Contending for the Word Q&A

Theological drift is often subtle, slow, and spiritually dangerous. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how theological drift begins, what warning signs to watch for, and how Scripture calls believers to respond. From minimizing Scripture to redefining doctrine and yielding to cultural pressure, this episode calls Christians back to biblical faithfulness and caref...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why false teaching appeals to the human heart and why it spreads so easily. Drawing from 2 Timothy 4:3–4 and 2 Peter 2:18–19, Dave shows how deception often connects with sinful desires, personal fears, and misplaced hopes. False teaching rarely spreads because it sounds obviously wrong. Instead, it gains traction because it spe...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how Scripture calls believers to hold truth and love together when practicing biblical discernment. Drawing from Ephesians 4:15, Galatians 6:1, and Colossians 4:6, this episode provides a biblical framework for correcting error with humility, gentleness, courage, and grace while speaking the truth in love. For more episodes of C...

Scripture commands believers to "test everything; hold fast what is good" (1 Thessalonians 5:21–22). In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains what it means to evaluate every teaching, claim, and spiritual experience by the authority of God's Word. In a world filled with competing voices, biblical discernment is essential. Christians are not called to accept ideas uncri...

How does spiritual deception usually begin? Most believers do not drift from the truth overnight. Deception rarely begins loudly—it often starts quietly through neglect of God's Word, unchecked desires, subtle distortions of truth, and untested influences. Key Texts: Genesis 3:1–6; James 1:14–16; Galatians 1:6 In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains the earliest warni...

Why does spiritual maturity strengthen discernment? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains from Ephesians 4:14–15, Colossians 1:9–10, and Hebrews 5:14 how spiritual maturity produces stability, sound judgment, obedience, and Christlike love. As believers grow in Christ through God's Word, their ability to discern truth from error deepens and their lives become anchor...

What role does the Holy Spirit play in biblical discernment? How do Christians recognize truth, reject error, and walk wisely in a spiritually confused world? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains that discernment is not merely intellectual—it is spiritual. True discernment comes through the illuminating, convicting, and guarding work of the Holy Spirit as He applie...

How does Scripture train believers to recognize truth and reject error? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how God's Word reveals truth, exposes deception, renews the mind, and equips Christians to walk in wisdom and biblical discernment according to 2 Timothy 3:16–17. Learn how Scripture shapes Christian thinking, strengthens conviction, and helps believers stan...

What is biblical discernment, and why is it essential for every Christian today? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains what Scripture teaches about biblical discernment and how believers are called to test everything by the Word of God. Anchored in Hebrews 5:14 and 1 Thessalonians 5:21, this episode shows that discernment is not suspicion or harsh criticism, but Wor...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins answers a vital question for Christian families: what does it mean to build a God-centered home? Many homes today are shaped by schedules, comfort, achievement, or cultural expectations. Scripture, however, calls believers to build their homes on a far stronger and lasting foundation. Anchored in Joshua 24:15, this episode explains that...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins answers a vital question facing every Christian home: How does the hope of Christ strengthen families? Drawing from Romans 15:13, this message explains that biblical hope is not optimism or positive thinking, but confident assurance rooted in Jesus Christ—crucified, risen, reigning, and faithful in every season of life. You'll learn how...

Scripture gives a clear and loving warning against magic, spells, charms, and occult practices. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Doreen Virtue explains why the Bible consistently condemns sorcery, divination, and New Age practices—not as cultural preferences, but as acts that dishonor God and lead to spiritual deception and bondage. Drawing from Deuteronomy 18:9–14, Acts 19:18–19, a...

Wicca and witchcraft are increasingly presented as harmless, empowering, and even healing—especially through social media, pop culture, and so-called "self-care" spirituality. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Doreen Virtue explains how occult practices disguise spiritual rebellion as freedom, enlightenment, and empowerment. You'll learn: • How Wicca and witchcraft are normalized and...

The Bible repeatedly calls believers to guard their hearts—but what does that command actually mean? And how do we obey it in everyday Christian life? In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins examines Proverbs 4:23 and explains why the heart is the control center of the Christian life. Scripture teaches that what shapes the heart shapes our thoughts, desires, priorities, and ob...

Every Christian faces temptation, but temptation itself is not sin. Even Jesus was tempted, yet He responded every time with the Word of God. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how believers can fight temptation biblically and practically by using Scripture as their primary weapon. Drawing from Psalm 119:11 and Jesus' example in the wilderness, this episode shows...

Temptation is no longer distant or occasional. In a digital world filled with constant access, private screens, and endless distractions, Christians face unique challenges in pursuing holiness. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how believers can pursue purity in a digital world by grounding their lives in Scripture and walking in the grace of Christ. Anchored in...

Family life today is often busy, scattered, and stretched thin. Sports schedules, activities, and cultural pressures compete for our time and attention. In the middle of that pressure, the local church can slowly become optional. But Scripture presents the church very differently. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins answers the question: Why must Christian families not mer...

One of the greatest blessings and responsibilities God gives Christian families is the call to remain rooted in His Word. Yet in the busyness of daily life, Scripture can easily become something we visit occasionally rather than the foundation of the home. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how families can keep God's Word at the center of daily life through simp...

One of the most important truths Christians must understand when engaging New Age beliefs is the biblical distinction between the Creator and His creation. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Doreen examines why Scripture repeatedly condemns the worship of created things rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25). Practices common in the New Age, such as crystal healing, astrology, pantheis...

The book of Proverbs is one of God's most practical gifts to parents. Written as a father's instruction to his son and inspired by the Holy Spirit, Proverbs offers timeless wisdom for shaping a child's heart, forming godly character, and guiding children toward the fear of the Lord. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains what Proverbs teaches about biblical parenting...

The gospel is not only the foundation of our salvation — it is the power that transforms every part of the Christian life, including the home. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains how the gospel shapes family life by forming hearts of forgiveness, cultivating humility, producing sacrificial love, restoring broken relationships, and placing Christ at the very center...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins presents a biblical vision for Christian parenting rooted in Ephesians 6:4. Scripture calls parents to bring their children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Parents are not merely managing behavior — they are shaping hearts with the gospel, forming character through the Word of God, guiding behavior with loving disciplin...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins addresses one of the most important callings God has given to Christian parents: discipling their children according to the Word of God. Drawing from Deuteronomy 6:6–7, Dave explains that biblical discipleship does not begin in the teenage years, nor is it outsourced to the church, school, or culture. Parents are God's primary instrument...

New Age concepts such as manifestation, energy, vibration, and the law of attraction are increasingly being blended with Christian language—but they stand in direct opposition to the teaching of Scripture. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Doreen Virtue explains why manifestation theology shifts trust away from God and places it in human will, mystical techniques, and spiritual formu...

In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Samuel Farag examines biblical salvation and how it relates to the doctrine and teaching of the Eastern Orthodox Church. He explains what Scripture teaches about salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, walking through key passages on justification, regeneration, and the new birth. This episode contrasts the biblical doctrine of...