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Answer
The significance of the New Testament Greek term most commonly translated as “worship” (proskuneo) is “to prostrate oneself before” or “to kneel before.” Worship is a condition (an attitude) of the spirit. As it is an internal, personal action, it can and should be carried out consistently (or continuously) in our lives, irrespective of location or circumstance «Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. », (John 4:21). Therefore, Christians engage in worship at all times, every day of the week. Even when Christians gather formally for worship, the focus should still be on individual adoration of the Lord. Even within a congregation, participants should recognize that they are personally worshiping God entirely.
The essence of Christian worship emanates from within and consists of two equally vital components. We must worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). Worshipping in spirit is not related to our physical position. It pertains to our innermost selves and necessitates several elements. Firstly, we must experience spiritual rebirth. Without the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are unable to worship God because we do not truly know Him. “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.” «For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. », (1 Corinthians 2:11b). The Holy Spirit dwelling within us is the one who empowers worship as He essentially glorifies Himself, and all genuine worship brings glory to God.
Secondly, worshiping in spirit necessitates a mind focused on God and renewed by Truth. Paul encourages
It instructs us to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” «I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. », (Romans 12:1b, 2b). Only when our minds are changed from being centered on worldly things to being centered on God can we worship in spirit. Distractions of many kinds can flood our minds as we try to praise and glorify God, hindering our true worship.
Third, we can only worship in spirit by having a pure heart, open and repentant. When King David’s heart was filled with guilt over his sin with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11), he found it impossible to worship. He felt that God was far from him, and he “groaned all day long” feeling God’s hand heavy upon him «When I kept silence, my bones waxed old Through my roaring all the day long. », (Psalm 32:3,4) «For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: My moisture is turned into the drought of summer. », (Psalm 32:3,4). But when he confessed, fellowship with God was restored and worship and praise poured forth from him. He understood that “the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart” «The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. », (Psalm 51:17). Praise and worship toward God cannot come from hearts filled with unconfessed sin.
The second part of true worship is worship “in truth.” All worship is a response to truth, and that which is truth is contained in the Word of God.If God. Jesus said to His Father, “Thy word is truth” «Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. », (John 17:17b). Psalm 119 says, “Thy law is truth” (v. 142b) and “Thy word is true” (v. 160a). To truly worship God, we must understand who He is and what He has done, and the only place He has fully revealed Himself is in the Bible. Worship is an expression of praise from the depths of our hearts toward a God who is understood through His Word. If we do not have the truth of the Bible, we do not know God and we cannot be truly worshiping.
Since external actions are unimportant in Christian worship, there is no rule regarding whether we should sit, stand, fall down, be quiet, or sing praises loudly while in corporate worship. These things should be decided based on the nature of the congregation. The most important thing is that we worship God in spirit (in our hearts) and in truth (in our minds.)
