What Is True Worship — Meaning Explained

Jesus defined worship in His conversation with the Samaritan woman: 'God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth' (John 4:24). Worship 'in spirit' means from the inner person — genuine, heartfelt, Spirit-empowered. Worship 'in truth' means according to God's revelation, not human invention. God rejected Israel's worship when their hearts were far from Him: 'This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me' (Matthew 15:8). Paul broadened worship beyond singing: 'Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service' (Romans 12:1). Everything a believer does can be worship — eating, drinking, working — 'do all to the glory of God' (1 Corinthians 10:31). The Psalms model worship through praise, thanksgiving, lament, and confession. True worship transforms the worshiper: 'We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image' (2 Corinthians 3:18).