Who Gets to Define Worship?
“But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.” - John 4:23–24 CSB
We all have preferences. We have preferences about music. Food. Temperature. How early we like to arrive somewhere. How loud the room should be. How church should feel. None of that is necessarily wrong.
The problem begins when preference quietly becomes authority.
That is part of what is happening in John 4. The Samaritan woman is talking with Jesus, and the conversation turns toward worship. There had been a long-running disagreement between Samaritans and Jews about where people were supposed to worship God. The Samaritans worshiped on Mount Gerizim. The Jews worshiped in Jerusalem. So she essentially asks Jesus, "Who has it right?"
And Jesus takes the conversation somewhere much deeper.
Because the biggest question is not: Where do you prefer to worship? The biggest question is: Who gets to define worship?
And the answer is God.
That sounds obvious until we begin looking at the ways we actually think about Him. We say things like: "I think God would understand." "I can't imagine God caring about that." "The God I believe in would never…" "I feel like God wants…"
Feelings matter. Experiences matter. Traditions can be valuable. But none of those things have the authority to define God. God defines God. And He has revealed Himself through His Word.
That matters because you can be completely sincere and still be sincerely wrong. Jesus tells the woman that the Samaritans were worshiping what they did not fully know. Their sincerity was not enough to turn an inaccurate understanding of God into truth.
And if we're honest, we face the same temptation. We can slowly construct a version of God around the things we already believe. A God who agrees with our politics. A God who approves of our relationships. A God who never challenges our priorities. A God who conveniently dislikes everything we dislike. A God who asks very little from us.
Eventually, without realizing it, we can stop worshiping God as He has revealed Himself and begin worshiping a version of Him built from our own preferences.
That is why Scripture matters so deeply.
The Bible does more than give us inspirational thoughts about God. Scripture corrects us. It confronts us. It reveals things about God that comfort us and things about God that unsettle us. It shows us His mercy and His holiness. His compassion and His authority. His patience and His judgment. His grace and His truth.
And true worship begins when we stop asking God to fit inside the version of Him we prefer.
Jesus says the Father is seeking worshipers who worship in Spirit and in truth. Truth means reality matters. Who God actually is matters. What God has actually said matters. What God has revealed about Himself matters.
So here is where this gets personal.
Ask yourself where your picture of God came from. Your parents? A former church? A painful experience? Social media? A pastor? Your emotions? Your culture?
Some of those influences may have taught you beautiful things. Some may have distorted what you believe. Either way, Scripture must be allowed to have the final word.
Because worship begins when we see God as He truly is and respond accordingly. His holiness produces reverence. His mercy produces gratitude. His authority produces surrender. His grace produces worship.
So today, do not begin by asking, "What kind of God am I comfortable with?" Open His Word and ask: "God, who have You revealed Yourself to be?"
Then allow the answer to shape you. Because God does not need to become more like the version of Him we prefer. We need to see Him more clearly. And when we do, worship begins.
Reflection Question
Finish this sentence honestly: "My view of God is most easily shaped by __________."
Where might that influence need to be corrected or clarified by Scripture?
True worship begins when we stop shaping God around our preferences and start responding to God as He has revealed Himself.
Prayer
Father, show me where I have allowed my preferences, experiences, emotions, or culture to shape my understanding of You more than Your Word. Correct what I believe wrongly.
Help me see You as You truly are. Holy Spirit, lead me into truth and give me a heart that responds to what You reveal. Teach me to worship You with my mind, heart, will, and life. In Jesus' name, amen.
We all have preferences. We have preferences about music. Food. Temperature. How early we like to arrive somewhere. How loud the room should be. How church should feel. None of that is necessarily wrong.
The problem begins when preference quietly becomes authority.
That is part of what is happening in John 4. The Samaritan woman is talking with Jesus, and the conversation turns toward worship. There had been a long-running disagreement between Samaritans and Jews about where people were supposed to worship God. The Samaritans worshiped on Mount Gerizim. The Jews worshiped in Jerusalem. So she essentially asks Jesus, "Who has it right?"
And Jesus takes the conversation somewhere much deeper.
Because the biggest question is not: Where do you prefer to worship? The biggest question is: Who gets to define worship?
And the answer is God.
That sounds obvious until we begin looking at the ways we actually think about Him. We say things like: "I think God would understand." "I can't imagine God caring about that." "The God I believe in would never…" "I feel like God wants…"
Feelings matter. Experiences matter. Traditions can be valuable. But none of those things have the authority to define God. God defines God. And He has revealed Himself through His Word.
That matters because you can be completely sincere and still be sincerely wrong. Jesus tells the woman that the Samaritans were worshiping what they did not fully know. Their sincerity was not enough to turn an inaccurate understanding of God into truth.
And if we're honest, we face the same temptation. We can slowly construct a version of God around the things we already believe. A God who agrees with our politics. A God who approves of our relationships. A God who never challenges our priorities. A God who conveniently dislikes everything we dislike. A God who asks very little from us.
Eventually, without realizing it, we can stop worshiping God as He has revealed Himself and begin worshiping a version of Him built from our own preferences.
That is why Scripture matters so deeply.
The Bible does more than give us inspirational thoughts about God. Scripture corrects us. It confronts us. It reveals things about God that comfort us and things about God that unsettle us. It shows us His mercy and His holiness. His compassion and His authority. His patience and His judgment. His grace and His truth.
