Today, in many parts of the church, the spirit of true worship has been virtually lost. When believers come together to worship, they are more often than not presented with an entertainment program of religious worship. The bodies of believers become spectators, the worship & music leaders’ performers, and the presence of God is not reached or touched.
Entertainment, however, has nothing to do with worship, is no substitute for worship, and cannot be blended with worship – without loss. The difference between entertainment and praise & worship is this:
Entertainment is performed to please an audience and to display the talent of the artist. The artist displays his talent, to delight the audience and to receive their appreciation. Man’s response to entertainment is pleasure and admiration of the artist. This admiration is usually expressed in applause. It is a response of the soul, rather than of the spirit. The focus of entertainment is on the skill of the artist and the pleasure of the audience.
Worship, on the other hand, functions entirely in the realm of the spirit. The believer’s focus is entirely on God as he expresses his praise, adoration and worship. Joy and repentance are often expressed through song, raised hands, clapping, shouting, and even dancing.
True worship cannot be learned or taught by musicians or choreographers. Music, dancing, clapping, kneeling, raising hands, etc. are not done to enhance worship, but rather to express worship. They are not means of Music, dancing, clapping, kneeling, raising hands, etc. are not done to enhance worship, but rather to express worship. They are not means of putting worship in our hearts but help to release the worship that is already there. The Christian singer, musician or dancer who performs for the congregation may be sincerely worshipping the Lord with his or her talent, but if attention is drawn more to the artist than to God, the congregation is no longer worshipping, but merely watching.
God is interested in receiving the expression of our heart. Entertainment is a vicarious experience where someone performs for us. Worship can never be vicarious, for no one can ever do it for us. To its loss, the church has permitted artistic performers to perform for them, in lieu of worship.
Worship is not in the realm of art. Art is a matter of the soul and has its own place. True worship is in the realm of the spirit – not in the realm of the soul. (John 4:23, 24)
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