Have you ever asked yourself: Why do I sing in church? What is the purpose of music? Who invented it? What kind of music pleases God, and what does He reject? These are important questions, yet many Christians rarely stop to consider them. As we examine music in worship, we need to understand its deeper purpose beyond mere entertainment.
Music is not just a backdrop to our worship—it shapes the way we approach God. Our music should conform to God's standard of beauty, not the subjective ideas of man. It must reflect His holiness and order, not the influences of the world. If we're not careful, we may unknowingly adopt worship practices that fail to honor God.
While back in the United States recently, I felt obligated to attend a "Christian" event with a friend, although we sat at the very back. The event began with a "worship service," and I was immediately troubled by the first song. The music blared, people jumped, hollered, and danced with swirling hands to a beat I instantly recognized from gym playlists. While the lyrics contained religious jargon, the atmosphere reflected nothing of Christ. Instead, confusion filled the room, as if we were in a nightclub rather than a house of worship.
Sadly, this scene is all too familiar in many churches. At that moment, I dropped to my knees in prayer, grieving the distance we've drifted from the reverence and holiness that should mark our gatherings before God.
There is no arguing the fact that music is a controversial issue. In fact, it could be argued that music is the most contentious topic in our Christian circles. In today's world, the line between sacred and secular has become increasingly blurred. Many churches have embraced modern music styles—country, rock, R&B pop, rap, salsa, and even reggaetón—in their worship services. But is this biblical worship that honors and pleases God? Or have we allowed worldly influences to corrupt what should be holy and set apart?
As we reflect on Scripture, we're confronted with the reality of our sinful nature: we are rebellious people (Isaiah 1:2; Romans 3:10), prone to wander from God's ways (Isaiah 53:6). Our hearts are deceitful and perverse (Jeremiah 17:9), and there is none who truly understands or seeks after God (Romans 3:11). It is God who seeks and draws us to Himself (John 6:44), and it is He who works within us to will and act according to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
Understanding this, we must recognize that our attempts to worship God or please Him outside the parameters of His Bible are unrighteous. When we create worship practices or ideals not founded in Scripture—or worse, those that contradict God's Word—they are not pleasing to Him. We may deceive ourselves, but these efforts are rooted in deceptions from Satan.
Much of what is called worship today is nothing more than worldly music repackaged with Christian lyrics. This is not the worship that pleases a holy God. The rhythms, beats, and styles that glorify sensuality and rebellion in secular culture have no place in the sanctuary of the Lord. We must forsake these practices, repent of our idolatry, and return to the purity of biblical worship.
One reason many Christians have a leanness of faith and understanding of God is that the music they sing lacks depth in reflecting God's attributes and doctrine. When worship becomes reduced to worldly beats, catchy tunes, and shallow lyrics, it misses the mark in conveying essential truths that help Christians grow in their understanding of God. Instead of drawing Christians to a place of reverent awe, much of today's music stirs emotions without grounding them in God's Word, leading to a faith that lacks substance and is detached from the richness of Scripture.
In Leviticus 19:30, God commands, "Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD." Yet, today, much of what is called "worship" lacks any genuine reverence. We are told that this music glorifies God, but does it really? Too often, it appeals more to the flesh than to the Spirit. Worship is not about entertainment or personal enjoyment; it is about adoring and exalting the Lord of lords with reverence, awe, and humility.
Some argue, "But that's the Old Testament Law," dismissing it as irrelevant to Christians today. Yes, the ceremonial aspects of the Law no longer apply to us, and we are not bound by its requirements for salvation. However, the Law reveals God's character. What He declared as pleasing to Him thousands of years ago is still what He desires today and forever. Reverence, holiness, and awe are timeless principles. God Himself declares this in the Holy Bible, saying 42 times, "I am the Lord your God." This repeated declaration was a firm reminder that He alone sets the standard for how we approach Him. If Jesus Christ is truly our God, then our worship must reflect His holiness, not our own preferences or feelings.
The sanctuary may just be a space, but what makes it sacred is the Person who stands within it—the presence of Jesus Christ, the glorious Lord of all creation. If our worship does not reflect the awe and reverence due to Him, can we truly call it worship? Adding His name to a song doesn't make it holy. Music catering to the flesh—where people dance, jump, and scream in a frenzy—doesn't honor God. Instead, it mirrors the very world from which we are called to separate ourselves.
