“Worship” these days is often more pagan than Christian.

It’s no longer about reverent obedience to the Sovereign God of Scripture …

But about the pagan practice of conjuring up some false spirit or man-made diety through intense, manipulated feelings.

It does this by convincing people that the more some song, band, or hip “worship leader” can make us feel intense emotions, the more we’re experiencing God’s “presence.”

Of course, an authentic encounter with God will legitimately invoke intense emotions.

But that is far different than the current practice of invoking intense emotions …

And calling it “God.”

This has become the new idolatry, by equating manipulated feelings with God Himself.

It is an addictive distraction from who God truly is, and how He wants to dwell among us and in us as our Sovereign Lord.

It also is a distortion born of carnal men, and is nowhere found in the New Testament.

Nope, not, nada …

Just ain’t there.

Yet it has become big business, with mega churches and mega recording deals …

While supplanting the simple New Testament commands to congregationally sing God’s praises together for the sole purpose of simply encouraging one another.

Unfortunately, though, it will continue to thrive …

Because just like the pagans, people still want a God who appeals to their carnality and is easy to manipulate.