1. I grew up in church and sang every hymn with all my heart.
My name is David, I'm 35 years old, and I grew up in church. My parents are devout Christians and took me to church every Sunday. Those beautiful melodies and moving lyrics accompanied my childhood and adolescence; I always sang every hymn with all my heart, believing I worshipped God with the purest heart. For over twenty years, I never questioned how beautiful and moving the songs we sang in church sounded!
Whenever the music played, I always felt a strong emotional surge, and tears would involuntarily flow. I thought this was the prompting of the Holy Spirit, I thought this was true worship. I even became a member of the church's teacher training program, standing on the stage every week, leading the congregation in praising God with my voice.
2. The Lord Jesus revealed to me that some hymns do not conform to the truth.
It was three months ago, late at night, around 2 a.m. I usually pray at this time because I feel I can focus more intently on communicating with God in the quiet of the night. That night, I knelt on the bedroom floor and began my prayer as usual. But this time, everything was different. As I closed my eyes and began to pour out my heart to God, a peace I had never known before enveloped me. It wasn't ordinary quiet, but a deep silence so profound I could almost hear my own heartbeat.
Suddenly, I felt a warm light surrounding me. Though my eyes were closed, I could see a soft, bright light. In that light, I heard a voice—not one heard with my ears, but one that resonated directly within my heart. The voice was full of love, yet also carried a deep sorrow. I knew immediately that it was the voice of the Lord Jesus, and though I had never experienced anything like it before, my heart was certain of it.
"My child," the voice said, "I will reveal something to you that will break your heart, but you need to know the truth. You and many of God's children have been singing songs that you think are worshipping Me, but in reality, the content of these songs contradicts My Word." My heart began to pound, a mixture of indescribable fear and anticipation welling up within me. I had never considered that there could be a problem with hymns sung in churches for so many years. Aren't they all praising God? Aren't they all expressions of our love for God?
The Lord continued, "I will show you seven such songs, widely sung in many churches, but whose message does not align with biblical truth. I don't want you to criticize the people who sing these songs; their hearts are pure, and they genuinely want to worship Me. But I want you to understand what true worship is and what is merely an expression of emotion."
3. The First Song
The Lord began to show me the first song.
I saw a huge church, packed with people, singing a song I knew well. The singing sounded so beautiful and moving! When the Lord explained the true meaning of the lyrics, I was shocked. The song's theme was about inner strength and self-realization. Although it mentioned God, it actually placed people at the center, implying that people could change their destiny and receive God's blessings through their own efforts and positive thinking. This song actually promoted a prosperity gospel, completely contrary to the biblical teaching of humbly relying on God's grace.
You see, the Lord says, this song makes people believe they are the masters of their own lives, that they can receive My blessings through a positive attitude and hard work; but the Bible clearly tells us that salvation is a free gift of grace, not a result of works so that no one can boast. This song, though beautiful, places human effort above My grace. I remembered how many times I had sung this song; I remembered the sense of power that welled up within me each time I sang it, the confidence that I could conquer everything.
It turns out that that confidence was not the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but the pride of humanism. I felt ashamed of my ignorance, and even more worried about those brothers and sisters who, like me, sang this song in ignorance. When this first revelation ended, I was already in tears. I had never imagined that music and lyrics could so subtly distort the truth, to the point that even the most devout Christians could hardly detect it. I realized that inner emotions are not the same as spiritual truth, and a beautiful melody cannot guarantee the correctness of the lyrics.
4. The Second Song The Lord Jesus continued to reveal a second song to me. This time, the scene I saw was even more heartbreaking. I saw a modern church, its stage flashing lights and its sound system blasting powerful music. Hundreds of people, hands raised, tears in their eyes, sang with all their might a hymn of self-love. On the surface, the lyrics encouraged people to recognize their own worth in God's eyes; but the Lord revealed to me the hidden danger within.
My child, the Lord's voice was filled with deep sorrow. While the song mentioned My love, it distorted the true meaning of love. It taught people to love themselves first, believing that only by loving themselves could they love others, to love Me. But My words clearly state that those who love Me will obey My commands. True love does not begin with self-love, but with recognizing My love.
