If you are like me, when the word worship is mentioned you automatically relate that with the raising of your hands, closing your eyes, and mediating on God. Some may get quiet, others may use music. But, what if I tell you that is not how you worship God. What if I told you that doing those things are 'physical reactions' of worship. They do not define what worship is nor must you do them when worshipping.
Hear me out...hear me out...
I grew up in a Pentecostal Church;very charismatic, we emphasize the "acts" of worship. I was taught that worship was more of a physical manifestation. Getting in the spirit was a common act that came with praise and worship. It was something we all did. Very often you would witness someone running around the sanctuary shouting with joy. Another person may have been in the corner doing the funky chicken hallelujah dance. For me, seeing these things wasn't a big deal. People were filled with his spirit and were expressing it publicly; worshipping God. I too, have been known to do a James Brown Thank You Jesus Two Step...
I am not saying that these acts cannot be done when worshipping. I am suggesting that there may be some confusion throughout the Body of Christ as to what worship truly is.The lifting of hands, musical instruments...all of the those things that we have adopted from tradition are not required to worship. In these last days, we have to operate with discernment and with self control. We cannot become distracted by what we see and what we feel. According to His Word, there is only one way to worship God, in spirit and in truth.
John 4:23-24 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. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
Worship- reverent honor and homage paid to God (exhibiting respect to God)
In order to Worship the Father you have to have the spirit of God. God who is spirit must dwell inside of you. There has also been some confusion with this. To be indwelt with his spirit simply means you must have his Spirit, not that his Spirit makes you do, feel, or experience something unusual.
Lately I found myself asking God, "How is it that I know these things? How is it that when I speak to someone I can tap in to what is going on in their life?" I think just last week, I called my BFF to repent and ask for prayer. Dana can confirm this. I said to her, "Lately I've been using the phrase "In my spirit" a lot. I have seen and been apart of people operating in their flesh and saying that they were being led by the spirit. I wanted an accountability check to be sure that I am not operating in my flesh. The things that have been happening to me spiritually have been very different from what I am used to. I am still trying to comprehend all that God is doing. Either way, what God showed me is that I am being led by Truth. The more we humble ourselves and submit to God, give him control, follow his word in truth, he that dwells in us will be exalted in us. Submission can cause us to move like God. Speak like God. Think like God. Again-everything has balance. Please don't twist my words. Lord Jesus, I don't want to see on FB: Baya said, "We are Gods." oh my...
To Worship God you must be SAVED
The only way to get to the father is through Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ has informed us that he is the way, the truth and the life. To worship God you must exhibit respect for God and the things of God, showing his seniority over your life. Nowhere in the scripture does it reference that we must worship using instruments, or by lifting our hands. The scripture says, "In spirit and in truth."
John 14:6 KJV:Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (you must be saved Rom.10:9)
Romans 8:8-9:8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.
To Worship God you must be able to discern The Truth
2 Tim 3:16:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness
2 Tim. 2:15:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1 Cor. 2:11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 16But we have the mind of Christ.
Remember in John 4:19, the Samaritan woman questioned Jesus on where to worship. Jesus corrected her and told her it's not about where you worship, it's about how you worship. Worship again...In Spirit and In Truth. Having God inside of you and living holy every single day, every hour, every minute that is worshipping God. Romans 8:5&10:5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
To Worship God you must live in Truth
In order to Worship God you must do what he says. Doing is the real physical act of Worship. James 1:22: But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says.
Once we can discern the truth, we can do what the truth instructs.
1 John 2:3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.
So to Worship God in Spirit and in Truth means:
- Become Saved to be indwelt with his Spirit
- Study the scriptures through the Holy Spirit to find and understand the Truth
- Through the power of the Holy Spirit Live in the Truth by obeying and doing what the Word says.
There may be times where you want to physically react to the Lord as you Worship. You may want to praise and honor Him in physical ways. Laying prostrate before him in prayer, clapping your hands, singing of his glory, playing a instrument, lifting your arms in his presence, stomping your feet with dance, or shouting, "amen" at the top of your lungs, are some ways you may do that. Just remember, those actions are our response to worship, they are not, in themselves, the act of worship. Also keep in mind, to worship means to honor and show respect to God. Amen for the praise team and the church choir, your actions in front of others during public worship should be displayed RESPECTFULLY. Never forget that true worship will draw attention to the one being honored, not to you. Displaying actions are fine but living a life that is holy and pleasing to God is how we worship in spirit and in truth according to his word.
Heb 12:28 NLT: 28 Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe.
Baya...that Godly Diva
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