2 Samuel 6-8, Luke 15:1—10 • Key Verse: 2 Samuel 6:7
The more we focus on doing what pleases us, the less we will please God. That truth applies to
many things, including worship. How we worship God is not a matter of “anything goes.” It
especially is not to be done with an attitude of “I like it, so God must also.” He has made it clear
in His Word that not all worship is acceptable.
When David wanted to bring the ark to Jerusalem he made a mistake. He consulted the leaders of
the army instead of God (1 Chron. 13:1; 15:13). The attempt to move the ark led to disaster. A
good desire was done the wrong way, and it was unacceptable to God.
The Bible offers other notable examples of wrong worship, such as the golden calf incident in
the Sinai and the unauthorized fire offered by Nadab and Abihu (Num. 3:4). Throughout the
Book of Leviticus specific instruction is given regarding how God is to be worshiped.
Scriptural teaching on proper worship is not just an Old Testament emphasis either. Jesus
strongly condemned the worship of the Pharisees, and a major portion of 1 Corinthians deals
with worship.
God dealt with those in Corinth for their abuse of the Lord’s Supper, and three chapters, 12-14,
focus on the exercise of spiritual gifts with an emphasis on how it affects the worship of the
church.
Worship is important to God and should be important to us. It should be done in a way that
pleases Him, not us. We will learn what proper worship is not by consulting others who share
our opinions and tastes, but by going to God’s Word.
Examine the Bible, and then examine your worship. It is not true that “anything goes.”

Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett
www.backtothebible.in