What faithful vigilance looks like without paranoia or cynicism. Scripture calls believers not to panic, but to be watchful to test every teaching, remain rooted in the local church, and submit all authority to Christ as revealed in His Word. Vigilance is not fear. It is faithfulness. For more episodes of Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins examines the Seven Mountain Mandate by tracing its historical development, commonly claimed origins, and its shift from cultural engagement into a theology of dominion and control. This is not a political discussion, but a biblical and theological one. Scripture calls Christians to test the spirits (1 John 4:1), remain anchored in the sufficiency of God's Word, and guard the mission Christ entrusted to His church. In this episode, we explore: • How Christians have historically engaged culture without seeking dominion. • The frequently cited 1975 origin story and how it has been reshaped over time. • The influence of modern teachers who frame cultural control as a spiritual mandate. • Why the Seven Mountain Mandate distorts the Great Commission. • How believers can pursue faithful witness without confusing influence with control. Christ does not need the church to seize power in order to reign. Christ reigns now. The church is called to discipleship, proclamation, humility, and faithfulness to the Word of God. Key Scriptures: 1 John 4:1 • Matthew 28:18–20 • John 18:36 • Matthew 20:25–28 • 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 • Romans 1:16 For more episodes of Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

In this episode of The Weekly Watch, part of the Contending for the Word podcast, Dave Jenkins examines the rise of counterfeit spirituality, false revival language, and experience-driven teachings that subtly shift authority away from Scripture. Instead of reacting with speculation or outrage, this episode calls believers to biblical discernment grounded in the sufficiency, clarity, and authority of God's Word. True spiritual depth is not found in emotional momentum or inward experience, but in faithfulness to Christ as He is revealed in Scripture. You'll be encouraged to test all things, hold fast to what is good, and stay anchored in the Word of God in an age of confusion and deception. For more episodes of Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

In this Contending for the Word Q&A episode, Dave Jenkins is joined by Marcia Montenegro to examine contemplative spirituality and why Scripture commands believers to test the spirits rather than adopt man-made methods of spiritual growth. Contemplative spirituality is often presented as a deeper or more authentic Christian life, yet it is rooted in experience-driven practices that can introduce doctrinal error and subtly undermine the authority and sufficiency of Scripture. In this episode, Dave and Marcia address listener questions and explain why contemplative spirituality is not a neutral practice, but a spiritually harmful approach tied to unbiblical theology. This episode addresses: • What contemplative spirituality teaches and why it appeals to Christians. • How unbiblical approaches to spiritual growth distort sound doctrine. • The difference between biblical meditation and mystical practices. • Why experience must never replace Scripture as the final authority. • How Christians can respond with biblical discernment, clarity, and love. This Q&A is designed to help believers remain anchored in God's Word and stand firm against spiritual error in the church. For more from Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/ To view the full series on contemplative spirituality, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contemplative-spirituality-biblical-discernment/

The church today is surrounded by spiritual noise, theological confusion, and growing authority drift. In this episode of The Weekly Watch on Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins explains why biblical discernment is not optional for Christians living in a confusing age. Drawing from Scripture, this message addresses the rebranding of false movements such as the New Apostolic Reformation, the rise of counterfeit spirituality that elevates experience over God's Word, and the growing tendency to treat doctrine as mere personal opinion. It also explains why biblical correction is often labeled unloving, and why Scripture teaches otherwise. Discernment is not fear-driven or reactionary. It is obedience to God. The Bible commands believers to test the spirits, examine teaching, and guard the gospel for the good of the church and the protection of vulnerable believers. This episode offers both warning and encouragement, calling Christians to remain anchored in Christ, His Word, the local church, and the means of grace. For more from Contending for the Word: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/