Worship is one of the most sacred things we do as Christians. It’s not just about singing songs or sitting through a service; it’s about responding to the God who has revealed Himself to us. And because worship is directed toward Him, He has every right to tell us how it should be done.

In Exodus 20:22–25, right after giving the Ten Commandments, God says, “You have seen that I have talked with you from heaven… If you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone.” God had spoken. The worship was to begin with His revelation, not human creativity. Even the stones were to remain untouched, no polishing, no chiseling, just plain stones stacked according to His will. Why? Because worship shaped by man’s hands is often more about impressing others than honoring God. When we try to “dress up” what God designed, we risk turning something sacred into something self-serving.

Jesus echoed this principle in John 4:24 when He said, “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” True worship is not about location, mood, or aesthetic, it’s about a heart engaged in reverence and a life aligned with God’s truth. Worship must be sincere and scriptural.

But let’s be honest, it’s tempting to make worship more “appealing.” In a world full of entertainment, we might feel the pressure to keep up: louder music, flashier lights, smoother presentations. None of these things are inherently wrong in themselves, but they become dangerous when they are added to worship and distract from the heart of worship or substitute emotion for truth.

The Israelites were surrounded by pagan cultures with elaborate rituals and ornate idols. God warned them again and again, “Don’t worship Me like the nations worship their gods” (Deuteronomy 12:30–31). His way was different, simpler, yes, but sacred. In our time, the church must ask: Are we trying to make worship cool, or are we striving to make it pleasing to God?

Let’s be people who approach worship with humility. Let’s open our Bibles before we open our mouths. And let’s remember worship isn’t about what draws a crowd, it’s about what draws us closer to God.

By: Justin Odom