Singing The Truth

Roger Shouse shared a quote the other day in his fine blog, Jump Starts Daily, from A.W. Tozer that caught my attention.

“Christians don’t tell lies they just go to church and sing them.”

If that makes you wince a bit, or feel a bit uncomfortable, remember there’s an old saying, “the hit dog howls.”

In our fellowship, we believe, preach, and practice, singing acapella. We offer the Biblical evidence from Ephesians 5:19. “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.”

We emphasize the importance of singing hymns that are doctrinally accurate. Songs that teach and admonish fellow Christians to follow the commands of Scripture. And that offers instruction, encouragement, and enlightenment for which we can offer book, chapter, and verse.

Furthermore, Paul admonishes and affirms “I will “sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding” (1 Cor 15:14). In other words, let’s sing with passion. And with a realization of what we’re proclaiming and promising through our songs.

But do we sometimes lie when we sing?

How about these songs? And what is your actual response?

“I Can Hear My Savior Calling?” Can you?

“I Want To Be A Worker For The Lord.” Do you?

“Purer in heart, O God.” Are you?

“Where He Leads I Will Follow.” Will you?

“I Surrender All.” Have you?

“I’ll Go Where You Want Me To Go” Would you?

Today, when you assemble for worship, pay attention to the words of the songs. Think about their meaning in your life. Sing, to not only encourage others but to encourage yourself to practice them. Determine to apply them to your life when you leave worship.

“Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor” (Eph. 4:25). Even in the song service.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman