The Holly Pivec Podcast

EP 34 | How Spiritual Discernment Directly Impacts Your Mental Health

Is your mental health suffering because of bad theology? Discover how growing in spiritual discernment can free you from the anxiety, guilt, and emotional damage caused by false teachings. Many modern Christians are caught in a cycle of subtle shaming, false hope, and spiritual burnout. In this video, we break down why true biblical discernment is actually your greatest mental defense mechanism and a true faith builder. Learn how to spot "wolves in sheep's clothing," develop a healthy theology of suffering, and guard your mind against counterfeit spirituality. 00:00 - What is biblical discernment? 01:05 - The 3 faculties of the mind 02:13 - The "gymnasium" of the mind 03:16 - Exposing mysticism and false teachings 04:32 - How bad theology hurts mental health 05:18 - The danger of fake revivals 06:35 - True love warns people 08:21 - Social media scrolling vs. mental peace 09:57 - Why NAR theology causes anxiety 12:22 - Spiritual abuse and "shame-bombing" 14:31 - Judging leaders by their fruit 15:38 - Developing a theology of suffering 17:52 - How God uses hardship to train us 20:16 - Rejecting the "quick-fix" gospel 21:55 - Overcoming negative narratives If you want to grow deep in the Word and learn to guard your mind, make sure to subscribe and hit the notification bell! Check out Mark Baker's book Re-Minded: https://amzn.to/4dXP4iP Have you ever experienced spiritual "shame-bombing" or struggled with a "quick-fix" theology? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! #SpiritualDiscernment #MentalHealth #BiblicalTheology #FalseTeachings #ChristianMentalHealth #Discernment #Hebrews514

EP 33 |The Hard Work of Heart Work: Why NAR Shortcuts Fuel Anxiety

Is the "quick fix" culture of modern church movements actually hurting your mental health? In this clip, we break down why true biblical peace isn’t a supernatural "zap," but a daily process of heart work—and how movements like the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) might be driving people into anxiety and dependency. If you’ve ever felt exhausted trying to manufacture supernatural experiences or control things outside your hands, this video is for you. We dive deep into the difference between coping mechanisms and true sanctification. Key Moments in This Video 00:00 Intro: deception, shortcuts, and false teaching 01:10 The “hard work of heart work” vs instant spiritual fixes 04:22 False hope, anxiety, depression, and coping mechanisms 09:25 Dependency on supernatural experiences and emotional highs 12:06 NAR promises, impossible expectations, and control 17:54 Spiritual warfare distractions and losing focus on the gospel 21:27 Dominion theology and “another gospel” True spiritual growth takes time. In this discussion, Mark Baker unpacks Chapter 4 ("The Hard Work of Heart Work") and Chapter 8 of his book Re-Minded, exposing how the obsession with signs, wonders, and immediate deliverance can create a toxic loop of emotional highs and crashes. By shifting our focus from what we can't control to what we can, we find the sound mind that God actually promised us. Subscribe for more discussions on spiritual discernment and biblical truth! #SpiritualDiscernment #MentalHealth #NAR #BiblicalTruth #Sanctification #ChristianPodcast #FaithAndMentalHealth

EP32 | How False Teachings Damage Your Mental Health: A Biblical Perspective

Is your spiritual life causing more anxiety than peace? In this episode, I'm with biblical counselor and author Mark Baker to expose the overlooked link between false teachings—specifically within the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)—and mental health struggles like depression and chronic guilt. If you’ve ever felt like you "weren't performing enough" for God, or felt trapped by the pressure to hear a "word from God" for every decision, this conversation is for you. We dive deep into why subjective, feelings-based Christianity often leads to a "breaking point" and how you can reclaim a sound mind through the objective truth of Scripture. In this episode, we discuss: Biblical Counseling vs. Secular Psychology: Explaining different frameworks The NAR Mental Health Fallout: Why doctrines like "Heaven on Earth" and "Modern Apostles" often result in hopelessness. The Rise of "Christian" Mysticism: The subjective mystical practices, like "grave soaking" and "trips to heaven" (via guided visualizations), that are infiltrating the church Reclaiming a Sound Mind: The vital connection between self-discipline and mental clarity (2 Timothy 1:7). The "Crack" in the System: How catching one lie or false prophecy can be the first step toward spiritual freedom. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Reconnecting with Mark Baker. 01:02 – What is biblical counseling and why is it unique? 04:02 – The secularization of pastoral care in modern seminaries. 08:47 – How false teaching creates an "unsound mind." 13:26 – Does NAR attract or create mental health issues? 16:45 – The burden of "performance-based" Christianity. 23:22 – How one "crack" via a false prophecy can lead to freedom. 28:10 – The danger of "subjectivity" and the "Touch not the anointed" trap. 31:25 – Understanding the role of self-discipline in a sound mind. 34:58 – The hard work of "heart work": Avoiding spiritual shortcuts. Resources Mentioned: Mark Baker’s Book: Re-Minded: How to Renew Your Mind, Quiet Your Soul, and Transform Your Life - https://www.amazon.com/Re-Minded-Renew-Your-Quiet-Transform/dp/B0DDP78BK6 [https://www.amazon.com/Re-Minded-Renew-Your-Quiet-Transform/dp/B0DDP78BK6] Have you experienced anxiety or spiritual burnout from these types of teachings? Share your story in the comments below. We’re building a community of truth-seekers and would love to hear from you. Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE and hit the 🔔to stay updated on our latest deep dives into theology and discernment. #HollyPivec #MarkBaker #NAR #BiblicalCounseling #MentalHealth #Discernment #SpiritualAbuse #SoundMind #ChristianPodcast

