Valuing Jesus Over Music: Why He Is Greater Than Any Song

Music has always been a significant part of my life. I remember first playing the piano at the age of 6, and since then, my love for music has only grown. Throughout high school, I was involved in choirs and even pursued a piano performance degree in college. After college, I spent eight years traveling full-time with a Christian band, experiencing the power of music in bringing people together and connecting with God.

Music is a gift from God, and it has the ability to lift our spirits, comfort us, and express what words sometimes can't. I am especially grateful for music in the context of worship in the church. There have been countless times when singing with a congregation has deeply affected me, even bringing me to tears. It is in those moments that the presence of the Holy Spirit is tangibly felt, and we are united in our worship of God (Ephesians 5:18–19).

However, as much as I love music, I have come to realize that it is possible to place too much emphasis on the emotional experience it evokes, rather than the truth it conveys. This struggle is not new, as even the great theologian Augustine wrestled with it over sixteen hundred years ago. Augustine acknowledged the benefits of singing and listening to music, but he also recognized the danger of valuing the feelings produced by music over the truth it represents. He confessed that when he found the singing itself more moving than the truth it conveyed, it was a grievous sin for him (Confessions).

If someone as spiritually mature as Augustine struggled with this issue, it is likely that many of us do as well. However, we may not view it as a grievous sin, but rather as a normal part of our experience with music. The danger lies in confusing the feelings produced by music with the feelings produced by the truth of God's Word. In addressing how we should sing, the apostle Paul advises us to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16). It is the message of Christ, the gospel, that should be dwelling in us richly as we sing, not just the musical experience itself.

To discern whether we are valuing musically-induced feelings over spiritual ones, here are some indicators to consider:

1. Do we respond more emotionally to the musical elements of a song rather than its content?
2. Do singing on Sundays often feel boring or devoid of meaning?
3. Do we care more about how songs make us feel rather than what they actually say?
4. Do we find ourselves not thinking much about the words we are singing?
5. Do we have a hard time connecting with God apart from music, especially the music we like?

If one or more of these statements resonate with us, it is a sign that we may be valuing music over Jesus. However, the good news is that music is great, but Jesus is greater. Let me explain why.

Firstly, the Giver is always greater than the gift. While music can bring us joy and comfort, it is Jesus who is the ultimate source of all good things. Just as my wife's excitement over a dining room table on Christmas morning pales in comparison to her love for me, our love for music should pale in comparison to our love for Jesus. The apostle Paul counted everything as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:8). We should view music as rubbish in comparison to the greatness of Jesus.

Secondly, while music can provide temporary comfort in difficult times, only Jesus can offer eternal comfort. We may turn to our favorite songs or artists when we are feeling down, but true and lasting comfort can only come from Jesus. Paul prayed for the Thessalonians, asking that God would comfort their hearts and establish them in every good work and word through the eternal comfort and good hope of grace found in Jesus (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17). If singing or listening to worship music does not lead us into a deeper relationship with Jesus, it is misleading us.

Thirdly, music can inspire and move us, but it cannot replace the truth that Jesus embodies. The harmonies, melodies, and arrangements of music can touch our hearts, but they cannot articulate the amazing news of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins or lead us to a true understanding of God's promises. Only Jesus, the living Word, can do that. Music may be a pointer, but it is the truth of Jesus that we should be seeking.

Fourthly, while singing together with others can create a powerful sense of unity, it is only Jesus who can truly make us one. Singing in a crowd may give us a fleeting feeling of oneness, but it is Jesus who unites us in a deep and meaningful way. Through his death on the cross, Jesus has broken down the barriers that separate us and has made us one body (Ephesians 2:14–15). Singing together with other believers is vastly different from singing at a concert or sporting event. If we do not understand this difference, we may be valuing music over Jesus.

Lastly, and most importantly, only Jesus can save. Music can move us, comfort us, and inspire us, but it cannot save us from our sins or reconcile us to God. Only Jesus can do that. He alone can raise us from the dead, defeat Satan, bring us into God's presence, transform our hearts, restore our losses, and ensure our eternal joy in his presence. Music may be a beautiful gift, but it is Jesus who is the greatest gift of all.

So, how can we cultivate a love for Jesus that is greater than our love for music? It starts with intentionally focusing on the lyrics that we sing, rather than getting caught up in the musical accompaniment. When we are feeling discouraged or anxious, we can turn to the words of the Psalms or other biblical passages for comfort and encouragement. We can also try spending time in silence or prayer, allowing ourselves to connect with God without the use of music. These practices can help us shift our focus from the emotional experience of music to the truth of Jesus.

In conclusion, music is a wonderful gift from God that has the power to move us and bring us closer to Him. However, we must be careful not to place more value on the feelings produced by music than on the truth of God's Word. Jesus is greater than any song or musical experience. He is the one who offers eternal comfort, unites us as one body, and saves us from our sins. Let us remember that while music is great, Jesus is greater.