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  • How Counterfeit Movements Gain Traction in the Church

    How Counterfeit Movements Gain Traction in the Church
    Feb 21 2026
    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/
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    15 Min.
  • The Seven Mountain Mandate: History, Origins, and a Biblical Assessment

    The Seven Mountain Mandate: History, Origins, and a Biblical Assessment
    Feb 17 2026
    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/
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    1 Std. und 13 Min.
  • Counterfeit Spirituality and False Revival: Why Discernment Still Matters

    Counterfeit Spirituality and False Revival: Why Discernment Still Matters
    Feb 14 2026
    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/
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    12 Min.
  • Testing the Spirits: Contemplative Spirituality Q&A

    Testing the Spirits: Contemplative Spirituality Q&A
    Feb 10 2026
    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/
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    2 Std. und 29 Min.
  • Why Discernment Is Not Optional in a Noisy Church Age

    Why Discernment Is Not Optional in a Noisy Church Age
    Feb 7 2026
    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/
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    12 Min.
  • Why Biblical Theology Matters for Discernment

    Why Biblical Theology Matters for Discernment
    Feb 3 2026
    In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins begins our February focus on testing the spirits, exposing counterfeits, and standing firmly on the truth of God's Word. Many Christians who drift into false teaching do not do so because they reject Scripture, but because they lack a framework for understanding how the Bible fits together as one unified story centered on Christ. This episode explains why biblical theology is essential for true discernment and how it protects believers from fragmented Bible reading, counterfeit spirituality, and subtle gospel distortion. In this episode, you'll learn: • What biblical theology is and why it is not merely academic. • How fragmented Scripture reading weakens discernment. • Why false teaching often sounds biblical while redefining biblical terms. • How biblical theology safeguards the gospel. • Why discernment is about trajectory, not isolated mistakes. • How biblical theology stabilizes the church and produces maturity. Key passages include Luke 24, Nehemiah 8, Galatians 1, Ephesians 4, Colossians 2, and John 17. This episode is not about naming names or generating outrage. It is about helping ordinary Christians see truth clearly, recognize counterfeits, and remain anchored in the Word of God. "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." (John 17:17) For more from Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/
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    46 Min.
  • Discernment Is Not Optional for the Church Today

    Discernment Is Not Optional for the Church Today
    Jan 31 2026
    Discernment is not a niche concern. It is not reserved for pastors, theologians, or discernment ministries. According to Scripture, discernment is a biblical responsibility for every Christian. In this episode of The Weekly Watch, part of the Contending for the Word podcast, Dave Jenkins concludes January's focus on Discerning Truth in a Deceptive Age by stepping back to explain why discernment matters, why it is often resisted, and why Scripture insists on it. This episode addresses: • Why Scripture repeatedly commands believers to test what they hear. • Why discernment is often labeled "unloving" in today's church culture. • How experience, emotion, and popularity can replace biblical evaluation. • How the digital age has made discernment more difficult. • Why online content must never replace the local church. • What biblical discernment actually is—and what it is not. • The spiritual cost of neglecting discernment. • Why discernment protects the gospel, the church, and God's people. Discernment is not about fear. It is about faithfulness to God and obedience to His Word. Contending for the Word exists to serve and strengthen the local church, not replace it. Our aim is to help believers grow in biblical clarity so they can contend for the truth with humility, courage, and grace. Key Scriptures: 1 John 4:1 Acts 17:11 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Philippians 1:9–10 Ephesians 4:15 John 14–17 For more from Contending for the Word, visit Servants of Grace: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/
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    15 Min.
  • Testing the Spirits: Biblical Discernment in a Deceptive Age

    Testing the Spirits: Biblical Discernment in a Deceptive Age
    Jan 27 2026
    Scripture commands believers not to believe every spirit, but to test the spirits to see whether they are from God (1 John 4:1). In an age saturated with sermons, podcasts, social media clips, conferences, and Christian content, biblical discernment is not optional—it is a spiritual responsibility. In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins explains why testing teaching is a command, not a preference. He lays out a clear, Scripture-centered framework for evaluating teaching, examines why discernment has become more difficult in the digital age, and warns of the serious consequences when Christians fail to test what they hear. This episode is not about cynicism, controversy, or naming names. It is about submission to the authority of God's Word, faithfulness to Christ, and love for the church. Discernment is not suspicion—it is obedience shaped by Scripture and humility. Key Scriptures: 1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:15; Matthew 7:15–20; Ephesians 4:14; Galatians 1:6–9; Hebrews 5:14; John 17:17. For more from Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/
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    35 Min.