I will sing with the spirit! - Joey Ferrell

Tonight was “singing night” at the local congregation where we attend. About once a month, we gather together to focus on singing songs of praise in worship to God, giving us a chance to learn songs that we may not normally sing, and allow for those who normally do not lead singing to be able to join in as a part of their service to God - whereas other times they may not have opportunity. As we were singing, i was reminded of a verse that may be overlooked in the idea of what our God wants in worship to Him.

…I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.

1 Corinthians 14:15

In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul is addressing what we know as an assembly of worship together and gives instruction and correction to some things that needed to be considered. One of these items seems to be the confusion of what is expected to be orderly in worship. Paul addresses multiple challenges leading up to this verse, but seemingly somewhat “out of nowhere” comes this statement about singing.

Now…don’t get me wrong, Paul will go on to talk about each having a hymn or psalm (depending on your translation) and how our singing should be in an orderly fashion. But, as we reflect on this part of Paul’s admonition, there is sort of a hidden element of what I want purvey in this article.

Oftentimes, I am asked,

“why don’t you use instruments in worship to God?”

I can certainly spend a lot of time talking about the “why not” with many articles, ideas, historical data of the first instrument being used in the 7th century (not the 1st when the church was established, but over 600 years later). I can also use several illustrations of why instrumental music is not used in the New Testament church, but let’s take a different angle to this question.

Instead of “arguing” against instrumental music, our time and energy would be best served making a case for what kind of music that God asks of us in worship. 1 Corinthians 14 gives a heavy reinforcement to several other New Testament scriptures such as Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16-17, representation in Acts 16:25, James 5:13, Matthew 26:30, Romans 15:9, Hebrews 2:12, Revelation 5:9, and Revelation 15:3.

You see, many an hour has been spent on defending the “lack” of instrument in worship to God; however, as can be seen, there is a very convincing argument to be made that God wants singing. Praise Him in song. Sing for joy. Sing with love. Sing with the spirit. You are the instrument that God wants to hear. Your voice is as beautiful to God as a child’s voice to her mother and earthly father. Let your voice be heard!

The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Zephaniah 3:17