Music is A Starting Point in Our Praise, but It is Not Worship

Worship is More than A Song!

Watch this praise song from Ross King called “Clear the Stage”:

I would like to share with you an excerpt from David Walters’ book called “Worship fur Dummies;” which is no longer being published. He said that “he calls himself a dummy in the area of praise and worship, but he knows the ways of the Holy Spirit. He covers a number of important issues such as what is worship, How important are worship leaders, Can children really worship, and must more? Mr. Walters is an evangelist and expert with children and youth ministry. You can check out his website at www.davidwaltersministry.com

Worship fur Dummies by David Walters Chapter 6: Worshipping, Worship?

In the past many of us worshipped doctrine, or the Bible, instead of the Lord. Others may still worship their church affiliation, or even their building. Many have worshipped their pastor, or his particular vision. We can all be in danger of worshiping our traditions. Have we gone from one extreme to another? Are some of us worshipping worship? Has the pendulum swung too far the other way? Are we into music so much, that it’s making us believe we are into God? Is Satan who was the original worship leader, deceiving us into another form of idolatry? Has the emphasis on music (which we are now calling worship) gathered so much momentum that it can no longer contained?

Is this the Holy Spirit, when people wave their bodies in motion to music for a hour with any words being sung? It is possible to mistake good music for the anointing? Remember music has a powerful effect on all of us and can create an atmosphere – which we can mistake for the presence of God.

When people attend concerts, whether it’s rock, classical, or romantic, they will often experience ecstasy. I personally enjoy the music of Yannai, Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Celtic music and the Irish dancing. I find it moving and stimulating. Music and dancing of that quality should be more forthcoming in the church. Music brings us pleasure and lifts our spirits. We must realize however, that adding Christian words to gifted or clever music doesn’t of necessity make it a true spiritual experience; it could be a soulish experience. There is a soulish anointing, but we need Holy Spirit. Let’s not replace true spiritually with natural talent and gifted music. They have their place, but we need to be careful and discerning. We must not dress talent and music up in spiritual garb and deceive ourselves, be reveling in the euphoria of it and then calling it God.

Peter and John standing in front of the gate of the temple did not go into a hour or two of praise and worship before they ministered to the crippled man. Jesus did not spend hours in corporate praise gatherings to receive anointing, boldness and supernatural power for His ministry. In fact very little is aid about praise and worship in the New Testament. Of course we are encouraged to come together with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs and make melody in our hearts to the Lord (see Ephesians 5:19) And we are also told to make our requests known unto God with thanksgiving (see Philippians 4:6).

The Bible is not an end in and of itself, but it is to beings us to a personal knowledge of God. Likewise praise and worship is not an end in and of itself, but it’s designed to bring us into a place where we can break away from worldly distractions and concentrate on our God and Savior. This then activates our faith. For is it not faith that brings us into His presence?
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6

Although I enjoy certain music, I am not into it in a big way. I don’t make a living in music, it is not my life. I remember many years ago before I was saved, I used to go to all night jazz sessions at the London clubs. It was the in-thing for the hip generation. Although I liked jazz, I was not a fanatic, so I did not stay until five in the morning. Around 12:30 am I felt my bed calling me. Sleep was more important than jazz, so I would leave for home. Just because many believers love music, or are music fanatics, (most musicians are) that does not prove that they are the only ones that are fanatical about God.
I know of a number of women who have had a desire to worship the Lord as they were driving their car or cleaning their house. They tell their friends how they put on a worship tape and had wonderful time of worship with the Lord. Thank God for modern technology, but I wonder what the old saints did when they felt a quickening to worship Lord? Obviously they could not put on a worship tape. So obviously worship isn’t always connected to music. The Lord has told my wife before, to turn off the worship tape in order to worship Him, and hear His voice.

We know that there are a number of scriptures depicting worship with singing and music especially in the Psalms and King David’s victories over his enemies. But there are also a large number of scriptures that give accounts of people worshipping with the bowing of the heads in the door of their tents or on the mountain and music isn’t mentioned (see Genesis 24:26; 24:48; 24:52; Exodus 4:31; 12:27; 33:10; 34:8; Judges 7:15; 1 Samuel 1:19; 1:28; 15:31; 2 Samuel 12:20; 15:32; 1 Chronicles 29:20; 2 Chronicles 7:3). Also the following scriptures found in the New Testament regarding worship, do not mention music (see Matthew 2:11; 8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 28:9; 28:17; Mark 5:6; Luke 24:52; John 9:38; Acts 18:7).

Obviously the Lord accepts our worship with or without music. Music helps when we worship, but it is not indispensable.

Shelena’s Additional Comment:

To have a great and perfected relationship with the Heavenly Father, you and I must praise and worship Him. This is not a cleshay (cliche)! You and I must not delay our obedience to His commands. Music is a starting point in our praise [for Babes in Christ], but it is not apart of our worship.

Selah (pause and think about it).

Until next time, continue to be blessed and Praise the Lord!