Singing with the Spirit One of the greatest joys and privileges known to man is singing! So it is when we focus our attention on the Lord; those who are members of the church of our Lord come together to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through the Messiah (1 Pet. 2:5). This opportunity which has been afforded to us should be done with the spirit (1 Cor. 14:15). Singing with the spirit, fortunately, can be done publicly and privately. This is a time for appropriate adoration and authorized devotion unto God. With such great swelling words, expressed with a colossal of feelings and intellect, we can draw near unto our God in righteous praise and thanksgiving which is due to Him! So what is singing with the spirit? Singing with the spirit can be viewed as singing with intellect, volition, and meaning which should rule our feelings while singing to God! We must keep in mind that God made us emotional beings as well. This will play a part in our worship to God, yet it should not cause us to be irreverent towards Him. If we could sum up First Corinthians fourteen, we would have to conclude Paul is dealing with intellect and understanding as being the foundation. The reason for this is because God’s nature is intelligent and full of understanding and holy emotion. Hence the reason we should sing intelligently and even emotionally unto the Lord. Keep in mind when many fell down before God they showed emotion and control, which means that every now and then a song may cause crying and/or happiness. God is spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). He is a God of mind, intellect and will! In the beginning God spoke the world into existence; this implies intelligence and language (Gen. 1). It’s known according to First Corinthians 2 that the mind of God was revealed through the Spirit of God. It was the Spirit who intelligently expressed thoughts to man, showing and demonstrating to mankind how he should honor, adore, revere, and esteem God in all aspects of life including worship (1 Cor. 2:11-13). Now that man has God’s word, he is without excuse on how to sing to God according to the dispensation under which he lives (1 Cor. 9:20-21). Hence the reason we are to sing with the spirit (intellect, attitude and will) unto God. So the spirit under consideration is man’s spirit and NOT the Holy Spirit Himself. Paul taught the Thessalonians of their tripartite make-up, it showed them how they were made up of body, soul and spirit (1 Thess. 5:23). Our design is consistent with that with which we are to worship the Lord; hence, the reason our whole being is involved in worship to God. It is evident, according to Psalm 150 and other well known passages, that mechanical instruments were used. However, in the church of the New Testament there is no evidence of them being used in worship to God until the early eighth century. This is one of many reasons the churches of Christ sing without the aid of instruments. Thus singing with the spirit becomes even more beautiful and meaningful. We are to sing with the right attitude (spirit) which comes forth from our hearts (Col. 3:16). Singing from our hearts will cause us to think about the grandeur of God and the blessings He has bestowed upon us spiritually, materially, and otherwise! This will even cause us to be edified when we come together in the assembly on the Lord’s Day (Heb. 10:24; Rev. 1:10). Singing great spiritual songs will enhance our devotion to God. Paul was exhorting the brethren to sing spiritual songs and make melody in their hearts to the Lord. So singing songs that are governed by the law of Christ (His word) should encourage us to always sing scriptural songs which represent God accurately. The church should use every opportunity to demonstrate the correct attitude in worship to God. Whether or not the congregation is assembled or singing individually to Him, the Christian’s attitude should be that of high honor and praise to God. This attitude of admiration will be cultivated from allowing God’s word to dwell in us richly (Col. 3:16). Our singing will aid in admonishing one another, thus showing us the right way through song service. Let us always use the best individuals when leading singing to God! Let us endeavor to sing out to God in worship, exclaiming the richness of His presence as we esteem to the Highest. Let us never forget that He is the audience of worship and we’re the ones seeking His approval while glorifying Him. Let us therefore sing with the spirit.
Posted on: Tue, 24 Sep 2013 20:46:24 +0000
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