True Worship: What Does It Look Like?

In many Christian circles, the question is asked: "What does it mean to worship God? What does it look like? What songs should we sing (or not sing)?"

Throughout church history, worship has varied widely. From Gregorian chants in Latin to songs written to common tunes, Magnificent, awe-filled hymns, to modern worship choruses, how can we know if we're worshipping God?

So what is the right choice?

When considering our worship of the Lord, it is important that we realize Who we are worshipping! We are worshipping the King of the universe! The Lord of all, Who stepped down to earth, humbled Himself, gave His life so we can spend eternity with Him!

With this in mind, I think there are three things we need to consider when we worship the Lord:

1. What are we singing?

Regardless of the style of our song, what are we singing? Are they lyrics we are singing God Honoring? Do the lyrics make us feel better or do they lift up our Savior? Are we singing to the Lord or singing about Him?

I'm not going to claim that I know the right form of worship. I think that there are many styles of God-honoring worship. But at the same time I have heard some songs that aren't worshipful. I think sometimes we can lean towards the tendency to think the song talks about God - it must be Christian or good. But not everything is.

Ultimately, regardless of style, our worship of God should be to honor Him, to lay our lives at His feet and give Him the glory He deserves!

Psalm 19:14 says - "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer."

While this verse is mainly talking about our conversational words, I think it also applies to our worship.

Do the words we sing reflect a personal relationship with the Lord? Do they reflect our reverence of Him?

2. Where is our heart?

The book of Matthew gives us a startling reality: 

"'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, 
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ” [Matthew15:8-9]


Sometimes it is so easy to go to church, mumble the words, and leave thinking we were worshipping God. But was it really worship?

We all get distracted sometimes, but our heart attitude truly determines what is worship, even more than the song. We may be singing the most worshipful song ever, but if our heart is not there, what good are the words?

Where is our heart?

"Search me, O God, and know my heart..."

3. Does our life reflect our worship?

Our lives should reflect the God we worship. Ultimately, this is the greatest way we can worship the Lord - through our lives! Not just our words or our songs, but our actions. Our choices, not just our spoken adoration. Our lives fully surrendered, not just on Sunday.

1 John 3:18 says it well - "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." 

Do we live everyday worshipping the Lord through our lives? Does our life reflect Who we worship?

May we truly worship God with our words, our hearts, and our actions!

I hope you are challenged and encouraged! 

Do you have thoughts on this topic? Please comment below! :)