There are thousands of “Christian” artists today, producing an enormous amount of music that is labeled as Christian. Local churches around the world often try to reproduce many of these songs in their worship services, and in itself this is not something negative. Music has always been part of the life of the church, and singing together has been one of the most visible expressions of Christian worship. However, there are important details that we must examine carefully as a church before reproducing certain songs during congregational worship.
In many cases, people listen to a song primarily because of how beautiful the piano sounds, the emotional melody, or the powerful rhythm of the drums. Music can be so attractive that it captures our emotions immediately. The danger lies in the fact that, when music becomes the center, we can easily forget the essence and purpose of a truly Christian song. Worship is not meant to entertain the congregation, but to direct the hearts and minds of believers toward God. Therefore, we present three essential points that must be verified before choosing a Christian song for the church.
1- Is the song didactic?
All the Psalms are didactic by nature. They teach us profound truths about God, humanity, suffering, repentance, joy, hope, and trust in the Lord. Through the Psalms, we learn how to respond to trials, how to express gratitude, how to cry out to God in moments of despair, and how to rejoice in His faithfulness. Each Psalm carries a lesson that edifies the listener and shapes the believer’s understanding of God.
For this reason, we cannot sing something in the church that does not teach the listener or that does not build up the congregation. Worship songs should instruct the mind and strengthen the faith of those who sing them. Scripture clearly teaches that everything done in the church should be for edification. If a song does not edify, if it does not communicate truth or encourage spiritual growth, then it should not be part of the praises offered to the Lord in the temple.
Many times, we see churches singing hymns or modern worship songs that contain little to no teaching at all. People sing them naturally, often without reflecting on the lyrics or understanding what is being proclaimed. When music lacks substance, it can lead to shallow worship, where emotions are stirred but minds remain unengaged and hearts unchanged.
2- Is the song Biblical?
Many people ask an important question: Should a Christian singer or songwriter know theology? In my opinion, they must. Theology is simply the study of God, and the only way we can truly know God is through the Scriptures. If Christian music is meant to communicate truths about God, then those who compose it should be deeply concerned about being faithful to the Bible.
There are many songs that take certain phrases or ideas from the Bible but remove them from their proper context. While these lyrics may sound spiritual or inspiring, they can distort biblical truth and lead to confusion. This is something we must take very seriously. A song that misrepresents Scripture, even unintentionally, can teach error just as effectively as a sermon.
Biblical worship is grounded in truth. Jesus Himself said that true worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. This means that our worship must align with what God has revealed about Himself in His Word. Songs sung in the church should reflect sound doctrine, accurately presenting who God is, what He has done, and what He requires from His people.
3- Does the song glorify God?
The greatest purpose of Christian music should always be to glorify God. Worship is not about the artist, the band, or the congregation; it is about God. When our music is truly Biblical, we will understand that its ultimate purpose is not to exalt human emotions or experiences, but to exalt the Lord Himself.
There are songs that do not even mention Christ, His work on the cross, or the glory of God. Some music focuses almost entirely on how we feel, what we want, or what we experience, turning worship into something centered on ourselves. In such cases, music can subtly become a tool for feeding human ego rather than honoring God.
The Psalmist David is a powerful example of God-centered worship. Throughout the Psalms, David consistently glorified God, regardless of his circumstances. Whether in joy or suffering, victory or repentance, his songs directed attention to the greatness, mercy, and faithfulness of the Lord.
We should not collect songs simply because the music sounds beautiful or because the artist is popular and well known. Musical excellence is valuable, but it should never replace theological faithfulness and God-centered worship. Whatever music we use in the church, let us use it intentionally to glorify God.
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Ephesians 1:12
This verse reminds us of our ultimate purpose. We were created to glorify the eternal God. Every aspect of our lives, including our music, should reflect this calling. Let us glorify Him with songs that teach truth, remain faithful to Scripture, and exalt the name of Christ above all else.