Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Worship as the benchmark of Integrity

I am in the middle of an intense 40 day Bible study called “A Call To Die” by David Nasser.

Yesterday’s section of the book was all about worship.

Too often, the concept of worship is confusing to us. We think that it is the hour on Sunday morning when you put on your Sunday best to sing songs. We often miss the point of true worship. Some may be confused that raising your hands or being expressionate during worship songs is the highest form of worship. Raising our hands when we sing is not the highest form of worship.

When we are walking with Christ, our lives are acts of worship all day every day. Every single thing we do to honor God is worship. Worship is a lifestyle, not just a group of songs. (Romans 12:1)

However, during a section of yesterday’s reading, Nasser did talk about the importance of corporate worship. His main point was that we need to pay close attention to what we are singing.

He suggested that the worship songs we sing should be the benchmark of integrity in our lives. He writes…

"Think about the words and the message they express. If they don’t communicate your heart, and if you don’t want to use the song as a prayer for God to change you, be honest about it. Don’t sing. I hope some of us will have the courage to close our mouths and sit down when a song doesn’t match our heart’s desire. When those around you are singing, “Lord, you are more precious than silver,” be honest with God and with yourself about the condition of your heart. If you want your heart to change, sing passionately. If you’d rather value other things more than Jesus, don’t sing. Worship in spirit and truth (John 4:23). Be authentic in your heart. God can handle your honesty, and being real with him might be a turning point in your walk of faith."

What do you think? Are you letting worship be the benchmark of your integrity?

2 comments:

Josh Herndon said...

I always hated singing "I Could Sing of Your Love Forever" because of the bridge:

"Oh, I feel like dancing -
it's foolishness I know;
but, when the world has seen the light,
they will dance with joy,
like we're dancing now."

But I've never been in a worship service with people dancing during this song. LIES!

Steve Moore said...

I agree... I also hate singing the song friend of God... were alot more than freinds to God...