NOT ENOUGH STRINGS ARE BEING STRUCK

Praying and praising God in other tongues is like striking the strings of a guitar, so clear direction, inspiration, revelation, prophecy and interpretation can come in our understanding. It is an area that is virtually unexplored in much of the body of Christ today.

I’ve been pouring these things into some of the young adults here at our church, but for most of them, it’s unfamiliar territory. The younger generation must learn true worship in the Spirit. In fact, it starts with Roman’s 12:1-2. If not we will be conformed to the world and imitate them.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Let me preface what I’m about to strongly tell you. Many will be offended at this. It is a sacred cow that must be killed and chopped up.

ANOTHER SPIRIT

There is another spirit that has inhabited many of our worship teams and Christian concert bands today. It is of the world, and not of the Father. I’ve had to talk to my 27 year old musician/worship leader son about this. Although hard to swallow because of the overemphasis on emotional “feel good” contemporary Christian music and songs, I think he is understanding. Once in awhile, in reference to older Christian songs and hymns, these young adults will frequently think and say, “that's old school”, but in the Spirit there is no old school, new school. If you are not living in Romans 12:1-2 you will not learn what it truly means to worship in spirit and in truth.

UNHOLY WORSHIP LEADERS/TEAMS

In an effort to produce intimacy in congregations and audiences, worship leaders can be sensual and even seductive if they’re not careful. I don’t mean to be sacrilegious or crude, but it’s almost as if lovers of Jesus are likened to sexual partners with God.

The hair over the face, the pouty gaze, the kind of look derived from pagan music videos that seduces and entices the flesh to say, “take me”. These false innocent looks on a worship singer with occasional tosses of the hair and sensual openness can be very close to lust.

Worshiping together can become soulish to the point of pushing relationships into sensuality. The after glow of worship becomes more Jezebel than Jesus because the soul posture is a mimicry of vulnerability.

TEACH PURITY AND SANCTIFICATION TO WORSHIP LEADERS AND TEAMS

Someone should teach worship leaders to avoid this “come hither” look when leading an intimate worship song. There is almost this dress down look thingie going on with the floppy dance moves that say “ laid down lover.” But this also emanates from a place in the soul one tick away from something reserved for one’s spouse.

The late Don Lynch, whose fatherly tough voice I sorely miss, had this to say:

“Jesus ain’t your lover. That’s demonic. Association of sexuality with worship is a confusion too common in contemporary music. Moving from songs about love that are wholly wicked, to songs about intimacy with Christ is inappropriate. Weaving this feeling into worship leads to inappropriate behaviors.

I’m surprised no one discusses this with the worship leaders/teams.

“Some testimonies of sex with Jesus reveal demonic intrusion where purity should reign. He isn’t really kissing you on the lips. He isn’t close dancing with you. He isn’t romantic in that sense at all. Jesus ain’t your boyfriend or girlfriend or sensual lover.

“Leading worship with bedroom eyes might sell, but it is sad in all manner of ways. Get some help.”

He is Holy…