Contending for the Word Q&A

Christians still face temptation, suffering, and spiritual opposition, but the outcome of the battle is not uncertain. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has secured victory over sin, death, and the enemy. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how Christ's finished work enables believers to reject fear, stand firm in the gospel, and live with confidence in Christ alone. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

What does victory in Christ mean for believers today? Through His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has defeated sin, death, and the powers of darkness. The enemy remains active, but the outcome of the battle is no longer uncertain. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why Christians do not fight to earn victory. Instead, they stand firm in the victory Christ has already secured through His finished work. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Christians are called to stand firm in the midst of spiritual battle, but what does that look like in everyday life? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins considers Ephesians 6:13 and James 4:7 to explain how believers stand firm by submitting to God, resisting the enemy, remaining grounded in biblical truth, and pursuing consistency in their walk with Christ. Standing firm is not about dramatic spiritual experiences or relying on our own strength. It is a daily posture of choosing truth over lies, trust over fear, and faithfulness over compromise. God has not left His people without direction for spiritual battle. Christians resist the enemy by remaining under God's authority and steadfast in the truth of His Word. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Spiritual warfare is real, but God has not left His people unprepared. In Ephesians 6:13–17, Scripture describes the armor of God: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains that the armor of God is not a mystical formula or physical protection. It describes God's provision for His people to remain grounded in biblical truth and stand firm against temptation, discouragement, deception, and spiritual opposition. Christians are not called to chase the enemy or fight in their own strength. They are called to stand firm in what God has provided through His Word and grace. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Jesus Christ delivers sinners from deception, fear, and bondage through the saving power of the gospel. Doreen Virtue explains why the message that "Jesus loves you" or "Jesus died for your sins" must be understood within the Bible's teaching about sin, judgment, repentance, and reconciliation with God. Humanity's relationship with its Creator was broken through sin, and no human effort can restore it. Jesus lived a completely sinless life, bore the wrath sinners deserve on the cross, physically rose from the dead, and ascended to the right hand of the Father. Everyone who recognizes their sin, repents, and trusts in Christ is forgiven, reconciled to God, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit then sanctifies believers and produces His fruit in their lives. Through the gospel, Christ rescues His people from the deception of self-sufficiency and the bondage of attempting to live without God. This episode also encourages those unfamiliar with Scripture to begin reading the Gospel of John slowly and prayerfully. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Satan is real, but he is not equal with God. He is neither all-powerful nor sovereign. Scripture presents him as a created and limited adversary who opposes God, attacks the truth, and works primarily through deception. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins considers what the Bible teaches about Satan and his schemes. Drawing from John 8:44 and 2 Corinthians 11:14, Dave explains Satan's character as a liar, his use of deception, and why Scripture warns that he can disguise himself as an angel of light. Christians should neither ignore Satan nor exaggerate his power. Instead, believers are called to remain alert, exercise biblical discernment, and stay firmly grounded in the truth of God's Word. Satan is real, but he is limited. God alone is sovereign, and Christians can face spiritual warfare with clarity rather than fear because Christ and His grace are sufficient. For more episodes of Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Spiritual warfare is real, but Christians are not called to live in fear or become consumed with speculation about the demonic. Scripture calls believers to be sober-minded, watchful, and firmly grounded in the truth of God's Word. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins examines what Scripture teaches about spiritual warfare. He explains why the Christian battle is not against flesh and blood, how the enemy works through deception and distortion of truth, and why biblical discernment is essential. Christians should neither ignore spiritual warfare nor see demonic activity behind everything. Instead, believers must recognize the reality of the spiritual battle while standing firm in Christ and trusting the sufficiency of Scripture. God has not left His people unprepared. He has given us His Word, and His Word is truth. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Suffering can make Christians feel alone and distant from God, but Scripture reminds us that our feelings are not the final authority. Psalm 34:18 declares, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." In this weekend reflection from Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why God's nearness does not depend on our circumstances or emotions. God does not merely meet His people after their trials. He is present with them in the middle of pain, confusion, and waiting. Through Psalm 34:18, 2 Corinthians 1:20, and the person and work of Jesus Christ, listeners are encouraged to rest in the unchanging character and promises of God. Suffering is real, but so is God's presence. Even when His nearness is difficult to feel, He remains faithful to His people. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Prayer can feel difficult during seasons of pain, confusion, and emotional heaviness. Christians may know they need to pray while still struggling to find the words. Romans 8:26 teaches that the Holy Spirit helps believers in their weakness, even when they do not know what to pray. Psalm 62:8 calls God's people to trust Him at all times and pour out their hearts before Him. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains that prayer is not about having perfect words or pretending everything is fine. Christians can come honestly before God, trust that He hears them, and depend upon His help because they approach Him through the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

Pain can make it seem as though God is distant, silent, or absent. Yet Scripture assures Christians that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and that He will never leave or forsake His people. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why believers must anchor themselves in God's promises rather than allowing painful circumstances or overwhelming emotions to define what is true. God's presence does not depend upon whether we can feel it. He remains near, faithful, and actively at work in the lives of His people. Christians can honestly acknowledge their pain while continuing to seek the Lord, trust His Word, and walk by faith rather than sight. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/