And true worship begins when we stop asking God to fit inside the version of Him we prefer.
Jesus says the Father is seeking worshipers who worship in Spirit and in truth. Truth means reality matters. Who God actually is matters. What God has actually said matters. What God has revealed about Himself matters.
So here is where this gets personal.
Ask yourself where your picture of God came from. Your parents? A former church? A painful experience? Social media? A pastor? Your emotions? Your culture?
Some of those influences may have taught you beautiful things. Some may have distorted what you believe. Either way, Scripture must be allowed to have the final word.
Because worship begins when we see God as He truly is and respond accordingly. His holiness produces reverence. His mercy produces gratitude. His authority produces surrender. His grace produces worship.
So today, do not begin by asking, "What kind of God am I comfortable with?" Open His Word and ask: "God, who have You revealed Yourself to be?"
Then allow the answer to shape you. Because God does not need to become more like the version of Him we prefer. We need to see Him more clearly. And when we do, worship begins.
Reflection Question
Finish this sentence honestly: "My view of God is most easily shaped by __________."
Where might that influence need to be corrected or clarified by Scripture?
True worship begins when we stop shaping God around our preferences and start responding to God as He has revealed Himself.
Prayer
Father, show me where I have allowed my preferences, experiences, emotions, or culture to shape my understanding of You more than Your Word. Correct what I believe wrongly.
Help me see You as You truly are. Holy Spirit, lead me into truth and give me a heart that responds to what You reveal. Teach me to worship You with my mind, heart, will, and life. In Jesus' name, amen.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Love You Receive, Not Love You EarnLove That Comes to RescueLove That Saves Also SendsWhen God Says “New."God Redeems the Past Instead of Erasing It.God Makes a Way Where None Seems Possible.Trust Comes Before ClarityWhen God’s New Work Confronts Old RulersThe God Who Finishes What He BeginsRenewal Begins With Who You Already AreRenewal Is a Process, Not a PerformanceRenewal Starts in the Way You ThinkRenewal Requires Letting GoRenewal Replaces, Not EmptiesRenewal Is Sustained by Who Rules Your HeartIdentity Is Declared, Not DiscoveredNew Identity Begins with Union, Not ImprovementThe Old No Longer Gets the Final SayThe New Is True Even When You Don’t Feel ItWalking in New Identity Means Agreeing with GodNew Identity Always Moves OutwardGod Establishes the Steps, Not YouGod Delights in Dependence, Not PerfectionFalling Is Assumed, Not DisqualifyingGod’s Response Is Grip, Not FrustrationFaith Is the Next Step, Not the Full PlanHeld by Nails So You’d Be Held by Grace
February
Christ Doesn’t Visit, He DwellsLove Is the Foundation, Not the RewardAgapē Love Holds When You’re ShakyThe Love of Christ Is Beyond MeasurementFilled With God, Not SubstitutesRooted Love Becomes Outward LoveLove Is Commanded, Not SuggestedLove Is an Act of Obedience, Not a Feelingour Neighbor Is the One God Put in Front of YouThe Love You Receive Is the Love You ReleaseYou Cannot Love Like This Without the GospelLoving Others Is the Evidence of a Changed HeartContract Love Proves NothingLove Without LeverageMercy Is the Family ResemblanceJesus Is the Proof and the PatternCancel the LedgerMove Toward the UnlovableLove Has a StandardLove Is Chosen, Not AccidentalSubstitution, Not InspirationFrom Enemies to FriendsReceive Before You ResembleLay Something Down
March
Faith Rests on What HoldsFaith Trusts Before It Sees Bible Verseaith Anchors in God’s Character, Not OutcomesFaith Moves, Not Just AgreesFaith Endures Without Immediate ReinforcementFaith Fixes Its Eyes on ChristThe Two Ways We WalkFaith Is the Instrument of the Christian LifeWhen Sight Becomes Your MasterYour Identity Is Anchored in a Greater RealityFaith Moves Before the Outcome AppearsThe Savior Who Walked Before YouThe King We WantThe King We Actually NeedWhen God’s Plan Doesn’t Make Sense YetWhen Praise Doesn’t LastThe King Who Rode Toward the CrossThe Road That Leads to LifeThe Problem Beneath the ProblemThe Covenant God PromisedThe Lamb God ProvidedThe Cross That Actually SavesThe Table That RemindsResting in What Christ SecuredThe Cross Exposes UsThe Cross Reveals God
April
The Cross Displays SubstitutionThe Cross Declares “Finished”The Cross Demands a ResponseThe Cross Invites You to RestThe Empty Tomb Confronts Our AssumptionsDeath Doesn’t Get the Final WordWhen It Becomes PersonalYou Don’t Stay NeutralLive Like It's TrueThe Road to LifeWhen God Stops Being CasualWisdom Has a FoundationYour Problem Isn’t ConfusionWhat Actually Rules YouThe Gospel Reorders EverythingThe Step That Changes EverythingYou Are Being FormedThe People Around You Are Shaping YouWho Has Your Ear?Your Life Reveals What You ValueThe Gospel Re-Forms YouThe Step That Builds Your LifeYou’re Not Lacking Options… You’re Lacking Wisdom
No Comments