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Before determining whether specific worship styles are unbiblical, it is essential to define worship. Worship is commonly described as “the act of displaying reverence and adoration for a deity by honoring that deity through religious rituals.” However, worship can encompass more profound meanings. Worship can be more precisely defined as “immersing oneself in the adoration of another.” According to this definition, many forms of worship are unrelated to God or any presumed deity. People may worship rock stars, athletes, and other celebrities, losing themselves in adoration of wealth, fame, and power. Consequently, there exist numerous worship styles and practices that are idolatrous and thus contrary to biblical teachings.
Throughout the Bible, individuals demonstrate godly worship through various means, such as constructing altars, offering burnt sacrifices, praying, and singing. The worship of God or gods was frequently associated with regular service. In fact, God used the phrase “worship and serve” when addressing a people’s loyalty to Him or to an idol (Deuteronomy 5:9;Deuteronomy 11:16;Jeremiah 25:6;Luke 4:8). For the Israelites, worshiping God entailed obeying His commands. Genuine godly worship is a lifestyle intertwined with service, not merely a singular act confined to a location, event, or gesture.
Many individuals nowadays associate worship solely with attending church. While corporate worship does take place when the Body of Christ congregates, it is not the exclusive form of worship. As seen in Acts 2:42–47, the early church members “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” Therefore, these four elements are crucial for a comprehensive worship service. However, due to varying traditions and cultures, worship services worldwide may differ significantly. Some practices, if not carefully monitored, may lead to idolatrous worship.Stored, can take the focus off of God and onto the worship itself, making those worship styles unbiblical. Some of those practices are listed below:
1. Music. Some Christians equate worship with the musical portion of the church service. While music is a vital part of expressing our hearts to God (Psalm 96:1; Psalm 149:1; Exodus 15:1; Ephesians 5:19), the music itself can become the object of our worship. When sensational music is the sum total of the worship experience, we must ask, “What exactly is being worshiped?” When musical style and performance become more important than seeking or glorifying God, music has become a negative. We are no longer worshiping God, but worshiping the experience. If the beat, lyrics, arrangement, or performer takes center stage during a time dedicated to worship, then Jesus is not the one being exalted—our soulish satisfaction has become the star.
2. Personal freedom. In some churches, freedom of expression can become an unbiblical worship style. When those in attendance are more focused upon their own outward manifestations of “worship,” such as running around the room, screaming, or wild flailing of limbs, the corporate gathering has shifted from the worship of God to a contest between uninhibited attendees. Scripture never endorses chaos as part of a corporate gathering. In fact, Paul chastises the Corinthians for allowing their services to get out of control (1 Corinthians 14:26-33). Instead, he reminds the church that everything, including personal freedom of worship, must be done “decently and in order” «Let all things be done decently and in order.», (1 Corinthians 14:40).
3. Lack of joy. On the opposite end of the spectrum, many churches have adopted
They adopted an unscriptural worship style by creating a dreary, solemn atmosphere, lacking any emotion. Many attendees believe they fulfill their obligation to God by enduring an hour of dry orthodoxy once a week, but where were their hearts? They may label this as worship, but it falls short. Jesus criticized this type of joyless legalism when He cited the prophet Isaiah: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Matthew 15:8;cf: Isaiah 29:13). Going through the motions of honoring God while secretly wishing the time away is not worship at all. He takes no pleasure in our joyless offerings “Every man should give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”, (2 Corinthians 9:7).
4. Tradition. Man-made tradition has been the downfall of genuine worship since before Jesus walked the earth. He rebuked it then, and He rebukes it now (Mark 7:7-8;Colossians 2:8). What we sometimes refer to as “worship” is merely a feel-good routine filled with familiar practices passed down from our ancestors. Many individuals identify with a particular religious denomination simply because of their upbringing. They never question the unscriptural traditions, rituals, or customs that this church follows because these practices are so ingrained. Often, these non-biblical practices actually go against biblical truths but are justified by saying, “that’s how we’ve always done it.”
Any worship style can be unscriptural if it lacks sincerity. The Samaritan woman inquired Jesus about worship specifics, and His response is one we should all heed. He stated, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in
Spirit and truth” “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”, (John 4:24). When we exalt the truth of Scripture, when we personally lose ourselves in the adoration of God, we can engage in true worship whether in a crowded cathedral or alone in the desert. When our lives are dedicated to honoring God in all we do, we are living a lifestyle of worship.
