The following is a quote from J.D. Tant (1861-1941) in which he described an experience he had with some brethren who differed with him on the issue of instrumental music in worship. Tant opposed instrumental music. The brethren he mentioned here accepted it. Yet for Tant’s sake, they did not use it while he was with them.
“One special kindness of the Niotaze brethren was that when they learned I opposed the organ, they set it aside, and song service was nobly conducted by Brother Black; yet I feel sad to think they thought more of me than of my Lord; for it is through Him only that I condemn the organ, and yet they never set it aside for him…” (Published in Gospel Advocate, February 3, 1898; Quoted from J. D. Tant – Texas Preacher, p. 188, emphasis mine)
It is certainly appropriate and commendable for Christians to forgo a particular liberty in order to preserve unity and not cause a brother to stumble (1 Corinthians 8:9, 13). The Niotaze brethren probably thought they were acting in accordance with Paul’s instructions to the Corinthians when they set aside the organ for the sake of Tant. Yet there is a significant difference between Paul and the Niotaze brethren. As he explained in that context, Paul’s eating of meat sacrificed to idols was not wrong (1 Corinthians 8:4-6, 8). The Niotaze brethren’s use of instrumental music in worship was wrong in that it went beyond the pattern for music in worship – singing (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16) – and violated the principle of silence – when something is specified, everything else is excluded (Hebrews 7:14).
Some brethren today who use instrumental music, engage in social drinking, dress immodestly, etc., will sometimes try to “take the high ground” and abstain from these practices while someone who opposes them is around. But if no one is around to voice opposition, they go right back to these practices. Forgoing a matter of personal liberty for the sake of a brother is good. Abstaining from a particular sin temporarily for the sake of a brother, only to go right back to it later, is not good. We are to be “dead to sin” (Romans 6:11), not “continue in sin” (Romans 6:1).
Pleasing the Lord – doing what He has commanded and avoiding what He has not authorized – must be of primary importance. Not offending our brethren should be of secondary importance. We must never reverse the order or think we can ignore the first priority because we follow the second priority. We must think more of the Lord than anyone else.
