We’ve discussed salvation, prayer and reading the Bible as the first three keys to spiritual growth. Now we’ll talk about worshiping God.
What Does the Bible Say About Worshiping God?
“Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;” Psalm 95:6 NIV.
Let’s look first at what worship means.
Worship is an English word which actually means “worth-ship”. Acknowledging that something has worth therefore deserving of praise.
According to Dictionary of Bible Themes, worship is “The praise, adoration and reverence of God, both in public and private. It is a celebration of the worthiness of God, by which honour is given to his name.”
When we worship God, we are acknowledging His Superiority above everything and everyone. He is worthy because of who He is and what He does.
The scripture above is telling us that as a creation of God, we are to bow down to our worthy God.
To be growing spiritually, we need to put God in His proper place. We recognize that place as we worship Him.
Three Kinds of Worshiping God
In “What is Worship? A Survey of the Bible”, by Michael Morrison, he says there are three kinds of worship. It involves the mind-speaking, heart-listening and body-action.
In other words, we are to praise God but if we don’t listen, how are we going to carry out His plan? Listening then should produce the action to carry it out. True worship includes the entirety of who we are, our soul.
Spiritual Growth: Attitude is Prime in Worshiping God
What does worshiping God in spirit mean?
“God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth” John 4:24 NIV.
When we worship, our focus should be on God and His attributes, giving Him glory and honor. The focus should not be on the music, rituals etc.
Worshiping in the spirit means for us to give genuine praise from our heart and soul. It comes from our experiences with the Lord, knowing how He has helped us and blessed our lives with His gifts. Thinking of what He did for us on the cross should lift our hearts with genuine praise.
Spiritual Growth: Importance of Worshiping God
“All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord;
they will bring glory to your name. For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.” Psalm 86:9-10 NIV.
We always need to give God the praise He deserves. Raising our voices in love and praise whether in song, listening to His Word or reaching out to help someone gives Him the glory He deserves. This brings us closer to the Lord and helps us in our spiritual growth.
“Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.” Psalm 84:4 NIV.
When we are worshiping, our hearts are focusing on the Lord and not ourselves. Just this action relieves our anxieties and stress. Then, in this verse, we see a blessing when we honor Him with His due glory.
What Does the Bible Say About Worshiping One God?
“You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments” Exodus 20: 3-6 NIV.
God is the only true God and He commands us not to worship anything else besides Him. This dishonors Him and puts attention on things that have no worth. God is the only One that can truly help.
Who else has a book written about their works and creation that has lasted for thousands of years? Who else can claim the creation of the existance?
Within the pages of God’s Word are many witnesses to the power of relying upon God. They have experienced God in their lives and were committed to Him as well as millions that are alive today. We are blessed when we acknowledge that He is the one and only true God.
Hinderances to Worshiping God
- Worshiping for attention
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full” Matthew 6:5 Niv
When we worship and our minds are on ourselves, the act of worshiping God in spirit and truth is lost.
“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;” Psalm 66:18 NIV
The Lord in 1 John 1:9 tells us that we need to confess our sins and this cleanses us from all unrighteousness. God knows what we have done, He wants us to acknowledge we have sinned. If we have unconfessed sin, our relationship with God is hurt, confessing brings us back to a good relationship again. Worshiping with unconfessed sin hinders.
- Doubts About God Hinders Your Worship and Spiritual Growth
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6 NIV.
As we worship, whether in prayer or music, we need to believe what we are worshiping God for. Are we asking in faith that He will answer our requests? If not, James says our worship is unreliable.
- Relationships with Others
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5: 23-24
We don’t always look at our relationships as something we are responsible for. God holds us reponsible for others and when we have had a problem with them, we need to get it straight so we are able to relate to God and worship Him.
Worshiping with Others is Important in Spiritual Growth
“not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 NIV
There are people who do not feel the need to worship with others. We are admonished in God’s Word not to give it up. There is a reason for meeting with other Chrsitians. We are blessed by others encouragement, love and help.
Different Ways to Worship God
There are several ways to worship God and it doesn’t have to be in the church. Worship that gathers Christians together who are sincerely serving and worshiping is key. Here are some of the ways to worship.
- Music
We are very familiar with worshiping with music. It is a popular form because it lifts our spirits and brings our attention to God attributes.
- Listening to God’s Word
Have you considered that listening to the pastor closely on Sunday is worship? When we hear, then do what is said, we are worshiping. We honor God when we obey.
- Reading God’s Word
Reading the Bible is worshiping God. As we read and listen, we are honoring God by our obedience.
- Communion
Communion is partaking of the symbols of Jesus body and what He did for us on the cross. We are telling God we accept the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is an act of worshiping God for His grace and mercy.
- Baptism
When we are participating in baptism or watching someone else’s, we are honoring God. We are sharing the experience of a new believer testifying to their acceptance of Christ. What joy and worship of God.
Worshiping Helps in Spiritual Growth
“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” Luke 4:8 NIV.
Spiritual growth to the Christian is becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. Prayer, Bible reading, and worship are a few of the keys to our growth.
When we worship God, we are doing all of these and more. Worship is not contained within a building. True worship has to take place in the heart and expressed in obedience.
If you would like to contribute positively to the conversation, please comment.
Leave a Reply