Some make the choice not to sing, even though God commands us to do so. Short and simple, this is disobedience. Disobedience is sin. Ephesians 5:18 says we are to be filled with the Spirit by speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (v. 19). If we choose not to sing, then we are refusing to be filled with the Spirit in the way God directs. Add to this v. 19, which says we are to make melody with our heart to God as we sing. Just making melody in our heart is not enough. Faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
Now, please read Colossians 3:12-16. There are things we are to “put on” as God’s chosen people. These attributes include humility and love. Is it humility that says, “I don’t sing well so I’ll disobey God’s command?” Is it love that says, “God commands me to sing, but I refuse to worship God and encourage my brethren in this way?” Verse 15 says, “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful.” Is the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts, and are we one body when we refuse the commands of Christ and refuse to participate in the ordained actions of the one body? Imagine your hand refusing to function. Is that a good thing? Verse 16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God.”
Is the word of Christ dwelling in you richly? Are you teaching and admonishing in song? Are you thanking God through song? If we can forsake this portion of God’s Word and please God, what else can we violate and still please Him?
Douglas Hill
