Worship Songs Teach Theology

How would you define a “worship song”? 

A good definition is: a song that is to and about the Triune God, sung in such a way that encourages corporate participation. 

• Who is the song to?

• What is the song about?

• What is being taught?

Often, songs do not have a clearly defined recipient (Is this to God? The church? Myself? Non-Christians? The enemy?). Sadly, many songs are about our own life hardships or, strangely enough, worship itself. There are many songs that are not worship; they are songs about worship. 

When we write songs or lead songs, we want to be sure of two things:

1. Is the song supported by Scripture and

2. Is the song theologically accurate?

SONGS TEACH THEOLOGY:

Teachers are held to a higher standard. 

“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1, NKJV)

Worship leaders should know theology and theory. No excuse.

We will stand before God one day and answer for the songs we lead and wrote.

“So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.” (2 Corinthians 5:9-11, NLT)

Songs are usually remembered and repeated more throughout the week than sermons.

“When you preach, you’re putting words in people’s ears. When you sing, you’re putting words in people’s mouths.”

Our singing not only reveals our theology but shapes it as well.

• Do you know what you are singing

• Do you believe what you are singing

• Is it about the “feels” or about the truth of scripture?

The study of theology is not merely a theoretical exercise of the intellect. It is a study of the living God and of the wonders of all His works in creation and redemption. We cannot study this subject dispassionately!

We must love all that God is, all that He says, and all that He does. “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart” (Deut. 6:5). Our response to the study of the theology of Scripture should be that of the psalmist who said, “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God!” (Ps. 139:17). 

You want the people you lead to sing and declare songs about God and His Character and attributes. Accept nothing less.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16-17, ESV)

We cannot go wrong when we write songs and lead songs about God and His attributes. You will never fail or get it wrong.

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Worship Leaders Need Oil

So often, worship leaders hear the latest songs and want to include them in their set without spending time with them or genuinely understanding their meaning. Thoughts like “The team would crush this song!” Or “I like the way this song sounds” can be why songs are added to sets. Instead, Worship leaders and pastors should spend time with the songs they lead in the secret place. I do not mean practicing the song (that is important too, but should come after); I mean actually worshiping Jesus with the song and creating history with the song. 

The oil will be evident when we spend time worshiping in the secret place with our songs and sets. But we do not get oil from just adding songs to our sets and practicing them. Just as preachers should not read their Bibles only to craft a message, worship leaders should not choose songs without oil and history. If we don’t have oil, it can unintentionally become a performance. Spending time with the songs in the secret place with our instruments and Bibles open will transform how we lead. 

Worship leaders and pastors teach theology through the songs they lead. This is why we must not just listen to a song and choose to do it because it sounds cool or we like it. We must contemplate the lyrics, open our Bibles, find what the songs pull from scripture, and discover the correct biblical context. 

We should know what we are singing and what we are leading others to sing. As teachers, through song, we will be held to a stricter judgment. “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (James 3:1). We are not just singing songs as the bookends of a church service. Every song we lead teaches theology; now, we must ask ourselves if the theology is correct and if we even know what we are singing.

1. Don’t just listen to worship music to create a set. Worship Jesus to songs, and from that place, create your sets.

2. Get alone with God and songs that you feel led to lead. Look at Him and sing them right to Him. 

3. Open your Bible and learn where the song is from in scripture.

4. Look up the artist to see if they have a song story about how and why they wrote the song.

5. Encourage your team to do the same thing with the sets each week!

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The Consequences of Criticizing Worship: Lessons from Michal's Barrenness

In the realm of worship, King David serves as a powerful example of someone with a heart fully devoted to God. He was unafraid to set aside his dignity and become "even more undignified" in his worship because he recognized the worthiness of God. However, there is another side to this story—a cautionary tale that teaches us an important lesson about the danger of criticizing dancing in worship.

Let's take a moment to reflect on the story of Michal, David's wife. From the window of her house, she witnessed David's exuberant dance before the Lord and felt nothing but disgust. She despised his passionate display of love for God and couldn't contain her resentment. Confronting David upon his return, she let her criticism of his extravagant worship. Little did she know that her words would have far-reaching consequences.

