Monday, 12 September 2022
SONGS OF THE SPIRIT
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19).
The phrase “spiritual songs” in the verse above means songs of the spirit. The Apostle Paul made the same reference in 1 Corinthians 14:14-15 when he talked about singing in tongues — singing in the spirit: “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.”
Singing with the spirit is singing in other tongues. These songs come out of your spirit, not from your understanding. It’s similar to the way you yield your tongue to the Holy Spirit to pray in tongues, only that this time, you’re singing in other tongues and worshipping the Lord.
Jesus said, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Worshipping in the spirit is the climax. You may sing and worship the Lord in your understanding and that’s okay, but ascend higher; sing songs of the Spirit, from your spirit! Worship and relate from your spirit; it’s a deeper fellowship.
Your songs of the spirit are songs of worship and praise to the Lord. Those listening to you may not like the tune or melody, but it makes no difference. You’re not singing to them; you’re singing to the Lord! You’re making melodies of worship to the Lord, just as praying in tongues isn’t unto men but unto God (1 Corinthians 14:2).
Worshipping in the spirit brings about a divine exchange; as your spirit passes words in the spirit to God, the Holy Spirit imparts information to your spirit. When you’re through with such sessions of worship and fellowship, you’re full of the Spirit and are in dominion. At that point, nothing moves you. You’re more than certain of your victory. Your spirit has the dominion! Christianity is a life of the spirit, lived from the inside out.
Therefore, learn to worship the Lord in the spirit, with your spirit, and by the Holy Spirit: “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3).
PRAYER: Blessed Lord, your glory fills the earth, and your righteousness is upon the nations! Splendour and majesty are before you; strength and glory are in your dwelling place. You’ve beautified my life and anointed me to proclaim your love, mercies and grace; I’ll sing of your love forever, and of your faithfulness that’s ever sure. Blessed be your Name forever.
FURTHER STUDY:
John 4:23-24 AMPC; Psalm 150:1-5; 1 Corinthians 14:2
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 & Ecclesiastes 1-2
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Timothy 1:1-7 & Jeremiah 30