I saw a young girl in the crowd, singing this song with all her might, a certain light shining in her eyes; the Lord showed me the depths of her heart, revealing that she was using this song to justify her selfishness. She believed that loving oneself meant prioritizing one's own needs and desires; even if it meant neglecting the needs of one's family or disobeying God's teachings.
The Lord continued to explain that this song promoted the self-love theory of modern psychology, not biblical truth. The Bible teaches us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Me. True self-worth comes from knowing who we are, not from self-affirmation. When people focus on loving themselves, they are actually building a self-centered life, which is the complete opposite of the self-denying life I called them to live.
I remembered how many times I had sung this song, that feeling of being inspired, that surge of feeling special and important. Now I understood that feeling was actually feeding my inner pride, not cultivating true spiritual life.
5. The Third Song
Next, the Lord revealed to me the third song. This time, I saw a more disturbing vision. The theme of this song was about God's unconditional blessings, the lyrics repeatedly emphasizing that God would give everyone success, wealth, and health, provided they had enough faith. I saw countless people singing this song with eyes filled with longing for material blessings.
This song promoted a prosperity theology, the Lord explained, leading people to believe that the purpose of following Me was to obtain the benefits of the world. But I have clearly stated that you will have trouble in this world, but you will have peace in Me; I have never promised that those who follow Me will be free from suffering in this life. I have said that if the world hates Me, it will also hate those who follow Me. I saw a middle-aged man in the crowd singing this song in a trembling voice. He had recently lost his job, and his wife was ill; but he was misled by this song into thinking that with enough faith, God would immediately solve his problems. When his situation did not improve, he began to question his faith, even questioning God's love.
The Lord's voice grew even more sorrowful. This song has hurt many of my dear children; it makes them believe that suffering is the result of a lack of faith, making them feel ashamed and abandoned when facing difficulties. But suffering is often the tool I use to shape their character, a way to make them rely more on Me, not on the world.
6. The Fourth Song
The revelation of the fourth song caused me even greater pain. The theme of this song is about finding the God within, and the lyrics suggest that God resides deep within everyone, and that divine power can be found simply by looking inward. On the surface, this sounds very spiritual, but the Lord revealed to me the heretical ideas within it.
This song, a blend of Eastern religious thought and Christian vocabulary, the Lord explained, implies that everyone possesses divinity within them, which directly contradicts the teachings of the Bible. The Bible clearly states that all people are sinners in need of redemption. God is not within people, but in heaven. People can only reach the Father through Me. This song is essentially spreading pantheism, leading people to believe that they themselves are God.
I saw a young pastor leading his congregation in singing this song. His theological training was insufficient, and he was captivated by the song's beautiful melody and lyrics. He didn't realize that he was spreading ideas contradicting the Bible to his congregation. I saw people in the congregation, while singing this song, beginning to believe that salvation came from their own inner strength, rather than from Christ's redemption.
7. The Fifth Song
The Lord continued to reveal the fifth song to me. This song's problem is more subtle, but also more dangerous. The lyrics are full of praise for God, but it focuses on what God has done for humanity, rather than God's own glory. The focus of the entire song is actually on how people benefit from God's love.
"Do you see?" the Lord asked me. Although this song mentions me, it is actually anthropocentric. True worship should focus on My glory, My holiness, My majesty, not on what I can do for others. When worship becomes anthropocentric, it ceases to be worship and becomes a religious version of self-focus.
I realized how dangerous this subtle deviation is! It's not as easily identifiable as obvious heresy, but it slowly, almost imperceptibly, shifts people's attention from God to themselves.
8. The Sixth Song
The revelation of the sixth song was almost unbearable for me.
This song sounds very devout and awe-inspiring, filled with descriptions of God's love; but the Lord revealed to me that the song actually portrays God as a God who desires human love, like a human lover. The lyrics use many romantic words and images, which are beautiful in human relationships, but when applied to the relationship with God, they diminish God's transcendence and divinity.
My relationship with my people is indeed intimate and gradual, but this intimacy is built on My divinity and their created nature. When people try to understand their relationship with me through the lens of human romantic love, they are actually reducing me to a human level. I am Almighty God, not a human lover. My love is sacred, pure, and transcends all human understanding.
I see many young people singing this song with a psychedelic gleam in their eyes! They project their own longing for human love onto their relationship with God. This confusion not only fails to deepen their understanding of God but also leads them to a flawed misunderstanding, personifying God as an object to satisfy their emotional needs.
