Discerning the Sound That Shapes Your Spirit

This morning, we explored the profound impact that music has on our spiritual lives, focusing on the importance of discerning the sounds that shape our spirits. Music is not just a background to our lives; it is a powerful, God-given force that can stir emotions, inspire courage, break bondages, and even deceive if we are not attentive. From the very beginning, God designed music as a means of worship and communication with Him, and it is a gift that carries spiritual weight. As such, we are called to be vigilant about the music we allow into our hearts and homes, recognizing that it can either align us with heaven or pull us away from God’s truth.

We looked at the biblical foundation for music in worship, particularly through Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19, which speak of psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Each of these expressions serves a unique purpose: psalms root us in the Word, hymns declare the greatness and truth of God, and spiritual songs are spontaneous melodies birthed from our spirits. The psalms, as the original songbook of God’s people, teach us to sing the Word so that it dwells richly within us. Hymns, whether ancient or modern, are crafted from deep encounters with God and must be measured against sound doctrine. Spiritual songs, on the other hand, are fresh, unrehearsed expressions that arise from our personal walk with God, often reflecting our current season and drawing us into deeper intimacy with Him.

We also considered the enemy’s understanding of music’s power, recalling that Lucifer was created as a musical being before his fall. This reminds us that music can be twisted for purposes other than worship, so we must test all things and hold fast to what is good, ensuring that what we listen to edifies and aligns with God’s Word. The restoration of the Tabernacle of David is a prophetic picture for us: as temples of the Holy Spirit, we are called to cultivate a lifestyle of continuous, Spirit-led worship, not just in church but in every aspect of our lives.

To put this into practice, we engaged in an activation—encouraging everyone to find a line or truth about God and sing it out as a personal spiritual song. This is not reserved for the gifted or the worship team; every believer is invited to birth a new song from their spirit, making worship a living, breathing part of their daily walk with God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Be Attentive to the Sounds You Receive Music is not neutral; it carries spiritual influence and shapes your inner life. What you listen to can either draw you closer to God or subtly pull you away. Take time to evaluate the music that fills your ears and home, asking whether it aligns with the truth of God’s Word and stirs your heart toward worship rather than worldly emotion. [68:32]
• 2. Embrace the Threefold Expression of Worship God’s design for music in worship is rich and varied: psalms root us in Scripture, hymns declare God’s greatness and truth, and spiritual songs flow spontaneously from our spirits. Each expression serves to deepen our relationship with God and build up the church. Consider how your worship life can reflect this balance, allowing both structured and spontaneous praise to flourish. [77:43]
• 3. Test All Things by the Word of God Not every song, even those labeled as “Christian,” is beneficial or true. The final test for any music is the Word of God. If a song contradicts Scripture or fails to edify, it does not belong in your life or in the house of the Lord. Let the Word dwell in you richly so that your discernment grows, and your worship remains pure and powerful. [89:32]
• 4. Cultivate a Personal Song of the Spirit Every believer is invited to sing a new song to the Lord, not just with rehearsed lyrics but with spontaneous melodies that arise from the heart. These personal songs capture the essence of your current journey and become a unique offering to God. Don’t let fear or self-consciousness silence your song; let the Spirit birth fresh praise in you, whether in the car, the shower, or gathered with others. [106:17]
• 5. Restore the Tabernacle of David in Your Life The prophetic restoration of David’s tabernacle points to a lifestyle of continuous, Spirit-led worship. As God’s dwelling place, you are called to carry the sound of heaven—spontaneous, prophetic, scripture-filled, and Spirit-led praise—wherever you go. This is not confined to a building but is meant to flow from your life, day and night. [95:51]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [66:00] - Introduction: The Power of Music
• [67:38] - Music’s Spiritual Influence
• [68:44] - God’s Gift and Design for Music
• [69:31] - Personal Stories: Music’s Impact
• [71:12] - Colossians 3:16 and Worship
• [73:01] - God’s Design for Music
• [74:08] - The Enemy’s Use of Music
• [76:18] - Threefold Expression: Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual Songs
• [78:10] - Exploring Psalms in Worship
• [80:55] - The Role of Hymns
• [83:54] - Spiritual Songs: Spontaneous Worship
• [89:32] - Testing Music by the Word
• [93:11] - The Sound of Heaven and David’s Tabernacle
• [96:41] - Living as God’s Temple
• [97:27] - Activation: Singing a New Song
• [101:02] - Thankfulness and Adoration in Song
• [106:17] - Personal Songs: Your Unique Offering
• [119:08] - Encouragement to Sing Your Own Song
• [120:23] - Prayer for the Philippines and Closing

Bible Reading

Colossians 3:16 (NKJV) — > Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:19 (NKJV) — > Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.

Psalm 96:1-2 (NKJV) — > Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!
> Sing to the Lord, all the earth.
> Sing to the Lord, bless His name;
> Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.

Observation Questions

1. According to Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19, what are the three types of songs mentioned, and what is their purpose in the life of a believer? [01:11:36]
2. In the sermon, what was said about the origin and purpose of music as designed by God? [01:08:18]
3. What does the pastor say about the enemy’s understanding and use of music, especially in reference to Lucifer? [01:14:08]
4. How did the congregation participate in the “activation” of singing a new song, and what was the purpose of this exercise? [01:37:27]

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon teaches that music is not neutral but carries spiritual influence. Why might it be important for believers to be attentive to the music they listen to? [01:08:32]
2. The threefold expression of worship—psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs—was emphasized. How might each of these expressions uniquely shape a believer’s relationship with God? [01:17:43]
3. The pastor mentioned that not every song labeled “Christian” is beneficial. What does it mean to “test all things by the Word of God” when it comes to music, and how can this be done practically? [01:29:32]
4. The restoration of the Tabernacle of David was described as a prophetic picture for our lives. What does it look like for a believer today to “carry the sound of heaven” in daily life? [01:35:51]

Application Questions

1. Take a look at your current music playlists or the music you most often listen to. Are there any songs or artists that you feel may not align with God’s truth or that pull your heart away from worship? What steps could you take this week to be more intentional about what you allow into your ears and home? [01:08:32]
2. The sermon encouraged embracing both structured (psalms and hymns) and spontaneous (spiritual songs) worship. Do you tend to lean more toward one than the other? How could you stretch yourself to try the other form this week, either alone or with others? [01:17:43]
3. When you hear a new worship song, what is your process for discerning if it is biblically sound and edifying? Is there a song you enjoy that you might need to examine more closely in light of Scripture? [01:29:32]
4. The activation exercise invited everyone to sing a personal spiritual song, not just the worship team. What fears or hesitations might keep you from expressing your own song to God? How could you overcome these barriers and try singing your own “new song” this week, even if it’s just in private? [01:46:17]
5. The Tabernacle of David was marked by continuous, Spirit-led worship. What would it look like for you to cultivate a lifestyle of ongoing worship outside of Sunday services? Are there specific times or places in your daily routine where you could intentionally turn your heart to God in song or praise? [01:35:51]
6. The pastor shared that music can either edify or deceive. Have you ever noticed a change in your mood, thoughts, or spiritual focus after listening to certain types of music? Share an example and discuss how you might respond differently in the future. [01:08:32]
7. Think about a recent season in your life. If you were to sing a spiritual song that reflects where you are right now, what truth about God would you want to declare? Try writing a simple line or phrase and, if comfortable, share it with the group. [01:46:17]