The Danger of Talent

Prevalent among churches and ministries is the insatiable desire to attract and retain talent. Talented singers, musicians, and worship leaders are highly regarded for their ability to raise the atmosphere of praise, with skill, and natural ability. Seldom raised is the caution flag against the dependence on talent. After all, it is counter-intuitive to view talent as a hindrance. In reality, talent is more often a distraction in the house of God than its absence.

Should musicians be gifted, talented players? Absolutely, but the greatest gift is the ability to skillfully bring your talent into submission.

There are times when the easiest note to play or sing is the note birthed out of our natural gifting or cultivated skill. These notes, whether simple or complex, often ring the loud bell of individualism, and consequently make the path of seeing Jesus and He alone, unclear. Ironically, less talented musicians sing and play out of their lack, which many times is in closer proximity to the tangible anointing of God. Worship leaders, singers, and musicians must always keep one thing in mind; the anointing will not compete with you, and will only show up when you are not there. More clearly stated, our absence is filled with the Holy Spirit, not our presence.

Less is not only more, it is required. For the singer who can riff fifteen notes in 2 seconds, or the player with a lexicon of licks, try minimalism and honor the melody. You may be surprised at the depth hidden inside such simplicity.

No matter how experienced we are, reducing ourselves is always an uncomfortable act. Much like prayer and fasting, there is discipline involved. Remember, Lucifer was and still is the Chief Musician. Think on that for a moment. Heaven has never replaced him, his former position remains vacant. He is now on earth with the same spirit of self, and the same talents he possessed before his fall. This is vital to keep in mind, because his primary gifting was, and still is music. It follows that he would have an edge in using this particular domain against God. I maintain that more than drugs or sexual promiscuity, music will cause more to miss heaven than anything else.

The enemy no longer has to draw attention away from God, he simply encourages us to. He doesn’t sit at the keys, or pick up a guitar at church, he has surrogates. Over the last two decades I’ve worked with some of the greatest musicians in the world. Their play can cause absolute amazement. I have witnessed phenomenal talent on every instrument, the kind of ability that causes the listener to question his own ears. Yet, the greatest soul-winning, life-changing sounds I have ever witnessed where through musicians and worshipers who trained their talent to follow the anointing, instead of leading it. They removed themselves.

Isn’t that the point? For us to point to Christ? For Him to be lifted up so that all men may see Him and He alone? It is the greatest of challenges to accomplish this. On one hand, we must practice, and be responsible with what the Lord has given us. We can never take for granted our gifting to the point of operating in a sloppy, unrehearsed manor, but ultimately we must cultivate our hearts more than our fingers, and the ears of our spirit more than our creative ears.

In this way, we will hear the quiet voice of the Lord softly requesting to have a note on our keyboard, and a verse in our song. When we allow Him to sing, no more singing is needed. It’s really that simple.