Photo by Patrick Hendry
Maverick City Music is much different than other artists whose music I examined. Rather than a ten or fewer piece band, they are more a community who come together in worship. Their videos show this concept in that there’s no stage raising the singers/musicians above everyone else. They all stand together and praise the King of kings and Lord of lords.
It’s a great image of how the Body of Christ becomes one.
They came together in 2018, releasing two EP’s and one album:
- Maverick City Vol. 1 EP (2019)
- Maverick City Vol. 2 EP (2019)
- Maverick City Vol. 3, Part 1 (2020)
Lyrics can be found at https://genius.com/Maverick-city-music-refiner-lyrics.
Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site! Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.
1. What message does the song communicate?
The main theme of this song is about God as our refiner’s fire. In blacksmithing, fire is often used to test and remove the impurities within metals. In the same way, God’s fire tries us and detaches error that causes us to become less than holy. He also changes our desires to align with His. We become attractive to those who wish to know God, yet, set apart from the world.
Maverick City Music expresses their desire to follow God no matter the cost. Their bodies are living sacrifices to God, ready to do His Will. They also wish to experience God’s Presence.
Side Note: To those who are sensitive to massive repetition, Bridge 1 contains the same eight-line phrase four times, repeated again after Pre-Chorus and Chorus. Bridge 2 has a similar effect, with four repeats of the same four lines. Multiple Pre-Chorus and Chorus refrains abound.
Score: 10/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
All of it is Biblical when understood in the proper context.
[Intro]
Line 1: There’s nothing like calling to Casper the friendly ghost to start off a song! I jest.
Line2: Repeats line 1.
Lines 3 and 4: God is the refiner’s fire, removing the impurities within us to become more holy and testing the integrity of our heart, just like a smith might do with gold or silver (Job 23:10, Psalm 51:7-17, Psalm 66:10, Proverbs 17:3, Isaiah 48:10, Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:3, and 1 Peter 1:7).
Line 5: Repeats line 1.
[Verse 1]
Lines 1-5: These speak of surrender to God (Isaiah 64:8, Matthew 10:38, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34-38, Mark 10:28, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:1-11, Romans 6:13, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 2:5-8, Hebrews 11:6, James 4:7-10, and 1 Peter 5:6), where we as Christians become living vessels for God to use (Romans 6:19, Romans 12:1, and 1 Peter 2:5).
[Pre-Chorus]
Lines 1 and 2: See Intro, lines 3 and 4.
Line 3: That is, self is consumed in favor of Godly living (Matthew 16:24 and Luke 9:23).
The consuming fire in Deuteronomy 4:21-28 and Hebrews 12:29 is about God’s jealousy when His people worship idols. We cannot use God as a “consuming fire” in the context of this song.
[Chorus]
Lines 1 and 2: See commentary on Intro, lines 3 and 4.
Lines 3 and 4: See Verse 1, lines 1-5.
Lines 5-8: Repeats lines 1-4.
[Verse 2]
Lines 1 and 2: That is, we want to experience the glory of God. We experience this through sensitivity to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 6:5, Romans 8:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:16-19, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 5:18, and 2 Timothy 1:14).
Lines 3 and 4: That is, fill us with passion for God. See commentary on Pre-Chorus, line 3.
Lines 5: Repeats Verse 1, line 5.
[Bridge 1]
Lines 1 and 2: Quotes from James 4:8, that drawing near to God will purify us.
Lines 3-6: That is, burn with desire for God. See commentary on Verse 1, lines 1-5.
Lines 7 and 8: Repeats lines 3 and 4.
Lines 9-32: Essentially repeats lines 1-8.
[Bridge 2]
Lines 1-4: The results from God’s refinement process should include:
- Beauty and attractiveness in behavior (Galatians 5:22-26 and 2 Timothy 2:24).
- Righteousness and holiness before God (Leviticus 11:44-45, Leviticus 19:2, Leviticus 20:7, Romans 6:1-14, Ephesians 4:1, Colossians 1:10-14, 1 Peter 1:13-16, and 1 Peter 2:16).
Lines 5-19: Repeats lines 1-4.
[Spontaneous]
Lines 1-4: In farming, an animal is branded with an emblem to signify that they belong to that farmer. In the same way, God places a seal on our hearts to mark that we are His (John 6:27, 2 Corinthians 1:22, Ephesians 1:13-14, and Ephesians 4:30). This has nothing to do with the 144,000 who are sealed in Revelation 7:3-8 and Revelation 9:4.
