What is modern mysticism in the Church?

Modern mysticism is the practice of treating personal impressions, emotions, or fresh revelations as equal to or greater than Scripture. It often replaces biblical authority with subjective experiences.

Why is testing the spirits important for Christians?

Scripture commands believers to test every spirit (1 John 4:1) because many false teachers and deceptive experiences can appear spiritual but contradict God’s Word. Discernment keeps us grounded in truth.

How can I discern if a spiritual experience is from God?

Compare every teaching, impression, or 'word from God' with Scripture. If it contradicts the Bible, it is not from God. God’s Word is the final authority for all spiritual truth (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

What does the Bible say about feelings and emotions?

The Bible acknowledges emotions, but warns that the heart is deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9). Feelings must be submitted to God’s Word—not used as a compass for truth.

What are practical ways to grow in biblical discernment?

Stay anchored in Scripture, stay in Christian community, test teachings by their fruit, reject secret knowledge claims, and embrace the ordinary means of grace like prayer, worship, and the Word.

Biblical Authority vs. Modern Mysticism: Testing the Spirits

⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 1 min read

Biblical Authority vs. Modern Mysticism: Testing Every Spirit in the Church

🎙️ The Weekly Watch with Dave Jenkins

In this episode of The Weekly Watch, Dave Jenkins explores how emotional experiences, fresh “words,” and modern mysticism are creeping into the Church—challenging biblical authority and confusing many believers. What does it mean to truly test the spirits (1 John 4:1)? How do we discern truth from error in an age of feelings? This episode will equip you to stand firm on the sufficiency of Scripture when spiritual counterfeits sound persuasive and even “Christian.”

🎧 Listen

🎥 Watch

🔍 Episode Highlights

The rise of modern mysticism and emotionalism in the Church
Why impressions and feelings are not divine revelation
How to biblically test the spirits (1 John 4:1–3)
5 practical principles for spiritual discernment
Encouragement to cling to Scripture in an age of confusion

📖 Reflection Questions

Do I measure truth by Scripture or by what feels spiritually powerful?
Have I allowed emotionalism or impressions to override biblical truth?
Who in my life helps me test spiritual claims against God’s Word?

📚 Recommended Resources

The Word Matters by Dave Jenkins
Counterfeit Kingdom by Holly Pivec & Doug Geivett
Articles from Doreen Virtue
Christian Answers for the New Age by Marcia Montenegro

Dave Jenkins

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah. He is a writer, editor, and speaker living in beautiful Southern Oregon. Dave is a lover of Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology. He serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries, the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine, the Host and Producer of Equipping You in Grace Podcast, and is a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word. He is the author of The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024). You can find him on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, or read his newsletter. Dave loves to spend time with his wife, going to movies, eating at a nice restaurant, or going out for a round of golf with a good friend. He is also a voracious reader, in particular of Reformed theology, and the Puritans. You will often find him when he’s not busy with ministry reading a pile of the latest books from a wide variety of Christian publishers. Dave received his M.A.R. and M.Div through Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.