Explore every episode of the podcast The Holly Pivec Podcast

Unbiblical, harmful teachings and movements are on the rise, and spiritual discernment is at an all-time low. I started my new podcast to equip you to become more discerning so you can protect yourself and your loved ones from spiritual deception. In this first episode, I explain the two-pronged approach to biblical discernment, which you can use to evaluate sermons, books, podcasts, songs, memes, and more. Get equipped—join me as I dive into this crucial topic.

When the “key to everything” becomes a catchphrase, it’s time to ask some hard questions. In this episode, we begin examining a popular but rarely scrutinized teaching: that God speaks to us regularly outside of Scripture—and that we need special methods to hear Him. But are we supposed to seek daily divine messages? This isn’t just a theological debate—it’s about spiritual safety and biblical fidelity.

Worship music isn't just about the latest release—it’s a window into how generations before us thought about God. When we only listen to modern worship, we risk becoming blind to our own biases. Sometimes, it takes an old hymn to reveal just how much our theology has been shaped by the trends of today. Want to grow in discernment? Don’t skip the “old stuff.”

Just think for a moment about the songs your church sings or what you hear on Christian radio or streaming platforms. What are the lyrics most often about? What are the theological assumptions? What buzzwords keep showing up? Now—how would those compare to the songs written by earlier generations of Christians?

Sometimes, the best way to recognize the blind spots of our era is by listening to the voices of the past. In this episode, we explore how worship music—old and new—shapes our theology more than we realize.

From fire tunnels to "activation" exercises, I walked through some of the most recognizable signs of New Apostolic Reformation influence in churches today. I shared my firsthand experience at Bethel and unpacked NAR practices like impartation, SOZO, dream interpretation, and "strategic-level" spiritual warfare.

This isn’t just about strange practices—it’s about how methods, language, and even church names can reveal unbiblical and harmful beliefs. When you spot these indicators, it’s time to ask deeper questions.

Many Christians are unknowingly embracing dangerous teachings that distort the gospel. In this episode, I expose the deceptive tactics of self-proclaimed apostles and prophets, showing how their influence is creeping into churches today. I’ll help you recognize the red flags, understand what’s truly biblical, and protect yourself and your loved ones from spiritual deception. Don’t be misled—let’s talk about what’s really happening.

Catchphrases are everywhere—even in Christian circles. But are they always true? In this episode, we break down some popular Christian catchphrases and reveal how they can sometimes distort biblical truth. Don’t let clever words cloud your discernment!

Many Christians assume we’ll spend eternity floating in heaven — but what if Scripture paints a different picture? In this first-ever guest interview, Dr. Alan Gomes (author of 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell) unpacks common misconceptions about heaven, what the “eternal state” really is, and what believers will actually do forever — from worship and work to creativity, learning, and community on the new earth.

Alan Gomes' book on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/40-Questions-about-Heaven-Hell/dp/0825442761

Are Christians being told to obey fallible prophecies?

In this episode, I review Pete Greig’s How to Hear God and show how his teachings, while sounding biblical, subtly undermine Scripture’s authority. He claims the Bible is central, yet urges obedience to dreams and prophetic words that can be mistaken, even suggesting that studying Scripture can hinder hearing God’s voice.

I explain why this “bait and switch” is dangerous, how it reflects broader NAR patterns, and why we must test both the words and practices of today’s teachers against Scripture.

Just because a verse hits you doesn’t mean it's about you.

📖💭 In this episode, I unpack how popular methods of "hearing God" through Scripture can drift into dangerous territory when context is thrown out the window. When we treat the Bible like a magic mirror, we risk seeing only our own reflection—not God's words.

What if “learning” to prophesy is less about hearing God and more about making stuff up? This episode exposes how popular methods like the “ABC filter” blur the line between God’s voice and human guesswork — or worse, flirt with practices the Bible clearly warns against. Rather than relying on a faulty "filter," the best way to test a word is to ask: “Would this survive the tests for prophecy given in Scripture?”

A lot of Christians today believe God is speaking to them constantly—about everything from major life choices to what shirt to wear. But is that really what Scripture teaches?

In this episode, I take a closer look at Pete Greig’s book How to Hear God and examine three commonly misused Bible passages: John 10:27, 1 Kings 19, and 1 Samuel 3. You’ll see how verses pulled out of context can be made to say things they were never meant to say—and why that matters. We’ll talk about Elijah’s “still small voice,” Samuel’s prophetic calling, and what Jesus really meant when He said, “My sheep hear my voice.”

The goal here isn’t just to critique a book—it’s to help you grow in biblical discernment. If you’ve ever wondered whether you're supposed to be hearing God speak every day in whispers and impressions, this episode is for you. Let’s test these claims carefully and biblically.

Is God really whispering to you... Or are you hearing something else? 🌀 In this episode, we dig into a book that's shaping how thousands think about hearing God, while also shining a light on the hidden influences many Christians don't realize they're embracing. 📚 Whether you're curious, cautious, or convinced, this conversation is worth having.

Many Christians long for an intimate, conversational relationship with God, and Pete Greig offers what sounds like simple advice: "Listen and follow Jesus." According to him, all Christian theology boils down to those four words. From major life decisions to tiny, everyday choices—like which shirt to wear—Greig claims God is constantly whispering guidance to those who will listen. But comforting as that may sound, such bold claims demand biblical support.

That's where things get convoluted. Greig points to the story of the road to Emmaus as a "master class" in how to hear God's voice. But that story, found in the Gospel of Luke, wasn't written as a manual for discerning divine whispers—it was written to show that Jesus truly rose from the dead and appeared physically to his followers. Reading it as a guide to spiritual intuition not only stretches the text but also ignores its context entirely.