Many Christians today like to listen to contemporary “worship” music that uses musical instruments. They listen to this music for different reasons. It could be to help them worship God, as background music, as entertainment, or to help them relax.
There is no authorization to use musical instruments in worship anywhere in the New Testament. Neither Jesus nor his apostles told anyone to use worship God using musical instruments. There are no examples in the early church of anyone using musical instruments in worship. Historians almost unanimously declare that the early church did not use musical instruments.
Recognizing these facts, and desiring to conform to the New Testament, a Christian may decide to not use musical instruments in church. He may even conclude that he must not use them during his personal time of worship.
But what if he likes to listen to instrumental “worship” music anyway? What if he enjoys the beat and the melodies of this type of music? Is it ok to listen to instrumental “worship” music when driving, for entertainment, or as background music in his home – as long as he is not worshiping God?
This is “worship” music. It is created for the purpose of worshiping God. The musicians who produce this music claim that they are worshiping God in these songs. They use God’s name during the songs and attempt to sing his praise with these songs.
However, this is vain worship, for it is using musical instruments which are unauthorized by God.
Vain worship is wrong. It is sinful.
Of course, the musicians might deny they are worshiping God and claim that their musical “worship” performance is only an act. However, then they would be directly admitting that they are using God’s name in vain and only putting on a show.
Whether the musicians are really attempting to worship God, or they are merely performing, their “worship” music is vain.
Vain worship is not entertaining. It is sin. Sin is not relaxing. God hates vain worship. We must reject all forms vain worship, whether it involves incense, icons, vestments, or musical instruments. We should not only refuse to participate in such “worship” services, but we should not take pleasure in those who offer such “worship.” We cannot worship God with such things, nor should we derive pleasure from those who try.
Music is not necessarily sinful. God created music. He commands us to sing to him and to each other. He wants us to make melody in our hearts to him. A cappella singing is a form of music in worship that pleases God. And there is nothing inherently wrong with playing musical instruments. Listening to musical instruments or singing along with musical instruments is fine. This can be enjoyable, relaxing, or even invigorating. But such instruments are not to be used in the worship of God. There is nothing pleasant, relaxing, entertaining, or good about using musical instruments to “worship” God, because God cannot be worshiped using such instruments, any more than he can be worshiped with any other human inventions.
In conclusion, whether we are active participants or passive listeners, whether we are worshiping with such music or merely using it for entertainment, God is not pleased with instrumental “worship” music. He rejects it. As his children, we must reject it, too.
Bethel Cornerstone 