Contending for the Word Q&A

Many today claim there is such a thing as "white magic" or benevolent witchcraft. They argue that certain spiritual practices are harmless, helpful, or even compatible with Christianity. But Scripture never makes a distinction between "good" and "bad" forms of witchcraft. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Doreen Virtue answers the question: Why is so-called white magic or benevolent witchcraft just as spiritually dangerous as overt forms of witchcraft? Drawing from her testimony as a former New Age teacher and grounding her answer in Scripture, Doreen explains why all forms of witchcraft are condemned by God, why occult practices cannot be redeemed or rebranded, and why Christians must exercise biblical discernment in a culture that increasingly normalizes spiritual deception. This episode addresses: • Why the Bible never presents a "good" form of witchcraft • How Deuteronomy 18 condemns occult practices • Why 1 Corinthians 8–10 does not justify redeeming pagan practices • The danger of the idea of "Christian witches" • Why Jesus never used spells, rituals, or spiritual techniques • How pop culture normalizes the idea of "good witches" • A call to trust Christ instead of attempting to control outcomes through spiritual methods There is no harmless magic. There is no redeemable witchcraft. There is only Christ, who is sufficient. For more episodes of Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Trials are part of the Christian life, but they are not meaningless. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how believers should respond to suffering according to Scripture. Drawing from James 1, 1 Peter 1, and Romans 5, this message shows how God uses hardship to strengthen faith, produce endurance, and grow His people in hope. Christians are called to trust God in suffering, endure faithfully, and rest in His refining purposes even in difficult seasons. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Thankfulness in the Christian life is not meant to be occasional. It is meant to be continual. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how gratitude is a steady posture of the heart rooted in the grace of God. Drawing from Colossians 2:6–7 and Psalm 92, this episode shows why thankfulness is evidence of spiritual health, how it guards against entitlement, and how it anchors believers in God's character rather than changing circumstances. For more episodes of Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how Christians can learn true contentment in Christ in a restless and dissatisfied age. Contentment is not natural—it is learned through trust, hardship, and dependence on Christ. Drawing from Philippians 4:11–13, Hebrews 13:5, and Psalm 73:25–26, this episode explains how contentment is rooted in Christ's sufficiency, frees believers from comparison, and strengthens endurance in the Christian life. True contentment is not found in having everything—it is found in having Christ. For more episodes of Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

What does Scripture clearly teach about magic, sorcery, divination, and occult practices? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Doreen Virtue answers a listener's question by examining key biblical passages including Deuteronomy 18, Acts 16, Acts 19, and Revelation 21–22. Scripture consistently warns against practices such as divination, necromancy, sorcery, charms, and seeking hidden spiritual power outside of God. This episode explains: • Why God forbids occult practices • How modern New Age spirituality reflects ancient paganism • What the New Testament teaches about spiritual deception • Why repentance involves turning away from occult practices • How true freedom and peace are found only in Jesus Christ The Bible does not point us toward secret wisdom, mystical power, or hidden knowledge. It points us to Christ and the sufficiency of God's Word. For more episodes and biblical resources from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Gratitude is not merely a feeling or personality trait. It is a defining mark of the Christian life. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why Scripture commands thankfulness and how gratitude shapes the believer's perspective, strengthens faith in trials, and fuels obedience and worship. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18, Colossians 3:15–17, and Psalm 103:1–5, this episode shows that gratitude flows from the gospel and anchors the heart in the grace of God. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins addresses the important and deeply personal issue of anger. Scripture does not ignore anger—it speaks to it clearly. While the Bible acknowledges that there is such a thing as righteous anger, it also warns that most human anger does not produce the righteousness of God. Drawing from James 1:19–20, Ephesians 4:26–27, and Proverbs 15:1, this episode explains how believers can respond to anger in a Christlike way—slow, measured, and governed by truth and love. In this episode, listeners will learn how to: • Distinguish between righteous anger and sinful anger • Slow down reactive responses • Address anger before it becomes bitterness • Replace destructive reactions with grace-filled responses Christ is both our model and our help in moments of emotional intensity. For more episodes of Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains the biblical meaning of self-control and how it grows in the Christian life. Drawing from Galatians 5:22–23, Titus 2:11–12, and 1 Corinthians 9:25–27, this episode shows that self-control is not self-generated effort, but the fruit of the Holy Spirit trained by the grace of God. Christians are called not to legalism, but to Spirit-empowered discipline that leads to freedom, holiness, and faithful obedience to Christ. Listeners will be encouraged to pursue godly discipline through dependence on the Holy Spirit, daily obedience to God's Word, and confidence in the grace of God. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Humility is a defining mark of the Christian life, yet it is often misunderstood. Some confuse humility with weakness, while others struggle to understand how it develops in everyday life. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how humility grows through a right view of God, a deep understanding of the gospel, and a life shaped by serving others and depending on the Lord. Drawing from Philippians 2:3–5, James 4:6–10, and 1 Peter 5:6–7, this episode provides biblical clarity and practical direction for cultivating humility in daily life. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why humility begins with God's greatness • How grace produces true humility • Why serving others shapes the Christian heart • How dependence on God deepens spiritual maturity Humility is not thinking less of yourself—it is seeing God rightly and living in light of His grace. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Christian growth is real, but it is often misunderstood. Many believers quietly assume that spiritual maturity comes through pressure, intensity, and constant effort. When growth feels slow, they push harder. When they stumble, they double their resolve. Over time, the Christian life can begin to feel more like spiritual grinding than grace-filled growth. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why Scripture presents a very different picture. Drawing from Matthew 11:28–30, John 15, and 2 Peter 3:18, this episode shows that Jesus calls the weary not to greater pressure, but to rest. Spiritual fruit does not come from striving harder, but from abiding in Christ. In this episode, Dave discusses: • Why spiritual growth is often confused with pressure-driven effort • The difference between biblical effort and self-reliant striving • How abiding in Christ produces real and lasting fruit • Why grace—not grinding—is the foundation of sanctification • How to return to a grace-centered, Christ-dependent walk If your Christian life feels heavy, exhausting, or driven by pressure, this episode will help you recover the biblical pattern of growth rooted in the sufficiency of Christ and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/