Michal's barrenness, her inability to bear children, was a direct result of her criticism towards her husband's worship of God. It's a sobering reminder that criticism always leads to barrenness in our lives. This unfortunate outcome reveals the destructive power of judgment and negative words when directed at the heartfelt expressions of worship.

The impact of this lesson struck me personally many years ago when my husband and I stumbled upon a worship video online. We came across a man playing a conch shell, and confusion immediately took hold of us. We began to mock and ridicule the unconventional form of worship we witnessed. Regrettably, we didn't stop there. We shared it with others, inviting them to join in our criticism and laughter. It became an inside joke that persisted for months.

Then came the day when God decided to teach us a lesson—a lesson that shook us to the core. While watching one of our favorite preachers, he shared a powerful encounter that had marked his life. As he described the experience, my husband and I instantly recognized the exact worship video we had once ridiculed. To our astonishment, this seemingly odd worship set had not only impacted our beloved preacher but had also served as a defining moment for numerous renowned ministers. Testimonies began pouring in, attesting to how that worship leader had transformed the lives of people we deeply admired.

Our hearts were filled with remorse, and we immediately repented of our ignorant and sinful criticism. God led us to 2 Samuel 6, where we gained further insight into the consequences of our actions. Barrenness, we discovered, extended beyond the physical inability to conceive. Criticism breeds barrenness in every area of our lives—our careers, callings, finances, and more. No one is exempt from this reality, and we cannot expect God's approval while we tear down someone else's worship of Him.

Whether it's dancing or any other form of worship, criticizing these heartfelt expressions brings barrenness upon ourselves. It robs us of joy, peace, and blessings. Is it truly worth harboring bitterness and resentment for the rest of our lives? Instead of focusing on how others choose to worship, let us reflect on our own surrender and devotion to the Creator of the universe. Rather than comparing ourselves to others, let us seek ways to deepen our own connection with God, surrendering in obedience and falling ever more in love with Him.

To serve as a constant reminder of our transformation, my husband and I acquired a conch shell—a symbol of the worship we had once ridiculed. We keep it prominently displayed as a tangible representation of our commitment to never criticize someone else's worship again. We eagerly share our story with others, hoping to prevent them from making the same mistake.

If we desire to become true worshipers who worship in spirit and truth, we must lay down the pride and selfishness that drives us to compare ourselves to others. Criticism, at its core, is a futile attempt to compensate for our own shortcomings and lack of wholehearted worship and surrender.

Instead, let us embrace a heart of humility and awe as we approach God in worship. Let us remember that worship is a beautiful and deeply personal expression of our love for Him. Who are we to judge how others choose to surrender and worship the Almighty? Our focus should always be on God and how we respond to His presence, rather than fixating on the actions of those around us.

When doubts or temptations to criticize arise, redirect your gaze to the One who deserves our utmost devotion. Seek ways to cultivate a genuine and intimate connection with Him. Engage in heartfelt worship that reflects your unique relationship with God. Let your worship be marked by surrender, obedience, and an ever-growing love for the One who created and redeemed us.

As we learn from the cautionary tale of Michal and the lesson God taught me and my husband, let us not allow criticism to poison our lives. Barrenness in its various forms can seep into every area of our existence when we choose to tear down rather than build up. Instead, let our words and actions be filled with grace, encouragement, and support for our fellow worshipers.

So, the next time you are tempted to criticize someone's dancing, singing, or any other form of worship, remember the lesson from Michal's life. Remember the consequences of barrenness that accompany such judgment. Choose to foster an atmosphere of acceptance and celebration, where each person is free to express their love for God in their own unique way.

May our lives be marked by humility, love, and a deep reverence for the God we worship. May we become true worshipers who worship in spirit and truth, laying down our pride and selfishness for the sake of experiencing the fullness of God's presence and blessings.

In the end, let us be known as a community that uplifts, supports, and encourages one another in our worship, rather than one that tears down and criticizes. For in embracing a heart of worship, we find fulfillment, joy, and a deeper connection with the One who created us for this very purpose.

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