Worshiping the Lord is a reverential gesture of commitment, surrender and renewal but today the purpose seems to have changed. Even things that has a good purpose can become an idol. The bronze serpent lifted by Moses is a great example. It symbolized God's grace and mercy. Hundreds of years later Hezekiah had to destroy it because it was now being worshipped! They even gave it a name: Nehushtan! “He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake that Moses made, for until then the Israelites were burning incense to it. It was called Nehushtan.” 2 Kings 18:4 CSB.
“Worship” these days is often more pagan than Christian. People relate to the worship bands and worship leader than God – the very object of worship. It is no longer about reverent obedience to the Sovereign God of Scripture, but about the pagan practice of conjuring up intense feelings for some man-made god or deity. An expectation is created that the more we surrender to the intense, manipulated emotions generated by some band, song, or trendy “worship leader,” the more God will be present. It has become the new idolatry, by equating manipulated feelings with God Himself. It is an addictive distraction from who God is, and how He wants to dwell among us and in us as the Sovereign Lord over all creation. The definition of true worship as stated in Romans 12:1 has become just inspirational thought than true surrender. “Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God”.
Worship has become big business, with mega churches striking mega recording deals … Unfortunately, it will continue to thrive. Jim Right states, “because just like the pagans, people still want a God who appeals to their carnality and is easy to manipulate.”. If the worship is not transforming your heart creating a change from within, then you are disconnected. Churches and worship bands today try to invoke intense emotions then call it a true encounter with God. No doubt, true encounter with God will invoke intense emotions but if it is not associated with a clean and pure heart then it is a fleshy manipulation posing as “worship.”
When “church” and “worship” are about stirring up carnal feelings, God is not there. That thing you feel is not about God but more about you. Today, the Church buildings are monumental and expensive, pews upon pews of spectators seated, watching staged weekly performances are all worship band centric, showcasing their "gifting" and "ministry." When Abraham took his son to worship, he meant sacrifice as worship “….the boy and I will go over there to worship; then we’ll come back to you.” Genesis 22:5. The first time the word worship is used in the Bible. Worship requires a sacrifice, giving up those tucked up desires or acknowledging those unintentional sins. Can we surrender to God and commit ourselves to use our discretion to stay away from anything that is so close, yet only a form of godliness (2 Timothy 3:5).
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