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 into 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 Romans 12:1-2. If not we will be conformed to the world and imitate them.
“I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 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 my advice is hard to swallow because of the overemphasis on emotional “feel good” contemporary Christian music and songs, I think he understands. Once in a while, 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 or 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 Leader/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—these false innocent looks on a worship singer with occasional tosses of the hair and sensual openness can be very close to lust.
Worshipping together can become soulish to the point of pushing relationships into sensuality. The afterglow 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 the “come hither” look when leading an intimate worship song. This 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 intimacy with Jesus reveal demonic intrusion where purity should reign,” Lynch continued. “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,” he said. “Get some help.”
He is holy. {eoa}
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