How to Worship in Spirit and in Truth, Part 2
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
—John 4:24
Jesus said that true worshippers would worship in spirit and in truth. Part 1 spoke of worship in spirit: that it’s not about location, it’s about a heart posture. And that worship is a spiritual activity. It starts in your spirit and ministers to God, who is Spirit.
This article is going to focus on what it is to worship in truth.
I remember one night, scrolling through Instagram, a guy’s post of his song came up. As I watched, I could feel what he was saying. He sang with such conviction and authenticity that it moved me. His singing invited me into his story. It was like God was showing me what worship in truth was from someone who, as far as I could tell, did not believe in Jesus.
To be clear, he wasn’t actually worshipping, but he was expressing his heart. And expressing it in true authenticity. I thought—this is exactly what “in truth” is.
I’ll get back to that at the end of the article, but let’s look at what it means to worship in truth.
1. According to Scripture
Jesus said that God’s word is truth. John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
Truth in Greek is aletheia. It can also be translated as “reality.” It’s knowing things as they truly are.
When we worship God according to Scripture, we are worshipping Him according to the truth of who He really is. Who He has revealed Himself to be.
God has revealed Himself to many over the years and we have it recorded in the Scriptures.
A.W. Tozer said whatever comes in our mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us*. It would behoove us then to make sure what we think about God is actually true! (*”Knowledge of the Holy” By A.W. Tozer on Amazon (affiliate link))
Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
2. From a place of revelation
You can always tell the difference between someone who knows facts about people and someone who actually knows the person.
When I say true worship is from a place of revelation, I’m saying, you worship from a place of knowing God; experiencing God.
In the same conversation that Jesus had with the woman at the well about worship, He said, “You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.” (John 4:22)
I remember when I was first born-again and learning to worship I didn’t understand why Jesus died on the cross. I still believed in Jesus, and the Bible says, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13), so praise God you don’t have to understand everything.
When I sang the song, “Here I am to Worship”, where it says, “I’ll never know how much it costs to see my sin upon that cross,” I was singing what is true according to Scripture, but it wasn’t yet revealed to me why Jesus died.
Then one day the Lord opened my eyes as I was reading the Scripture that Jesus took my place upon that cross, and I was amazed. I cried as the truth hit my heart. It was revelation to me.
Then when I went to sing “I’ll never know how much it costs to see my sin upon that cross” it meant something to me. I was singing from a place of revelation. It wasn’t just knowing facts about Jesus without knowing Him. I had experienced Him, and it took my worship to a deeper level.
Worship is a response to revelation. Keep seeking God and ask Him to reveal Himself to you. That will fuel your worship.
God wants you to experience Him. God wants you to know Him.
Worship in truth is worship from a place of revelation.
3. Authentic
Now, back to the guy I saw on Instagram.
His authenticity drew me into his story. He was singing from a real place. I felt what he was saying. It was like God was using a secular musician to teach me about sacred singing.
God values authenticity.
Here’s the question: When you sing to God, are you singing from a real place? Or just going through the motions?
I’m not saying this to get you into a place of striving, but to identify any need to adjust your posture.
God just wants you to be authentic.
Sometimes our feelings are contrary to the songs we’re singing, but when we sing what is true regardless, it will help bring us into the reality that the song is declaring.
Your authenticity with God is what causes your relationship with God to grow. It helps you connect with God in a deeper way.
In the same way I was moved by that guy’s authentic singing, I believe God is moved by our authentic worship. I don’t know about you, but I want to bring the kind of worship to God that moves Him.
THE KIND OF WORSHIPPER GOD IS LOOKING FOR
God isn’t looking for worship, He’s looking for worshipers. True worshippers who worship in spirit in truth. People whose hearts are connected to His.
If I were to boil down what it means to worship in spirit and in truth, I would say it is communing with God from the depth of who you are. That’s who the Father is seeking.
May the Lord raise you and your household up as true worshippers! May you be the kind of worshipper that the Father is looking for.
Check out more on worship in these articles:
How to Worship in Spirit and in Truth, part 1
Is Your Altar Broken Down?
Praise 101: The Power and Purpose of Praise
Worship 101: The Heart of True Worship
How to Worship Like Heaven, part 1
Question: How have you experienced worship in truth—according to Scripture, from a place of revelation, or authenticity? How did that impact you?