Face the Music


One thing that kept me away from Christianity during my younger years was religious ideas regarding music. Some church folk preaches against genres of music they hate, such as hard rock and rap. After becoming a believer, I learned of one denomination that prohibits musical instruments during worship services. They only allow a cappella singing.

A meme circulating online lists the following reasons why some believers are against instrumental music for worship (along with Scripture references to defend their beliefs):

  • Was not commanded by Christ (Matthew 28:18-20, Colossians 3:17)
  • Goes beyond the doctrine of Christ, and adds to the Word of God (2 John 9-11)
  • Makes worship vain (Matthew 15:1-9)
  • Is not a part of true worship (John 4:24)
  • Is not a part of “the truth” of the Apostles (John 16:13; 17:17)
  • Is not walking by faith (Roman 10:17)

I find these narrow interpretations of God’s word ridiculous. Laptops, tablets, and smartphones aren’t in the Bible. Wouldn’t that mean one should avoid electronic devices to share legalistic ideas like these? 


When possible, I like to spend part of the afternoon “soaking.” Often I use instrumental music playing on my Mac or iPad while lying still before the Lord. Doing this quiets my mind and helps me relax. Sometimes God speaks to me in visions.


The Old Testament has many examples of God’s people using musical instruments while worshipping the Lord. Miriam played the tambourine in Exodus 15:20. David playing the harp in 1 Samuel 16 relieved King Saul from an evil spirit. Psalm 150:4-6 encourages us to praise Him with the sound of the trumpet, the lute, the timbrel, stringed instruments, flutes, and loud clashing cymbals. 


It’s insanity to suggest it’s wrong for Christians to play a guitar or piano under the New Covenant. Neither Jesus nor the Apostles forbade musical instruments during gatherings. 1 Corinthians 14 talks about the use the flutes and harps. When the rapture happens, we will hear the sound of a trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16). Revelation 14:2 mentions harpists in heaven.


Psalm 33:2-3 says, “Praise the Lord with the harp; Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.” I’ve attended countless meetings where musicians ushered in the presence of God with their playing. So don’t let religious people squelch your worship. Whether you use musical instruments, singing, or both, do it for His glory!


“Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp.” - Psalm 149:3

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Gospel Soul Winning Script

Image
During my early days with evangelism, I developed an approach called the Survey Technique . By asking short direct questions, you can maintain control of the conversation and find out quickly what a person’s spiritual beliefs are. Although the Survey Technique has helped me lead thousands to the Lord, I’m still open to utilizing new methods in reaching people with the gospel. Rodney Howard-Browne 's ministry uses a tool called the Gospel Soul-Winning Script , which originated during their Good News New York campaign in 1999. I became familiar with it a few years later during evangelism outreaches with Rodney’s church in Tampa, Florida. At first, I resisted using the script. I found it restrictive and thought sinners wouldn’t be receptive to me reading the whole thing to them. Then while taking part in a 2009 outreach with Rodney’s ministry in Washington, D.C., my team leader asked me to “stick with the script.” Wanting to maintain unity, I complied with his request. Initially it fe
Read more

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Image
Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.”   He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.”   He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.”   I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it. Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota.   I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend.   During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also. Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.”   This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together.   I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of two or three witnesses.  
Read more

Is That Gold Dust Real?

Image
Twenty years ago I made my first visit to Calvary Campground in Ashland, Virginia. One of the speakers for their Winter Campmeeting was a Brazilian named Silvania Machado. After standing on the platform for about twenty minutes during praise and worship, Sister Silvania brushed gold dust out of her short blonde hair plus had oil flow from her hands. I didn’t dismiss these signs but questioned the purpose of them. A few people in the congregation later testified of being healed. I’ve seen gold manifestations at other places. The year before during a church service in Oklahoma, the fillings in my mouth changed from black to a whitish-gold color. Other people supernaturally received gold teeth (I later met a man in Germany who received four of them). I’ve also seen gold dust appear on ministers such as Joshua Mills while they are preaching. Although I don’t seek after signs like this, gold dust has shown up on my face and in my Bible. One time with the latter, I found some w
Read more