Whorship turns to music wars in the church
Why is there music war in the churches?
I dedicate this writing to my son Simeon who has opened my eyes.
John 4:23 (NIV) 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
John 4:23-24 (Message Bible)
23-24"It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration."
I grew up with one type of music that I liked and it was country and western. When it came to Christian music it had to be the same, and that was the kind of music I would sing, after all that was the type of music that God enjoyed and would receive my worship. That’s what moved his heart, which is what was pleasing to God’s ears. That is what I called true worship. After all it moved me; it made me feel like worship, it was pleasing to my ears so therefore all other music was not for me. And how in the world can God even understand the words to that loud jungle music that is being played these days. Oh and the hymns, I like them, they have some good meaning behind them. But that loud jungle music, nope God can’t work with that. I have even heard other people say “the music these days are taking our young people to hell even the so called Christian music, they need the good ole hymns to save them” I look at my self and ask “when and how did I become so close minded?” When did I put God in a box and dictate to him that my way was the best.
My son Simeon unknowingly has opened my eyes and ears to what is true worship. When I mention the word “worship” what do you think of? Me I think of being in church and singing songs and raising my hands, praising God and WORSHIPING him. Folks, that is not true worship. Let’s look at that verse again in the message bible. This is what true worship is.
“It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. John 4:23-24”
This scripture has nothing to do with the music style, has nothing to do with the goose bumps I do or do not feel. Nothing to do with the tickling of God’s or even my ears. It has to do with how I live my life before God and other people. Am I a true witness, can people see the fruits of the spirit in me? Is my LIFE pleasing to God? Am I practicing what I preach? Am I living in the truth of God’s word? That is true worship. While music and singing is a form of worship it is not the true worship, (23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth,) Living a true and spiritual life before God.
Simeon has opened my eyes with the style of music he listens to; yes it is the opposite of mine but lately I have listened to a few of his songs that are godly songs that speak to his heart, that he offers up to God in worship that he feels that God hears his heart. I have to tell you it has changed my mind, it doesn’t matter how loud or how soft the music is, get past that and listen to the words. I know when he shares a song I automatically do a search for the lyrics so I can see what they are saying while they sing. If it moves my son to God and he can worship God in truth and in spirit and be himself then I can change how I feel about the styles of music.
As I stand up in front of the congregation on Sunday’s leading worship I have said a few times how God’s word says we are to make a joyful NOISE, it doesn’t say it has to be this way or that way, it says noise. I believe that the noise I make to him in worship is beautiful sounds to him after all look at all the churches that meet on Sundays for worship and each parts of the world are worshiping and singing at once and not just at once but different songs. Now if I was to turn on just five different radios on different channels and each channel is playing a different song I know I couldn’t take much of that noise. I would be running to turn them off. But God hears them all at once and it is beautiful to his ears. Why does Satan want to destroy worship with music? Because he knows how much God loves that type of worship for one, and how does he know that? Satan known as Lucifer is a fallen angel who was the head of the ministry of music in Heaven (when he was in heaven.) It has been said of him he was the most beautiful of ALL angels and he was the director of the flow of music there (Praise and Worship). Of course, now he no longer is….. But there are several scriptural references throughout the bible that speak of his previous authority over music when he was in heaven. One is Isa.14:11 – “Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.”
This verse right here is speaking of his fall from heaven, and how all of the glory he had, and the gifts he had fell with him. The noises of thy viols mean the stringed instruments he had charge over. But yes, actually throughout the bible in scriptures in the books of Ezekiel, Job, Isaiah, even Psalms upon speaking of his past life…it tells us he was the minister of music there. Of course he no longer is now though.
Lucifer means “morning star.” Job 38:7 – When the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy.
Lucifer was basically a walking talking musical instrument.
Satan does not want us to worship God in music or worship any other way. He wants to destroy all forms of worship. To me the music wars are noting but selfish desires. It's what I want, my type of music. Instead of letting your heart do the worship your attitude gets in the way of true worship. Forget about the surroundings, forget about what kind of song we are singing and just worship God.
So I pray that the churches and people will stop this music war that is going on in the world and churches today and in all reality it has been going on for ages and let God freely minister to anyone in their style of music. Remember music worship is just one form of worship.
Simeon, thank you for opening up and sharing the music you love. And I now praise God for the loud jungle music that is ministering to you, Love you.
Carrieg