EP31 | Prophecy or Prop: How Magicians Replicate Modern "Miracles"

Is it a miracle from God, a manifestation of the demonic, or just a clever trick? In this deep-dive interview, professional magician and mentalist Terry Holley pulls back the curtain on the "signs and wonders" appearing in modern movements like the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). From gold dust and "glory clouds" at Bethel to the secrets of "words of knowledge," Terry explains how mentalism and cold reading can perfectly replicate what many claim to be supernatural. We also tackle the tough theological questions: Did Pharaoh’s magicians actually perform miracles? Can Satan control the weather? And why do so many Christians give the enemy more credit than the Bible does? If you’ve ever wondered if what you’re seeing on stage is real or just "extrasensory deception," this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE: Mentalism vs. Prophecy: How "Question & Answer" routines mimic prophetic words. The "Glory Cloud" Demystified: Comparing modern church manifestations to Las Vegas illusions. Theology of the Miraculous: Why creating life (snakes and blood) is a boundary only God crosses. Occam’s Razor & The Supernatural: Understanding the 4 natural forces before jumping to "miracle" conclusions. Demons & Objects: The logic (and hilarity) of "demon-possessed" chocolate chip cookies. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction: Can magic explain so-called "miracles"? 03:15 - The Q&A Routine: How mentalists "read minds." 08:45 - Gold Dust & Snow: David Copperfield’s secrets. 14:20 - Pharaoh’s Magicians: Miracle or sleight of hand? 22:10 - Signs and Wonders: A Greek word study. 30:35 - Can Satan control the weather? (Lessons from Job) 38:50 - The "Supernormal" vs. The "Supernatural." 45:15 - Debunking "demonized" objects and screaming wood. 52:40 - The $25,000 Challenge for a real miracle. 58:20 - Final thoughts: Staying within biblical boundaries. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Book: Astrology and Psychic Phenomena by Terry Holley. James Randi’s Alpha Project: How two magicians fooled the scientific community. CONTACT TERRY: terry_holley@hotmail.com (For church seminars/performances and questions). Do you think he’s being too cynical, or is this the discernment the church needs today? Let us know in the comments. TWO CORRECTIONS SUBMITTED BY TERRY HOLLEY:1. David Hoy's "Hurling the Headlines" is not a book, but it is a chapter found in his booklet, "The Bold and Subtle Miracles of Dr. Faust."2. I accidentally stated that I sent predictions to David Hoy. I should have stated that I sent them to Gary North. Hoy passed in 1981. My correspondence with North was in the 1990s. #Discernment #Apologetics #NewApostolicReformation #Magic #Theology #TerryHolley #SpiritualWarfare #Mentalism

EP30 | Signs, Wonders, or Sleight of Hand? A Magician's View of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)

Is it a miracle, or just a really good trick? In this revealing interview, 55-year veteran magician Terry Holley pulls back the curtain on the "supernatural" claims of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). While many believers are amazed by "words of knowledge" and "miraculous" powers, Terry reveals how professional mentalism, data mining, and theatrical illusions can replicate these exact experiences. We explore the historical deception of figures like William Branham and Paul Cain, and the danger of building theology on anecdotal stories that crumble under investigation. If you've ever questioned the "Glory Cloud" or how a prophet knew personal details about your life, this video provides the technical and biblical clarity you need. Inside this investigation: Mentalism 101: How performers "read minds" using natural techniques. The Andre Kole Legacy: Why Jesus’ miracles were impossible to fake. Nailing Jello to a Wall: The truth about levitation stories and "miracle" reports. The "Hot Reading" Scandal: Why some modern prophets are just data mining. Biblical Discernment: How to distinguish between theatrical magic and occult practices. CHAPTERS 0:00 – Intro: Why interview a Christian magician? 1:25 – Terry Holley 55-year background in magic 4:45 – What is Mentalism? (Mind reading vs. tricks) 7:20 – Andre Kole and the investigation of Jesus’ miracles 17:15 – The difference between theatrical magic and the occult 19:10 – Why magicians use equipment (debunking demonic power) 21:05 – Magician vs. Illusionist: Why some churches prefer "illusionist" 23:30 – "Magic in the Bible": Hebrew and Greek word studies 26:50 – Investigating the Kansas City Prophets and Bob Jones 30:15 – Correspondence with John Piper and Wayne Grudem 38:15 – The "Flying Reindeer" argument: Why we need proof 43:50 – The Levitation Myth: Investigating supernatural claims 50:15 – Observations on Craig Keener’s Miracles book volumes 53:40 – Paul Cain and "Hot Reading" techniques 56:10 – The "Sick Cat" experiment: How easy it is to fool people 1:02:30 – Data mining and modern prophets (Shawn Bolz) Help us spread the truth: If this video helped you understand the mechanics of deception, please Like and Subscribe. Share this video with anyone currently involved in NAR circles to help them test what they are seeing against the truth. #NAR #Prophecy #Mentalism #BethelRedding #BiblicalDiscernment #Apologetics #FaithHealing #Discernment