Music is a charged tool that has great power to work in people’s lives: It has the ability to interact with mind, body, and soul. I have been involved in music for the last six years since picking up the guitar my junior year of high school, and I have played in several worship bands. God has used music to shape and transform my life. But a question has always loomed in my mind: How does God see worship music?

Does God get greater praise if we sing out of a hymnal on Sunday mornings? Or is he given more glory when we bring out our electric guitars and play rock music packed with riveting solos? What brings God the most glory?

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:23-24 (ESV)

God calls us to worship him in spirit and in truth. In other words, our lips should be proclaiming the truth of God and not only our lips and tongues and lungs, but also our soul should be worshiping him. Paul talks of this spiritual worship in Romans: "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Romans 12:1 (ESV)

Paul is calling for us to give our whole lives and our fleshly bodies as sacrifices on the altar of God, which is our spiritual act of worship. So clearly there is more than just words and singing involved in worship. Scripture describes worship as a lifestyle of sacrifice. Times of singing praises to the Lord in church should be an overflow of our spiritual worship throughout the week.

So back to the question at hand: hymns? Or rock anthems? Psalm 96 says that we should be seeking new songs to sing to God. But it doesn't say what those songs should be—only that we should sing them with passion—whether it be the latest Hillsong United hit or “Come Thou Fount.” God desires your heart in accord with the words you sing. If the song says we lift our hands up, then do it. If the songs talks about giving over our lives to God, then give your life over to God. Be a person of integrity in worship, and God will honor you.

It's critical to take on Paul’s attitude about his life as your attitude toward worship. Paul says, "For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them." 1 Corinthians 9:19 (ESV)

Paul realized that worship isn't about preferences, and with that realization comes freedom. If you think that church requires a suit and tie and organ, you are wrong. And if you feel that God will not move in your heart unless you can wear your torn, tight jeans and a v-neck while singing rock and roll to the Lord, you are wrong. Our God is personal, living, active, and breathing; he desires us to love and serve others' preferences faithfully.