There’s no argument that when it comes to worship, our heart is important.
It’s not just about the outward appearance, musical brilliance, or leadership savvy. It’s about the offering we bring to God from deep within our heart. God sees through what is fake and knows what’s there.
But guarding your heart isn’t simply an event or a moment of intense focus. It’s a lifestyle of healthy decisions – boundaries you place in your life to keep your heart pure, on-fire for Jesus, and above reproach.
I believe there are a few areas of focus here:
1. Guard Your Heart From Cynicism
Anyone who participates in the performing arts is prone to this. It feels good to criticize others because you subtly make yourself feel better. But are you ready for the hard truth? Cynicism keeps you from God.
Remember what Jesus said? “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Luke 19:17). Children don’t know what cynicism is. They haven’t lived long enough to discover it. They trust, believe, and dive into life with innocent passion.
What if you rediscovered this as a worshiper? Don’t just criticize music. Don’t become so professional that you can’t sing loud, shout, dance, and weep in the presence of God in corporate worship. One of your greatest assets as a worship leader is your childlike passion and vulnerability. Guard it.
2. Guard Your Heart From Sexual Temptation
You knew I had to mention this. No matter how often you read your Bible or pray, you will still be prone to temptation.
I’m not warning you about having an illicit affair, though that is important to resist. I’m talking about the little temptations to flirt – those moments where you give a piece of your heart away without realizing it.
Especially in the context of a worship team that is so emotionally charged, it’s easy to fall here. Make it a point to watch yourself. Get accountability in this area. And the best defense is good offense – love your husband or wife with relentless passion, whether you feel it or not.
And if you’re single, don’t use your worship team as place to show off and score points with that guy or girl 🙂 Guard your heart.
3. Guard Your Heart From Self Worship
Wow…self worship sounds a little heavy, doesn’t it Dave? Well, if the picture you had in your mind was you bowing down to a statue of yourself, then yes.
Self worship for worship leaders is much more subtle. I’m talking about the little ways we center our lives around…ourselves. It’s when worship leading becomes more about the opportunity than it does the offering. When we become more obsessed with our career than we do the call of God. It’s when we use the local church platform not as a place to give our lives, love the church, and serve others, but to draw attention to ourselves.
Guard yourself here. Pray for your church. Spend time with them. Serve off the stage. Do a song you may hate that your church loves. Be intentional about consistently taking your eyes off yourself.
Don’t misunderstand me.
I’m not saying you’re a filthy sinner if you fight these temptations. It just means you’re human. But it’s time to be proactive about guarding your heart.
You can do this. And watch your life and ministry explode with the love, authenticity, and fruit of Jesus.
I would love your input on this idea.
How do you guard your heart as a worship leader?
You can leave a comment by clicking here, which would be so awesome. Blogs are simply better when you contribute. Thanks for being awesome.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).
[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]
Great blog, Dave! So much truth to your points. Guarding your heart is what we are called to do as believers and because music, at its very core, is passion and can be emotionally charged, guarding your heart in this area is no different and is necessary!
There have been times where I have pulled back or stepped away from leading worship, not having a reasonable explanation to give a team, simply because it was between me and God and my husband. And protecting my marriage and family was a way bigger deal than having the opportunity to be on any stage. Honestly, because worship should never be about the stage anyways….it’s about who God is and worship is a daily lifestyle.
Consistently watching where my heart is at and where my mind wants to wonder to has been something I have always tried to do. If we don’t guard our hearts, things creep in without you even realizing where it is going….better to cut off any thoughts off before they hurt your heart or worse your relationship with God and spouse!
Wow, so good Amy. I love what you said here – “If we don’t guard our hearts, things creep in without you even realizing it.” So true! Thanks for the challenge.
David! I am new to your blog. Please let me say how much I appreciate your wisdom and insight. Awesome, timely stuff my friend! Thank you for being a servant of Christ and passing it along! Praying for you and your ministry!
Hey Mike, great to connect! Where do you lead worship?
Hi Dave.. great blog.. I love your 3 points..
I guard my heart by…
1. Getting positive and negative feedback through Survey Monkey every week… ‘don’t think more highly of yourself than you ought to think’
2. Reading the Word and spending time with God daily… (OT/NT, Psalms, Proverbs) ‘the Word of God is sharper than a two edged sword’.. God’s word always cuts through to my heart.
3. Having a passionate relationship with my wife and listening to her words of warning.
4. Never spending time alone with woman other than my wife.
5. Endeavouring to be the same worshipper in private and off stage that I am onstage… It’s called integrity.. If I honor God in my private times.. He honors me with His Presence in the public times..
Mark, I absolutely LOVE this list. Tell us a little bit more about #1 and the survey. I’m intrigued!
I am very interested in number 1 too. You do surveys? Very interested in that one.
I also agree with number 3. I will never mentor someone of the opposite sex or take a meeting without my wife present with someone of the opposite sex.