9. The Seventh Song
Finally, the Lord revealed the seventh song to me.
This song is the most subtle and dangerous of all. Its lyrics are filled with biblical vocabulary and quotes, sounding perfectly aligned with biblical teaching. But the Lord showed me a crucial omission in the lyrics: it avoids discussing sin, repentance, and the cross. This song presents a gospel without the cross.
The Lord said sadly, "It speaks of My love, My grace, My blessings, but it avoids the core of salvation: the need for confession and repentance, the need for redemption on the cross. It makes people feel good, but doesn't let them confront the evil deeds of their sins. Such songs don't produce true believers, but rather consumers of religion."
10. My Heart Is Utterly Broken
When the revelation of all seven songs ended, my heart was utterly broken.
I realized how far we had strayed in ignorance! I realized how dangerously beautiful music and moving emotions could be a deception. I wept uncontrollably, not only for myself, but also for all those brothers and sisters who, like me, had been misled. I collapsed to the floor, tears soaking my clothes, my heart filled with shock, sorrow, and deep remorse.
I thought of how passionately I had sung these songs for the past twenty years; how proud I had been as a choir member, leading the congregation in singing them. Now I realized that I might have unwittingly participated in misleading other believers.
Lord! I prayed weepingly, what should I do? I now know the truth, but how should I face the brothers and sisters in the church? How should I tell them about the problems with these songs? Will they believe me? Will they think I'm creating division?
The Lord's voice rang out again, with infinite love and patience: My child, do not be afraid. I reveal these things to you not so that you may become a critic or a troublemaker. I want you to understand what true worship is, what true discernment is. First, you need to apply these truths in your own life, and then I will guide you on how to share them with others.
11. How to Determine if a Hymn is Problematic
I asked the Lord, "But Lord, how can I determine if other hymns are also problematic? Are they truly biblical?" The Lord began to reveal to me the principles of discernment:
⑴ Focus on the Lord Jesus
True worship songs should focus on me (Jesus Christ), not on people. They should praise my attributes, my holiness, righteousness, love, power, and wisdom.
(2) Acknowledging Human Sinfulness and the Need for Salvation
They should acknowledge human sinfulness and the need for salvation. They should exalt the cross and My work of redemption. They should encourage people to worship in truth, not merely to pursue emotional experiences.
(3) Teaching Truth or Wisdom
Does this song teach biblical truth or spread human wisdom?
(4) Helping People Understand God's Nature or Just Make Them Feel Good?
Will this song help people understand My nature more deeply, or will it only make them feel good?
(5) Relying on the Lord's Grace or on Their Own Efforts?
Does this song encourage people to rely on the Lord's grace or on their own efforts?
12. The Current Trend in the Church: Hymns Focus on Emotional Inspiration Rather Than Scripture
I am beginning to understand that the problem lies not only in those seven specific songs, but in the overall trend of modern church music. We focus too much on emotional inspiration, too much on making people feel good, too much on catering to the psychological needs of modern people, while neglecting the true purpose of worship: to give glory to God. The Lord revealed a deeper problem to me. These seven songs are just the tip of the iceberg. The real problem is that the modern church has lost its love of truth, replacing it with a pursuit of experience. People no longer ask, "Is this the truth?" but rather, "Does this make me feel good?" God's children no longer measure everything by the Bible, but by their own feelings.
I thought of my own church. The pastor always chose the most popular music, the songs that most evoked emotions. Our congregation also liked songs that made them cry, that moved them. Few people stopped to ask, "Are these lyrics biblical? Do the contents accurately reflect God's nature and the human condition?"
The Lord understood my thoughts and continued, "Your church is not unique. This is the problem of modern Christianity, which has entered the music industry, focusing more on market demand than theological accuracy. They produce songs that can sell well, tunes that can evoke emotions, instead of building hymns that conform to biblical teachings for believers."
13. The Lord Reveals a Larger Picture
I see a larger picture: countless churches singing various problematic songs every Sunday. I see young Christians having their theological views shaped by these songs. I see pastors focusing solely on the accuracy of their sermons, neglecting the fact that music also teaches brothers and sisters. The Lord reveals to me the immense power of music in shaping faith, for music is easier to remember and more likely to influence emotions and thoughts than sermons. A song can profoundly influence a person's theological views than a sermon.
