clcgh.org Building The Capacity Of Christian Leaders, Equipping The Saints For The Work Of Ministry, Redirecting Straying Christians To The Sound Knowledge Of Christ
Christian music is not just singing, playing instruments and dancing; it must be performed in the Holy Spirit. God inhabits the harmonious praise, worship or song ministrations ministered by Spirit-filled believers who live holy and righteous lives.
This means if the music is not Spirit-inspired, God cannot inhabit it. And if God does not inhabit it, then, it is powerless and dangerous, because evil spirits can infiltrate it. Christian music without the anointing of the Holy Spirit has given room for Satan and his demons to dominate many churches in our day.
‘Pastor’ Jehoshaphat would not tolerate Satan to fool in his church when he knew the power of anointed spiritual music.
“When he (Jehoshaphat, king of Judah) had taken counsel with the people, HE APPOINTED THOSE WHO WERE TO SING TO THE LORD AND PRAISE HIM IN HOLY ATTIRE, as they went before the army…
“AND WHEN THEY BEGAN TO SING AND PRAISE, THE LORD SENT AN AMBUSH AGAINST THE MEN OF AMMON, MOAB, AND MOUNT SEIR, who had come against Judah, so that they were routed” (2 Chronicles 20:21–22).
Have you noticed the power of anointed music? The secret is that Pastor Jehoshaphat scanned through his church members and carefully appointed those he personally knew were holy and possessed the Spirit of God to minister to the LORD.
And they did not just sing any song. They sang good spiritual songs, worshipping and praising God, and giving Him glory in the beauty of His holiness. As soon as they lifted the praises and the worship, the LORD arose and started fighting for His people. Glory to God!
Unfortunately, today, some pastors think getting some boys to play their musical instruments and some young people to sing for their members to dance, jump and throw their hands into the air aggressively is a demonstration of anointing. It is not but a piece of entertainment.
Moreover, what kind of music with prayers do you think got the prison doors opened to secure the freedom of Paul and Silas? Surely, they sang and prayed by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Remember we achieve victory not by our human might or power but by the Spirit of God.
“About midnight Paul and Silas were PRAYING AND SINGING HYMNS TO GOD…and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. AND IMMEDIATELY ALL THE DOORS WERE OPENED, AND EVERYONE’S BONDS WERE UNFASTENED” (Acts 16:25–26).
Hallelujah! What a miracle!! What a great God we serve!!! See how the foundations of the prison, its doors and the pastors’ bonds quivered and loosed by divine power.
Many people think the Apostles prayed and sang hymns to God the same carnal way most of us do in our churches today. No! That could not have shaken the foundations of the prison, caused the prison door to open and unlock their bonds.
I believe the hymn they sang and the prayers they lifted to God in the prison was inspired by the Holy Spirit. They had been anointed with the Holy Spirit and power, and God was with them.
Remember they had no set of instrument in the prison yard to play as we have in our churches at present yet God wrought a miracle. Spirit-inspired Christian music should work signs and wonders so as to honour and glorify God and help to edify the church. It should win souls for Christ.
We should also understand that anointed music can create spiritual atmosphere for prophecies. That was what happened in the days of Elisha, the prophet of God.
“But now bring me a musician. AND WHEN THE MUSICIAN PLAYED, THE HAND OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM. And he said, “Thus says the Lord…” (2 Kings 3:15–16).
Praise God! An anointing came upon the prophet Elisha to prophesy after an anointed musician had played the music.
If we Christians who minister before the Lord will separate ourselves from the impurities of this world and live holy and righteous lives, the Spirit of God will dwell in and upon us and use us mightily to glorify His holy name through music. Amen.
By James Quansah
