By Cindy Phillips
If you ask 10 people what worship is you will get 10 different answers. Each person has their own idea as to what constitutes “acceptable” worship. As children of God, bought and paid for by the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ, we should turn to the Bible to see what God says true worship is. Does God receive all worship? No! Since it is God we are worshiping, we need to understand what He says it is as opposed to trying to worship God in our own way.
Take a look at John, Chapter 4 verses 7 – 24
Jesus’ discussion with the Samaritan woman reveals a contrast between true worship and false worship. In 722 bc, when the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered by Sargon, the Assyrian, and scores of Israelites were taken away, the only ones left in the north were the poor. Over time, these poor Israelites intermarried with idolatrous pagan people, and their descendants constituted the hybrid group known as the Samaritans. The Samaritans developed their own kind of worship at Mount Gerizim. Jesus said true worship is done in spirit and in truth.
In the Old Testament, God’s people began to worship according to the pagan people around them. God had prescribed how He wanted to be worshiped and told the people of Israel to observe His commands. Yet, they became a burden to Him. You read that right; God was weary of bearing them. He said through the prophet Amos, “Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen” (Amos 5:23). To paraphrase, He was saying I don’t want to see your festivals. I don’t want your prayers. I don’t want your offerings. I don’t want the animal sacrifices. I don’t even want your music. Your hearts aren’t right.
Another example of worship God did not receive is found in Matt 15:7-9 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men
So worship is not about the music. It’s not about the type of music. While we all have music preferences (music that we like), God is not looking at the music. He’s also not looking at the words. What does God look at to see if worship is acceptable to Him? The heart! When you are in a gathering of believers and worshiping, if you are paying attention to the music, the type of music, the performance of the singer, etc. you are missing it. Worship the Lord in your spirit and in truth, giving glory and honor to Him alone. This is true worship!