“Don’t let your life give evidence against your tongue. Sing with your voices… sing also with your conduct” (St. Augustine).

I think it was Brennan Manning who once said that the greatest single cause for atheism in the world are Christians who profess Jesus with their lips, and then walk out the door of worship and deny Him with their lifestyle.

That’s the classic definition of a hypocrite — pretending to be something that you’re not. And the best way to determine a phony is not what comes out of their mouth but how they act, especially when they think no one’s watching.

That’s the reasoning behind Romans 12:1-2. Worship isn’t just singing. Worship is sacrifice.

Anyone can sing songs about God. Anyone can get caught up in the moment and say it’s worship. But then again, you can do the same thing at a secular concert or at a football game.

True worship isn’t an event but a lifestyle. It doesn’t start at 9:30 on Sunday morning but from the moment you wake up until you lay your head on the pillow at night.

Yes, sing to the Lord. Sing loudly — even if you sound like a dying moose. But also sing with your actions as well as your words. Sing with your work ethic. Sing with your compassion to those in need around you. Sing with how well you love your spouse and your family. Sing with your life.