True Worship…John 4:24

“For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth."

The word “worship” is used frequently today in Christian circles–in addition to worship services, we now have worship choruses, worship teams, worship manuals, worship seminars, etc. Often, however, the basic meaning of worship is misunderstood.

In the original Hebrew and Greek, the respective words translated “worship” mean simply to “bow down”! The Hebrew is so translated the first time it is used. When Abraham saw God and two angels approaching,

Genesis 18:2

“He looked up and noticed three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran to meet them and welcomed them, bowing low to the ground."

That is, he recognized God’s “worthy-ship” and was submitting himself to do His will.

The last time “worship” is used is when John “fell down to worship before the feet of the angel.” He was corrected by the angel with these words:

Revelation 22:8-9

I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me.9 But he said, "No, don't worship me. I am a servant of God, just like you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this book. Worship only God!"

Only God, our Creator and Savior, is worthy of true worship, and that worship involves simply bowing down in submission to do His will.

That is why it must be “in spirit and in truth.” Our spirit must submit to God who is Spirit, and this can only be in truth.

Remember the words of the Lord Jesus concerning the Spirit whom He would send to indwell His followers:

John 16:13-14

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.14 He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.

He would do this by revealing God’s Word to the writers of the New Testament, just as He had for the Old

2 Peter 1:21

or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

In His prayer to the Father, recorded by John, Christ prayed for us, saying,

John 17:17

"Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth".

True worship is simply submitting to and doing God’s will as made known by His written Word and the guidance of His Holy Spirit, thereby glorifying Christ.