There is much discussion about whether it is acceptable (according to Scripture) to have an instrument in the worship of the church. There is much that has been said on both sides of the issue, but it comes down to one and only one question—What does the Bible say? That’s all that matters!
This will surprise some of you initially to read, but I want you to read it all the way through (and not misquote me). I believe with all of my heart that any worship (including and especially singing) that is done without the instrument is vain, unscriptural and sinful. Let that settle in for a minute. In fact, let’s state it this way: God will not accept any worship that is offered without the instrument.
You may think that is different or even contradictory to statements that have been previously spoken or written, but I assure you that it is not. It is just stating this matter from a little different perspective. The key is to define and understand what instrument is under discussion.
Let us first underscore that there is no New Testament authority for the use of a mechanical instrument in worship. God specified the music that He wanted (and authorized) in worship, and that music is singing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16). By specifying singing, God automatically excluded all other types of music, including the use of a mechanical instrument.
However, there is an instrument that God requires in our worship. The “melody” must come from somewhere! And, once again, God specified the instrument that He authorizes to make that melody. Read Ephesians 5:19, “…speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord.” There is one instrument that God authorizes to accompany our singing, and it is an instrument that every worshiper must “pluck” as he is singing—the heart instrument!
Consider these statements again. Any worship (including and especially singing) that is done without the instrument (i.e., the heart instrument) is vain, unscriptural and sinful. God will not accept any worship that is offered without the instrument (of the heart). Jesus taught that true worship is done “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). One’s heart (i.e., spirit) is required! Jesus condemned vain worship, which comes from the mouth and lips while the “heart is far from” honoring the Lord (Matt. 15:8-9). Our singing must be done “with the spirit” and “with the understanding” (1 Cor. 14:15). The heart is required!
Did the title and early paragraphs of this article get your attention? True worship demands our attention and our heart! Worshiping with a mechanical instrument is as unacceptable to God as worshiping without the heart instrument!