The Lord Jesus said that brothers and sisters are not only memorizing melodies but also absorbing the content of the lyrics. If the message is wrong, it will unknowingly distort people's understanding of me. I thought of my own experiences. How many times, when facing difficulties, have I thought of the lyrics of a song instead of Bible verses? How many times has my understanding of God come from songs I've sung, rather than from Bible study? I realize that music plays a more important role in the life of faith than I imagined.
The Lord revealed to me a worrying trend: modern church music is becoming secularized, not because it uses modern instruments or styles, but because it adopts worldly values and ways of thinking. It emphasizes personal feelings and needs, not God's glory. It seeks immediate emotional gratification, not spiritual growth. It avoids difficult truths such as sin, judgment, repentance… focusing instead on lyrics that make people feel good. I am slowly understanding why the Lord revealed these things to me.
14. Hymns Must Be Bible-Centric
This is not just about problematic songs, but about the direction of modern Christian worship. We need to return to biblical principles and rethink what true worship and true praise are. The Lord revealed the solution to me:
First, you need to become a Bible-student; you cannot rely solely on your feelings to discern truth, but need to measure everything with My Word (the Bible). When you hear a song, compare its content with the Bible; when you find inconsistencies, choose the Bible as the standard.
Second, you need to look for songs that are truly My-centered. These songs may not give you immediate emotional satisfaction, or make you feel excited or thrilled, but they will help you know my nature more deeply, teaching you the truth about my holiness, righteousness, and love. They will remind you of the need for sin and salvation, encouraging you to worship me in truth.
I asked the Lord, how should I share these revelations with others? They would think I was too critical or strict. They would say that as long as the heart is right, the lyrics don't matter so much. The Lord's answer was full of wisdom: Don't rush to become a teacher. First, practice these biblical principles in your own life. When people see your worship becoming more devout and your faith more mature, they will naturally ask why. Then, you can gently and lovingly share the truth I have revealed to you.
The Lord warned me, remember, you are not trying to win arguments or prove yourself right. You are helping my people to know me more accurately and worship me more sincerely. This requires patience, love, and wisdom. Not everyone is ready to receive these truths, but the Holy Spirit will prepare their hearts at the right time. I began to understand that this revelation wasn't just about music, but also about the discernment needed for a Christian life.
15. Cultivating the Scripture to Measure Everything
We live in a world filled with various voices, with countless messages influencing our thoughts and actions daily. As Christians, we need to cultivate the ability to measure everything—music, books, movies, or any other form of media—by the Bible.
The Lord revealed to me the importance of this discernment! In the last days, deception will become more numerous and more subtle. Those who wish to mislead My people will not openly attack the faith, but will subtly distort the truth. They will use religious language and quote biblical verses, but their message will not conform to the truth. Only those rooted in the Word of the Bible will be able to recognize these deceptions.
I thought of Paul's warning in 2 Timothy:
"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to please their itching ears. They will shut their ears to the truth and turn aside to myths." (2 Timothy 4:3-4) Finally, the Lord said to me, "Child, do not lose heart." Though there are many doubts, my truth will always stand! Though there are many wrong songs, there are also many beautiful hymns that are in accordance with the Bible. Your task is to learn to discern, and then help others to do the same. Remember, I seek those who truly worship me in heart and in truth.
When this profound revelation ended, I felt my heart completely transformed. I was no longer a Christian who blindly accepted everything that seemed spiritual; I became a disciple who longed for the truth and was willing to pay the price for it. I knew the road ahead would not be easy, but I also knew that the Lord would be with me, guiding me on the path of truth.
16. Many ancient hymns are rooted in biblical truth
After that life-changing night, I faced a difficult choice: how to apply the revelation the Lord had given me in my daily life. The next few weeks were extremely difficult for me. Going to church every Sunday became a struggle because I could now clearly hear the problematic songs; yet those around me still sang them enthusiastically.
The first Sunday was the most difficult. As the music began and the congregation sang the song about loving oneself, I stood there, my lips moving, but my heart filled with anguish. I looked at the brothers and sisters around me, their faces beaming with joy and emotion, completely unaware that the teachings they were receiving contradicted biblical truth. I felt alone and helpless, as if I were the only one seeing the truth.