Throughout every book of the Bible, God reveals Himself as high and loft, holy, and set apart. His presence demands reverence. From the trembling Israelites at Mount Sinai to the elders falling on their faces before His throne in Revelation, God makes it clear that those who come before Him must do so in fear and awe. Worship is not a performance; it is an offering that demands a sacrifice. If that offering is tainted with the world's ways and fleshly appetites, it is unacceptable before Him.
I often cringe when I hear someone say they're going to "run up to Jesus and give Him a high-five" when they get to Heaven. This casual approach to meeting the Saviour contrasts how people in Scripture responded when they encountered the Lord. Everyone who came face-to-face with God's presence was overcome by awe and fear and fell to the ground. Upon seeing the Lord high and exalted, the prophet Isaiah cried out, "Woe is me! For I am undone!" (Isaiah 6:5). Ezekiel fell on his face at the sight of God's glory. When Moses first encountered God, he hid his face in fear (Exodus 3:6) and later bowed in reverence (Exodus 34:8). Even the disciples, who walked with Jesus daily, fell on their faces in awe when they witnessed Christ's transfiguration on the mount (Matthew 17:6). And when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in Gethsemane, His response, saying, "I am" caused them to fall backward (John 18:6). This is the overwhelming holiness of God's presence—it compels us to reverence Him when we truly enter His presence—not causal familiarity.
No one shall enter Heaven and treat Jesus as their equal; and nor should we here on earth. Throughout eternity, we will worship Him in holiness and absolute reverence. Worship in Heaven will not resemble the entertainment-driven, self-centered experiences prevalent in many churches today. It will not be filled with music reflecting sensuality, pride, and worldly influences. It will be pure, holy, beautiful, and centered solely on Christ.
It is time for us to examine our worship practices with sober hearts. Have you allowed the world's influence to corrupt what should be set apart for God? Have you exchanged reverence for entertainment, holiness for hype? True worship is not about what excites our emotions; it is about offering God what He desires—pure, undefiled praise from hearts that tremble before His majesty.
As we reflect on the holiness of God, we must be willing to make necessary changes in how we approach Him in worship—both in music and life. True worship demands that we align ourselves with His standards on His terms—not our own. Our music should mirror the attributes of God. Our songs, voices, instruments, and hearts must be pure before Him. We must rid ourselves of music that mimics the world's darkness and instead fill our gatherings with melodies that reflect the light, holiness, and beauty of our King. Let us approach Him in the fear of the Lord, singing with hearts that are clean, humble, and full of reverence. For Christ alone is worthy.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
Music is not just a backdrop to our worship—it shapes the way we approach God. Our music should conform to God's standard of beauty, not the subjective ideas of man. It must reflect His holiness and order, not the influences of the world. If we're not careful, we may unknowingly adopt worship practices that fail to honor God.
While back in the United States recently, I felt obligated to attend a "Christian" event with a friend, although we sat at the very back. The event began with a "worship service," and I was immediately troubled by the first song. The music blared, people jumped, hollered, and danced with swirling hands to a beat I instantly recognized from gym playlists. While the lyrics contained religious jargon, the atmosphere reflected nothing of Christ. Instead, confusion filled the room, as if we were in a nightclub rather than a house of worship.
Sadly, this scene is all too familiar in many churches. At that moment, I dropped to my knees in prayer, grieving the distance we've drifted from the reverence and holiness that should mark our gatherings before God.
There is no arguing the fact that music is a controversial issue. In fact, it could be argued that music is the most contentious topic in our Christian circles. In today's world, the line between sacred and secular has become increasingly blurred. Many churches have embraced modern music styles—country, rock, R&B pop, rap, salsa, and even reggaetón—in their worship services. But is this biblical worship that honors and pleases God? Or have we allowed worldly influences to corrupt what should be holy and set apart?
As we reflect on Scripture, we're confronted with the reality of our sinful nature: we are rebellious people (Isaiah 1:2; Romans 3:10), prone to wander from God's ways (Isaiah 53:6). Our hearts are deceitful and perverse (Jeremiah 17:9), and there is none who truly understands or seeks after God (Romans 3:11). It is God who seeks and draws us to Himself (John 6:44), and it is He who works within us to will and act according to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
Understanding this, we must recognize that our attempts to worship God or please Him outside the parameters of His Bible are unrighteous. When we create worship practices or ideals not founded in Scripture—or worse, those that contradict God's Word—they are not pleasing to Him. We may deceive ourselves, but these efforts are rooted in deceptions from Satan.
Much of what is called worship today is nothing more than worldly music repackaged with Christian lyrics. This is not the worship that pleases a holy God. The rhythms, beats, and styles that glorify sensuality and rebellion in secular culture have no place in the sanctuary of the Lord. We must forsake these practices, repent of our idolatry, and return to the purity of biblical worship.
