What Worship Really Is

Music does not equal worship. Your life is the worship. Music is just another tool and an expression of what should be going on in the heart. Worship will happen whether music exists or not.

You cannot force someone into worship. You can make them feel a little more comfortable by having quality music or making the atmosphere emotional and/or pleasant, but that does not equal worship. Paul and Silas sang in a prison. No instruments, no mood lighting, no fog machines, no freedom. And, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure their worship was a beautiful thing in God's eyes. Give me someone who will sing to God no matter the circumstance or atmosphere and I'll give you a true Worshiper.

It unsettles me to look at our typical "Christian culture" (because unfortunately, not only do we have a worldly culture, but we have a Christian culture, which in my opinion is almost more dangerous), and think that most people believe that as long as you "get into a song" or "feel the Spirit" or "get excited about Jesus" or whatever, that you're worshiping. That's not scriptural at all. I hope this doesn't come across as a rant. I truly don't mean it that way. It's just something I have been wrestling with for probably the past 2 years.

On the flip side, I think worshiping God through song can be one of the most rewarding things we experience. To me, worship through song is an example of God's greater grace-that we have the opportunity to bring to God something beautiful and experience such a reward as to sense His presence in the process.

I truly believe it's about realizing that OUR LIVES are the act of worship! Paul says so in Romans. Jesus says so all throughout the gospels. He rarely asked people to worship Him in a song. He asked them to worship Him through their lives, in Spirit and in Truth!

Honestly, I think the reason so many people cling to this idea of music=worship is because it's so easy. It's so easy to say you worship God when all you have to do is show up on Sunday and get into the "Worship Service". It's easy to say you're worshipping God when you listen to your ipod and feel moved by the Christian music. It's so easy. You know what's not easy? Presenting your body as a living sacrifice to God. Letting Him have His way, which includes pruning any branches that need pruning, laying down your wants and desires for His, purposing in your heart and actions to have character and integrity, even when it seems like it will kill you. Loving God and seeking Him no matter what you're feeling. That is worship!!! Do you know how different the Church would look if we stopped viewing worship as an outward act, but as a heart ready and willing to allow God to infiltrate every single part of us? Allowing Him to take away any pride, selfish ambition, idolatry, arguing, jealousy, laziness, anger, dissension, etc. and replace it with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The Church could be so different and such a picture of Christ. No shows, no pretending, no faking it. Genuine, Spirit-led lives that have been completely changed by God.

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives." Galatians 5:24-25

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship." Romans 12:1

"But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and Truth." John 4:23-24