Eye for an "I"

When we are selecting songs for ministry, we must always be aware of lyrical content. There are some songs that make us feel good and stir our emotions when we hear them. There are some songs that bring us to tears. There are songs that make us want to get up and dance. There are songs that evoke good and bad memories.

There are also songs that bring more attention to "us" than the Lord. All songs in the gospel and Christian music categories are not all necessarily acknowledging Christ. If the songs use "I" a lot and do not glorify God, then we must do inventory on our own spiritual well-being. We may choose songs at times that are based on what ministers to our personal life situations. Let us always remember (as with the prophets in the Bible), the Lord will give messages that are also directed towards other people.

If it will help, take a look at the written lyrics of a song and dissect what each word is saying, and then its overall message. We have liberty through the Spirit and can minister spiritual songs as long as they are in line with the Word. God is Spirit. This same evaluation can apply to our choreography as well. Are all of the movements pointing to us (chest, heart, head, etc)? If the words repeat "I," "me" and "we" often and refers to man instead of the Lord, then we need to confront who the song is really about, and Who gets the ultimate glory.

Amos 5:22-24 (NKJV)
Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will not accept them, nor will I regard your fattened peace offerings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water.

Psalm 96:1 (NKJV)
Oh, sing to the LORD a new song! Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

Luke 1:46-47 (NKJV)
[The Song of Mary] And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

Colossians 3:16 (NKJV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.