One day, I was in my living room with my family gathered at the house. My grandson’s smile and his attempts to walk captured our attention, while my granddaughter’s radiant smile lit up the room. In the background, a worship song played repeatedly from the television mounted on the wall, tugging at my heart.

I paused and found myself experiencing a familiar emotion—one I often feel when hearing worship music, as the voices and melodies stir the heart and awaken a deep yearning for the Lord. What I find interesting is that, in these moments, I wrestle with the fact that many groups known for this particular sound are not theologically solid. Often, they intentionally craft their music to evoke an emotional response. This tension is something I want to explore further as I reflect on it now.

I want to share the song I heard—not to promote it, but to examine what I felt and to explore the deeper question of worship and its impact on our affections. The song was “Mighty One,” written by Todd Dulaney, Mitch Wong, and Dante Bowe. It was released as part of Jubilee: Juneteenth Edition on June 18, 2021, and recorded live at a worship event celebrating Juneteenth.

As the song played in the background and caught my attention, I realized that my heart was stirred first—before I even focused on the lyrics. This brought to mind some questions. Is this wrong? Or is it simply the response of a heart already surrendered to the Lord? Was it the Spirit within me, moving me to do what I was created for? These were the questions racing through my mind in that moment.

As a someone who holds to the Doctrines of Grace, my initial response is always to be discerning and critical of such experiences which is not wrong to do. But this time I wanted to dig a little deeper than just to dish what I felt aside. I really felt what I felt. So what do I do with that?

First, I believe it’s important to define what worship truly is. No matter how I feel, if my emotions don’t align with what God says about worship, then it’s merely an experience. No matter how amazing it may feel, worship is ultimately about what God defines it to be, rather than how I personally experience it.

So what is worship? Worship is a wholehearted response to God that goes beyond mere emotions or rituals. It is spiritual, rooted in truth, and requires a life of surrender to Him (John 4:23-24, Romans 12:1). 

True worship is expressed through obedience, as honoring God is not just about external acts but about following His commands with a devoted heart (1 Samuel 15:22, Matthew 15:8-9). It is marked by reverence and awe, recognizing His holiness and majesty (Hebrews 12:28-29). 

Worship includes thanksgiving and praise, but it is not confined to singing—it extends to every aspect of life, as we glorify God in all we do (Psalm 95:1-2, 1 Corinthians 10:31). Ultimately, worship is about aligning our hearts, minds, and actions with God’s will, offering ourselves fully to Him in love and obedience.

Worship is a wholehearted response to God that goes beyond emotions or rituals, encompassing truth, surrender, obedience, reverence, and a life that glorifies Him in all things. The New Bible Dictionary (Third Edition) defines worship as “worth-ship,” originally referring to the act of expressing homage to God because He is worthy of it. This means that worship begins with God and is only for Him.

As I heard the song playing in the background, the voices blended beautifully with the melody. In that moment, I felt the beauty and preciousness of being with my family, filled with gratitude to the Lord for the moment we shared. My heart was fully engaged, and the song complemented the moment as a reminder of the blessing given by the Lord of life. But does this moment validate the song as appropriate for worship?

Todd Dulaney is currently a member of Living Word Christian Center in Forest Park, IL, under the ministry of Dr. Bill Winston, a well-known “Word of Faith” preacher. Dulaney was also involved in an altercation that resulted in a warrant for his arrest. Regardless of whether he was at fault, the issue is not simply about personal struggles—something we all face—but rather the theological foundation of the songs he is involved in.

​In September 2022, Maverick City Music announced they were pausing their professional relationship with Dante Bowe, citing behavior inconsistent with their core values and beliefs.  While the group did not give details, it was later revealed that Bowe had accidentally posted an inappropriate photo on his Instagram account, which he promptly deleted. This brings to mind the need to ask the fundamental questions about what worship is. Especially when many have bought into a celebrity culture brand of worship.

Can a song created by individuals with theological or moral issues still impact a heart that genuinely seeks the Lord? I believe it can stir the affections of a true believer, but not necessarily because the song itself is Spirit-led. Rather, a redeemed heart is already inclined toward God, and its response to worship is a reflection of that transformation.

However, I felt the emotion before even focusing on the lyrics. This led me to ask myself, “Have I ever had an emotional response to songs that have nothing to do with the Lord?” The answer is yes. Love songs, for example, are designed to evoke emotions and elicit a response from the listener. Sadly, much of today’s worship music aims to do the same.

The emotional response and the moment itself should never justify the means by which those feelings were produced, no matter how real or good they felt. What truly legitimizes it is the truth.

I didn’t initially hear the lyrics of the song, yet my redeemed heart still responded. This response comes from a place of truth—rooted in my genuine faith in Christ. Because of that, there are moments when my heart responds to worship, regardless of what is being sung or who is singing it. However, this does not mean I should settle for worship that is centered on human emotions rather than on God Himself.

In The Handbook of Bible Prayers by Martin Manser and Mike Beaumont, they state:

“Worship cuts across this utilitarian instinct, for it promises nothing for me; it is something that is given solely to God. And yet, here is the strange thing: when we give ourselves to praising and worshipping him, a whole host of things happen to me and for me! Such is the mystery of worship.”

My response was simply the result of the Lord’s work within me—the song itself was not special. The beauty I experienced in that moment with my family was a reflection of the beauty and work God is doing in my heart. The emotion I felt as the song played in the background did not create my desire and gratitude toward the Lord; rather, it was the Lord’s work in my heart that stirred those affections.

When we dedicate ourselves to praising and worshiping God, the transformation that takes place within us and for us comes from Him, not from the music itself. Worship is not confined to songs; even the inanimate world proclaims His glory. Though rocks have no breath, no hearts to feel, and no ears to hear, they would still cry out in praise if we remained silent. It would seem absurd to buy headphones for stones—after all, stones don’t cry. Yet, if we withhold from God the worship that is rightfully His, even the rocks would take our place in praising Him.

A redeemed heart that responds to a song with admiration for the Lord’s work is not a validation of the song itself, but a reflection of the Redeemer’s work within that heart. This is why, in the gathering of the saints, we must be cautious about using commercialized worship bands that prioritize emotional appeal over truth. While emotions are important, they should arise as a response to truth, not be the foundation of worship. Therefore, when the church gathers each week, it should strive to exalt the Lord in both spirit and truth.

There are times when we recognize God’s common grace and general revelation, and in those moments, a genuine believer in Christ can respond with worship. That was my experience when I heard the song. Although it was created by individuals associated with a heretical church and whose lives lack integrity, my heart’s desire is to worship the Lord. The worship that flows from me is not because of the song itself but because of the love God has given me—love that I did nothing to earn. 

When I hold my grandchildren and see their smiles, my heart overflows with thanksgiving and joy. If a song happens to complement that moment, so be it—but my worship and gratitude do not depend on it. I am simply joining all of creation in giving the Lord the honor He deserves.