I began to question myself. Perhaps I was overthinking it, perhaps the Lord hadn't truly revealed anything to me, and it was all just my imagination; but whenever I thought of that night, the authenticity of the Lord's voice, the sorrow in His eyes, and His love for the truth, I knew I couldn't ignore it.
In the following days, I searched for hymns that aligned with biblical teaching and discovered many ancient hymns, their lyrics rooted in biblical truth, focusing on God's attributes and the work of redemption. I began singing these songs during personal worship time and found that they brought me not just emotional climaxes, but a deeper understanding of God and more sincere worship. Although the melodies of these songs might not be as stirring as modern songs, the message they conveyed was pure and powerful.
17. Sharing My Concerns with a Friend
I first approached my close friend Mark, who was very mature in his faith. I cautiously shared my concerns about certain songs, but his reaction disappointed me. “David,” Mark said, “I think you’re overthinking it. Music is merely a tool for worship; what matters is our hearts. As long as the motives are pure, the lyrics aren’t that important.” I tried to explain the influence of music on shaping minds, but Mark seemed unwilling to delve deeper into the issue; he worried that overanalyzing it would undermine the purity of worship.
I began to understand why the Lord warned me not to rush into becoming a teacher; not everyone is ready to accept these truths. I then tried speaking with the music pastor in my church, with similarly frustrating results. When I expressed my concerns about certain songs, he became very defensive; he told me that these songs were widely used in other churches and helped many people worship God better. He even implied that I was being too strict and critical, which might harm church unity. These experiences made me deeply aware of the difficulties of reformation.
I began to understand the challenges faced by reformers throughout history who attempted to bring the church back to biblical truth. People often prefer to cling to tradition and comfort rather than confront truths that might unsettle them.
18. The Lord's Encouragement
However, in my loneliest moment, the Lord offered me encouragement. I met an elderly sister named Esther, over eighty years old, widely respected in the church. When I shared my concerns with her, her eyes lit up. "David," she said, "I thank God for your insight. I've worried about this problem for a long time, thinking I was the only one who noticed; I've found that church music has gradually veered away in recent decades, no longer upholding biblical truth, but turning to cater to people's feelings."
Esther told me that in her youth, the church sang old hymns, simple in melody but profound and theologically rich in lyrics. She recalled that worship then focused on God's greatness and humanity's insignificance; it emphasized salvation and the sacrifice of the cross. Now, the songs, while melodious and emotionally rich, rarely address the truth; they are like religious entertainment, not true worship. I worry that the church is raising a next generation that seeks only feelings, not truth.
I realized I wasn't alone; others saw the same problem. We started meeting regularly to study biblical teachings on worship and to find hymns that aligned with the Bible. Gradually, we connected with other believers who shared the same concerns, forming a small group. Our goal wasn't to criticize or divide the church, but to practice more biblical worship principles in our own devotional lives.
I began carefully selecting hymns—music I heard in my car, at the gym, and during daily activities—realizing that this music was constantly shaping my thoughts and beliefs. I applied this discernment to my life, including reading books, watching movies, and even attending lectures and seminars. I learned to ask myself if these activities were consistent with biblical truth.
19. My Faith Life Changed
Six months later, my faith life changed. My understanding of God deepened and became more real; I no longer judged my spiritual state based on emotions. My prayer life became more honest and profound, allowing me to examine my sins and weaknesses more closely and experience the reality of God's grace more deeply. This change has made me more patient and loving towards people because I no longer focus on my own feelings, but on how to love God, love others, glorify God, and serve others. I have become more purposeful and focused, clearly aware of my identity and mission.
Now, a year later, I am learning to maintain discernment in this world filled with conflicting voices. I strive to uphold the truth, knowing it is a lifelong lesson; I also know the Lord will continue to guide me and help me grow. I want to say to those who read this testimony: do not be afraid to seek the truth, even if it may make you uncomfortable. Do not be satisfied with superficial spiritual experiences; seek a deeper knowledge of God; learn to measure everything by the Bible, including those that seem spiritual and pious.
Remember, true worship is not about our feelings, but about God's glory. I pray that God continues to reveal the truth to His church, that we all learn to worship Him in spirit and in truth, and that our praise and songs truly glorify His holy name. Amen.
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