⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 2 min read
How the Church Loses Discernment: Why Theological Drift Happens Slowly
Contending for the Word • Dave Jenkins
Show Summary
The church rarely loses discernment through sudden rebellion or open denial of Scripture. More often, it happens slowly, quietly, and relationally—through softened language, subtle authority shifts, and “almost right” teaching that feels wise and compassionate. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains how drift actually happens and how ordinary believers can remain anchored in Christ without becoming cynical or fearful.
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Key Scriptures
- Hebrews 2:1 — “Pay much closer attention… lest we drift away.”
- Acts 20:29–30 — Wolves arising from among the flock.
- 1 John 4:1 — “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits.”
- Acts 17:11 — The Bereans examined the Scriptures daily.
- Romans 8:1 — No condemnation for those in Christ.
Episode Highlights
- Drift is usually incremental, not explosive.
- Discernment erodes through relationships when testing is replaced by trust.
- Authority often shifts before doctrine changes.
- “Almost right” teaching lowers guardrails and spreads quietly.
- Staying anchored means steady submission to the Word of God—without cynicism.
Takeaways
- Watchfulness is not panic—it’s faithful attention to God’s Word.
- Unity is a fruit of truth, not a replacement for it.
- Don’t outsource discernment; cultivate it through Scripture and the local church.
- Be content with ordinary obedience—faithfulness lasts longer than trends.
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and 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 connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
