In recent years we have seen increasing worldliness in our worship services and church activities. One of the manifestations of this is applauding for specials, speeches or recitations of Scripture. Do those who sing do it to entertain us or do they do it for the glory of God and the edification of the hearer? If a child shows he has memorized the books of the Bible should we reward him with applause? If, at an association meeting, a mass choir imparts a beautiful rendition of "Amazing Grace", are we to praise them for it?
In the Bible we find only one verse where clapping is being used as a form of praise to God. In Psalm 47:1 we read, "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph." Hands were clapped at the anointing of a king according to II Kings 11:12 but that was by no means a worship service.
In the world applause is an accepted manner of praising those who perform. We see it at concerts, plays and on television. We see it at sports events and school programs. Unfortunately, some have a tendency to incorporate into worship services and church related activities those things that are practiced in the world but Jesus, in his prayer to the Father said as recorded in John 17:14-16 that, although we are in the world, we are not of the world. Paul further stated in Romans 12:2 that we are not to be conformed to this world. John adds in 1 John 2:15, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." In the world applause may have its place but it does not in the worship services of our churches. What ever happened to a resounding AMEN? Amen, which means "it is so", expresses our approval of and agreement with that which has been expressed by the singer or speaker.
I want to challenge you to think about the reason for clapping for those who render special service. Is it to praise them for their work and to encourage them to develop and use their talent? I will remind you that Jesus said in Matt. 6:2, "Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." He continued in Matt. 6:5, "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Jesus further added in Matt. 6:16, "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward." Jesus made it clear that the service which we perform for God is not to be a public spectacle to be praised of men but a heart-felt service to God which He will reward.
I hope that those who sing or speak before God's people do it for him and I believe that most would appreciate an "amen" rather than applause. I hope that those who have become accustomed to applauding will become as uncomfortable as I am with it and will think about this. Was the rendition for the honor of God or the praise of man? Is you applause for the honor of God or to praise man? Let us keep those worldly practices which don't benefit our churches out of our churches.