I remember one time in my life a few years ago I was so done with music and singing. Prayer was hard, if I did it at all. I remember one day I was driving and felt the Lord asking me to sing to him. I thought it was so strange and at first I said no way. I’m done with singing. But I felt that gentle urge. I started singing to Him. I had to pull over. I had a time with the Lord. I learned what true worship was and how what I do in front of a crowd is directly connected to my time with Him! I’m in agreement on #5 with all my heart!
Thanks, for sharing!
And survey, I’m interested in that 🙂
So good, Chris! Funny you mention that story because a very similar thing happened to me a couple days ago. Gotta love some good car worship 🙂
I love that article! It’s so easy to get carried away and subtly become a worship leader/singer ‘celebrity’ when God says his glory he will not share with anyone. We should make the effort to seek God’s face through fasting and praying once in a week to ask for purging of those inherited and acquired weaknesses that often soil our spiritual garment.
We must remember often that we are but mere dust. God picked us up from our filth, wash us with the Blood of Jesus and refine us for his pleasure. It does not take him seconds to replace any arrogant vessel, no matter how much investment he’s put in their lives, if they fail to comply with his standard. So, worship leaders/singers, you were bought with a price (the blood of Jesus ); glorify God with your whole life, not only your life.
Preach it!
We guard our hearts by renewing our minds daily through the reading of Gods word.
Thank you David for your wisdom
Sometimes I feel that we need to guard our hearts against that selfish drive to be “that guy” (or girl). You know who I’m talking about. The guy who has it all together. He looks great, he talks cool, he prays better than me, he plays guitar (or piano or whatever it may be for you) better than me, and when he/she leads worship, mountains move! Anytime we get up on stage to fulfill these sort of jealous goals, we aren’t worshiping for the right reasons. This will no doubt affect our ability to minister to the congregation.
– Why is it that I feel like my worship leading will somehow be better or more spiritually moving if I make sure I’m wearing the latest trendy clothing as opposed to a dress shirt and tie?
– Sometimes I feel that we as worship leaders are as guilty as anyone at trying to fit ourselves into a stereotype or an “image”. We all want to be as “cool” as Chris Tomlin. The fact of the matter is that God did not call all of us to be Chris Tomlin. He wants me to just be me. And he wants me to do the job that only I can do. God doesn’t care what I’m wearing when I worship Him. So I shouldn’t “dress to impress” so to speak, because it doesn’t impress God.
– Sometimes I feel that the whole idea of worship leading is distracted or confused by the fact that we (the leaders) get up on stage in front of everyone every service. Now, I am not suggesting that this is wrong or evil in any way so please understand the point I am trying to make. It should be our desire as worship leaders to encourage people toward an encounter with Christ, without drawing any attention or credit to ourselves. This is one reason why I love worshiping around a campfire. There is no stage, no lights, no camera, and really no one in front. There is only individuals worshiping our awesome God and King together.
*Lord help me to guard my heart against these things.
Nolan, this is convicting stuff. I agree – we can often be more impressed with and committed to our own image than we are the glory of God. This is a great reminder to all of us. Thanks!
Oh and by the way, David, your blogs are inspirational and encouraging. Thank you for writing!
My pleasure, Nolan. Thanks for reading and commenting. That makes all the difference!
I have recently heard that the more Glory Given to God in your life the closer to HIS vision for your life you are. So for me, I would see, The more glory I Give God the less of me I see and the More of His move in my life is present!
Yes!
Hi David! I really agree on your points. I’m just new to your blog and I just want to thank you for letting God use your life as a vessel of His wisdom. Indeed, guarding our hearts does matter in worship, especially to us youth who are really prone to early commitment and relationships even while in ministry of worship. It really saddens me to see some fellow young worship team members disregard this very important matter of the heart. But I believe prayers could really do so much regarding this matter. I hope you could also stand in prayers for all the youth worship leaders and worship team members around the globe that we would really learn by heart the true essence of worship and preach it out to the next generation ahead of us. Thanks again for your blog, and I was really blessed with what God is doing through your life. May blessings continue to overflow in your ministry and in your personal life. God bless!
Carmela, thanks for the kind words! I echo your passion for the youth. We’ve got to raise up the next generation!
Hey, and by the way, I just want to ask for any suggestions on good books discussing so much about worship? My biggest thank you for this! 🙂 God bless your day 🙂
Here’s my recommendations: https://www.davidsantistevan.com/books-for-worship-leaders/
Thanks! Looking forward to more of your posts. God bless!
This is such a blessing Dave. I totally agree we are worship beings created to worship God and this is either on stage or off stage which becomes even more evident to any worship leader. Hence we cant afford to ignore the important urge to guard our hearts when it comes to worship because God is holy. And he hates sin, that is to say going to his presence with an unclean heart is simply hindering his flow in our midst.