One reason many Christians have a leanness of faith and understanding of God is that the music they sing lacks depth in reflecting God's attributes and doctrine. When worship becomes reduced to worldly beats, catchy tunes, and shallow lyrics, it misses the mark in conveying essential truths that help Christians grow in their understanding of God. Instead of drawing Christians to a place of reverent awe, much of today's music stirs emotions without grounding them in God's Word, leading to a faith that lacks substance and is detached from the richness of Scripture.
In Leviticus 19:30, God commands, "Ye shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD." Yet, today, much of what is called "worship" lacks any genuine reverence. We are told that this music glorifies God, but does it really? Too often, it appeals more to the flesh than to the Spirit. Worship is not about entertainment or personal enjoyment; it is about adoring and exalting the Lord of lords with reverence, awe, and humility.
Some argue, "But that's the Old Testament Law," dismissing it as irrelevant to Christians today. Yes, the ceremonial aspects of the Law no longer apply to us, and we are not bound by its requirements for salvation. However, the Law reveals God's character. What He declared as pleasing to Him thousands of years ago is still what He desires today and forever. Reverence, holiness, and awe are timeless principles. God Himself declares this in the Holy Bible, saying 42 times, "I am the Lord your God." This repeated declaration was a firm reminder that He alone sets the standard for how we approach Him. If Jesus Christ is truly our God, then our worship must reflect His holiness, not our own preferences or feelings.
The sanctuary may just be a space, but what makes it sacred is the Person who stands within it—the presence of Jesus Christ, the glorious Lord of all creation. If our worship does not reflect the awe and reverence due to Him, can we truly call it worship? Adding His name to a song doesn't make it holy. Music catering to the flesh—where people dance, jump, and scream in a frenzy—doesn't honor God. Instead, it mirrors the very world from which we are called to separate ourselves.
Throughout every book of the Bible, God reveals Himself as high and loft, holy, and set apart. His presence demands reverence. From the trembling Israelites at Mount Sinai to the elders falling on their faces before His throne in Revelation, God makes it clear that those who come before Him must do so in fear and awe. Worship is not a performance; it is an offering that demands a sacrifice. If that offering is tainted with the world's ways and fleshly appetites, it is unacceptable before Him.
I often cringe when I hear someone say they're going to "run up to Jesus and give Him a high-five" when they get to Heaven. This casual approach to meeting the Saviour contrasts how people in Scripture responded when they encountered the Lord. Everyone who came face-to-face with God's presence was overcome by awe and fear and fell to the ground. Upon seeing the Lord high and exalted, the prophet Isaiah cried out, "Woe is me! For I am undone!" (Isaiah 6:5). Ezekiel fell on his face at the sight of God's glory. When Moses first encountered God, he hid his face in fear (Exodus 3:6) and later bowed in reverence (Exodus 34:8). Even the disciples, who walked with Jesus daily, fell on their faces in awe when they witnessed Christ's transfiguration on the mount (Matthew 17:6). And when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus in Gethsemane, His response, saying, "I am" caused them to fall backward (John 18:6). This is the overwhelming holiness of God's presence—it compels us to reverence Him when we truly enter His presence—not causal familiarity.
No one shall enter Heaven and treat Jesus as their equal; and nor should we here on earth. Throughout eternity, we will worship Him in holiness and absolute reverence. Worship in Heaven will not resemble the entertainment-driven, self-centered experiences prevalent in many churches today. It will not be filled with music reflecting sensuality, pride, and worldly influences. It will be pure, holy, beautiful, and centered solely on Christ.
It is time for us to examine our worship practices with sober hearts. Have you allowed the world's influence to corrupt what should be set apart for God? Have you exchanged reverence for entertainment, holiness for hype? True worship is not about what excites our emotions; it is about offering God what He desires—pure, undefiled praise from hearts that tremble before His majesty.
As we reflect on the holiness of God, we must be willing to make necessary changes in how we approach Him in worship—both in music and life. True worship demands that we align ourselves with His standards on His terms—not our own. Our music should mirror the attributes of God. Our songs, voices, instruments, and hearts must be pure before Him. We must rid ourselves of music that mimics the world's darkness and instead fill our gatherings with melodies that reflect the light, holiness, and beauty of our King. Let us approach Him in the fear of the Lord, singing with hearts that are clean, humble, and full of reverence. For Christ alone is worthy.
RETURN TO ALL BLOGS
