Music and Worship Are Only a Small Part of True Worship

True worship is declaring God’s worth and giving Him glory through words, attitudes, and actions as a way of life. Many call singing during the service worship, but if worshipping God does not continue outside the church sanctuary, it is very suspect inside it. The highest form of worship is striving to be like Jesus.

We build the superstructures of worship on the foundation stones of Scripture. Only those who by grace through faith have become God’s children can truly worship the Father in Spirit and truth. “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (John 4:23 NIV).

Singing is an exalted form of human communication. We highly value skilled singers. They powerfully move us emotionally. God also values human singing. Music and true worship are connected. God created us with the ability to sing so we could praise and honor Him.

In America, we idolize excellent singers. Most use God’s gift to glorify themselves. Many of us long to be like them more than we long to be like Jesus.

Music is attached to worship in the Old and New Testaments. Moses and the people of Israel sang to God after he delivered them from Egypt (Exodus 15). Worship in the Tabernacle and Temple included singing. The Psalms were worship songs for all circumstances.

Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn after celebrating the Passover before they went to the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30). Paul and Silas sang hymns while imprisoned (Acts 16:25). Paul said he would sing with understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15).

Ephesians 5:19 and James 5:13 instruct us to sing praises to God. Paul told the Colossians to sing with heartfelt gratitude to God (Colossians 3:16).

In heaven, every creature will sing: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13 NIV).

People have worshipped God through music for more than 3,000 years. The congregation is the most important choir in the sanctuary, and God is the audience. Their singing expresses the beautiful unity of Christ’s church.

Music can hinder our worship. Music must remain the servant of Scriptural words and ideas. The words, not the music, are primary. Music that draws attention to itself tickles the ears but distracts the focus from the all-important words of praise, thanksgiving, devotion, and commitment to God. It becomes another golden calf (Exodus 32) that takes God’s place.

Mindlessly singing a “worship song” is not automatically worship. The energizing beat might lift our spirits and make us feel better. The words we are singing might be Scriptural and true. However, it is superficial worship if we are not thinking about and singing to God (Psalm 96:1).

The words we sing to God are important. The congregation recalls the words of songs better than the words of sermons. Therefore, congregational songs should teach about God and His ways and reflect the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).¹ What is your takeaway? See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.   #freediscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources

1.      The Theology and Place of Music in Worship | Faithward.org

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