Reconsidering SingingSample

FOR THE MIND, THE BODY & THE SOUL

Songs are important to us! They not only have the power to equip us for a good car ride, but the world is making every effort to perpetually define the style, the songs, and the artists that are appropriate for the training of the human mind, body, and soul. We must realize, that God created singing, and thus as its grand architect, he knows completely its purpose and appropriate use. 

READ Colossians 3:16 and consider: 

Songs are for our Mind: Notice that this verse implores us to let the message of Christ dwell among us as we teach through song. On one hand our song lyrics are supposed to be deeply enriched with truth. On the other hand, we are not to heavily rely on the music and lyrics to simply indoctrinate and instruct us, but we are to bring robustly trained minds to our singing. 

Songs are for the Body: It is true that singing is the only “instrument” that truly utilizes the entire physical body in order to create sound (mind, breath, muscle, voice, etc.). Singing truly is a bodily device! In Colossians, however, singing is a team sport, not an individual exercise! Tragically, and more often than not, corporate singing in our churches shapes people to feel or act as if they’re akin to a bunch of floating atoms flying around the room in their own independent little worlds. Hands are raised, eyes are closed, lights are off, and voices shout, but all in an effort to create an individual encounter with Christ. Paul’s view of singing is far more corporate. 

Songs are for the Soul: Notice that singing itself is married! It’s to be done to God with gratitude in our hearts. Consider for a moment how the nature of singing changes when married to thankfulness! It’s not just the truths in the songs that matter, nor that we keep our eye on our neighbor as we’re singing. The concern in Paul’s mind in Colossians is that we also bring our whiny, complaining, sin-bent soul to the altar of God and lay down our entitlement crowns through our singing. 

Learn how to share God’s story through song in a more total, textual, tonal, and targeted way in this 6-Day Study, and at The Garden City Project, and at our global LIVE ONLINE Make Jesus Culture Conference.