If I enjoy instrumental music in worship, why shouldn’t I use it?

Bob Prichard

Topic(s): God’s Will, Worship

God intended for those who worship Him to enjoy their worship. Worship is a special time for those who share the common faith to come together to praise and honor the Father. It is a time of joy for God’s people. They should have the attitude of David who said, I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD (Psalm 122:1). Remember, God is the object of our worship, and we must do only what He has authorized, no matter how much we may personally enjoy something. In rejecting Satan’s temptation, Jesus said, It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve (Matthew 4:10). This indicates that only the Lord has the right to determine what we do in worship, and He reveals that through His written word.

Jesus told the woman at the well, the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24). He pointed out that true worshipers worship God; that they must worship Him in spirit and in truth (they cannot choose between worship in spirit or in truth, but must do both); and God seeks such worshipers.

In every passage of Scripture that speaks of the kind of music authorized in the church, singing is the only kind of music mentioned. For example, Paul wrote, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord (Colossians 3:16).