Contending for the Word

Emotional Truth vs Biblical Truth: Why Feelings Cannot Define Truth

How should Christians respond to a culture that increasingly defines truth by feelings rather than by God's Word? In this episode of The Weekly Watch, Dave Jenkins examines the growing influence of emotional truth, influencer theology, and viral spirituality. He explains why Scripture—not personal experience—must remain the authority for faith and life. Drawing from Colossians 2:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, and Philippians 4:8, this episode encourages believers to test all things by the Word of God and remain grounded in biblical truth in an age of confusion. For more episodes of Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Human Identity and the Image of God in a Confused Age

What does it mean to be human? In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins addresses one of the most pressing questions of our time: human identity. In a culture that increasingly teaches people to define themselves by their feelings, desires, and personal expression, Scripture provides a radically different and stable foundation. Anchored in Genesis 1:26–27, this episode explains that human identity is not something we invent—it is something we receive from the God who created us in His image. Dave walks through the biblical storyline of creation, fall, redemption, and consummation to show how identity is grounded in God's design, distorted by sin, and restored through Jesus Christ. This episode also examines the modern worldview often described as expressive individualism, exposing how self-defined identity leads to confusion, instability, and uncertainty. In contrast, the Word of God provides clarity, purpose, and hope. Listeners will be encouraged to think biblically about identity, rest in their identity in Christ, and speak truth with both clarity and compassion in a culture searching for answers. For more from Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Feelings Are Not Truth: Why God’s Word Must Be Your Authority

In this episode of The Weekly Watch, part of the Contending for the Word podcast, Dave Jenkins addresses a growing cultural belief that feelings determine truth. Phrases like "follow your heart," "trust your feelings," and "live your truth" are widely accepted today, but Scripture presents a very different perspective. Drawing from Jeremiah 17:9, this episode explains why the human heart, affected by sin, is not a reliable guide to truth. Instead of grounding our lives in fluctuating emotions or personal experience, Christians are called to anchor themselves in the unchanging Word of God. This episode explores how emotionalism is shaping modern culture, including therapy culture and social media-driven spirituality, and why these trends often elevate personal experience above biblical truth. Dave also explains the critical distinction between doctrine informing life and life attempting to reshape doctrine, a reversal that leads to confusion, instability, and theological drift. Listeners will be encouraged to grow in biblical discernment, to test all things by Scripture, and to remain rooted in sound doctrine within the context of the local church. The Christian life is not built on feelings, but on the truth of God's Word. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

When Experience Becomes Authority: Why God’s Word Must Interpret Our Feelings

In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins addresses a growing problem in modern Christianity: the tendency to treat personal experience, spiritual impressions, and phrases like "God told me" as authoritative apart from Scripture. Anchored in 2 Timothy 3:16–17, this episode explains why Scripture is God-breathed, sufficient, and the final authority for the Christian life. Dave examines testimony culture, the dangers of private revelation language, and the appeal of experience-driven faith while calling believers back to the stability, clarity, and sufficiency of the Word of God. Christians do experience the work of God in real ways, but those experiences must always be interpreted through Scripture, never the other way around. In a confused age, God's Word remains the sure foundation for His people. For more from Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Biblical Love vs Cultural Love: Rejoicing in the Truth

In today's culture, the word love is used constantly—but its meaning is often redefined in ways that separate it from truth. In this episode of The Weekly Watch, Dave Jenkins examines the growing confusion surrounding love and contrasts the cultural definition with the biblical one. Anchored in 1 Corinthians 13:6, this episode explains why true love does not celebrate wrongdoing but rejoices in the truth of God's Word. In this episode, listeners will learn: How culture redefines love as affirmation without truth Why biblical love is connected to holiness and transformation The influence of social media and celebrity Christianity on this issue How the gospel perfectly demonstrates both truth and love How Christians can respond with clarity, humility, and compassion Biblical love is not less loving—it is more loving because it is grounded in the truth of God's Word. As confusion grows, Christians must return again and again to Scripture, allowing God—not culture—to define love. Truth belongs to God, not to culture. Real love always rejoices with the truth. For more episodes of Contending for the Word, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/