What is true worship according to the Bible?

True worship is in spirit and truth (John 4:24), reverent and awe-filled (Hebrews 12:28-29), and Word-saturated (Colossians 3:16).

What are the dangers of counterfeit worship?

Idolatry, syncretism, and man-centeredness are counterfeit forms of worship that dishonor God and malnourish His people.

True Worship According to God’s Word

⏱️ Estimated Reading Time: 1 min read

Contending for the Word – September 16, 2025

True Worship According to God’s Word

Series Theme: True Worship in an Age of Counterfeits

In this episode of Contending for the Word, Dave Jenkins explores what Scripture teaches about true worship and why it matters for every believer. From John 4:24, Hebrews 12:28–29, and Colossians 3:16, we see that worship must be in spirit and truth, reverent and awe-filled, and saturated with God’s Word.

Dave also warns against the dangers of counterfeit worship—idolatry, syncretism, and man-centeredness—that dishonor God and malnourish His people. Worship is not entertainment, performance, or preference. It is God-centered, Christ-exalting, and Spirit-empowered.

Key Scriptures Referenced

John 4:24 — Worship in spirit and truth
Hebrews 12:28–29 — Worship with reverence and awe
Colossians 3:16 — Word-centered worship and song
Exodus 32 — Idolatry and the golden calf
Deuteronomy 12:29–31 — Guarding against syncretism
Acts 12 — Warning against man-centeredness
Isaiah 6; Revelation 4–5; Psalm 95

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Dave Jenkins( Executive Director )

Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.

Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.

He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age (G3 Press, 2022), and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).

You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.

When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.

Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.

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