[Outro]
Lines 1-12: Repeats Pre-Chorus, lines 1-3.
Score: 10/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
I don’t suspect that unbelievers will think that Christians wish to be literal human sacrifices, burnt upon the altar to be consumed by God. A figurative explanation will be most likely, even if they require a deeper study of what it means to be refined by God.
Those outside the camp of Christ will likely understand this song to be religious cleansing, if not Christian. Adherents will have a burning desire for their deity of choice, becoming more like their gods.
Some might call it brainwashing. I say that if they knew was in our brains, they’d be glad it was washed.
Score: 6/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies God that He is Maverick City Music’s #1 priority as they undergo His purification process.
Score: 10/10
Closing Comments
Maverick City Music’s Refiner is a good song, albeit repetitious. Its focus on God as our cleanser brings Him glory, moving our hearts to His Will as we become beautiful and holy. Unbelievers will understand this song as religious purification, if not exclusively Christian.
It’s difficult to recommend this for corporate worship without significantly cutting out several refrains, though I understand not everyone agrees with me on that point. If that’s you, consider it.
Final Score: 8.5/10
Artist Info
Track: Refiner (listen to the song)
Artist: Maverick City Music (Feat. Steffany Gretzinger & Chandler Moore)
Album: Maverick City Vol. 2
Genre: Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
Release Year: 2019
Duration: 12:12
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
Updates:
09/26/2022 – Updated commentary on Pre-Chorus, line 3 such that that which is consumed is not our zeal for God, but self in the refinement process.
03/25/2021 – Updated per repetition announcement. While I increased section 1’s score and changed my commentary to a side note, my original score was incorrectly calculated. Curiously, correcting section 1 also corrected the overall rating.
Comments
Mark
Only issue to suggest is a removal of the “I want to be consumed” line.
The reference in Mal 3:3-6 ends by saying “therefore ye sons of Jacob are NOT CONSUMED” the context of that passage is specifically speaking about the purification of the refiners fire.
All throughout the Bible consume, being consumed, and consumption are reserved as punishment for the wicked not the process of the righteous.
It sounds beautiful in song but this line is contrary to scripture.
The righteous are refined and purified while the wicked are consumed by the same process of fire.
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
Vince Wright
Mark,
Thank you for your comment! I had changed my mind a while back on the phrase “all-consuming fire”, which I now conclude is about God’s judgment. Instead, we should be speaking of refinement instead of experiencing God’s consuming fire.
However, in this song, the word “consume” takes on a different context than I had initially written in my review! Another commenter named Steve Barhydt attempted to convince me that when songs say that I’m consumed, that it’s self that gets burned up, not the entirety of me through judgment. In this instance, given that the song references the refinement process, I would agree with his assessment on the word “consume”. It’s about ridding ourselves of self.
I updated my review.
-Vince Wright
Gary D
Hi to all fellow Berean enthusiasts and Bible students, let’s look at things carefully.
Just before looking at some passages, here are side comments:
– Repetition: Often, when someone has to state a point 4 or 5 times, I feel that person is not really convinced or simply doesn’t know what he’s saying; it’s just talk. Individual worship can allow a person to state something over and over between him and God as a declaration of praise or commitment, but corporate worship would risk losing meaning when everyone is led to say the same thing.
– Truth: If my team just lost in the World Series, it is worthless to say and certainly repeat “We’re number ONE!” (Even if you just won it all, you only need to say it a few times, but emphatically!) In order to be convincing, we must be truthful. Let’s look at the words.
Mostly in agreement with the Berean Test reviewer in saying the goal of the song is obviously a song of commitment to purification and surrender, being “tried by fire.” However, instead of stating “All of it is Biblical” I would say that all has its roots in biblical teaching. The lyrics are not all biblical.
A Christian should desire a purification from impurities, and a Christian should be consumed, but ONLY in a limited sense, when the Bible speaks positively of it: yes in zeal for the house of God (Ps 69:9 or John 2:17), and yes for my soul in longing for God’s laws (Ps. 119:20).
However, there is never a time when God’s fire consumes to make that thing/person better; it is always complete destruction and annihilation.
The Christian should resist saying “You’re a fire. I wanna be consumed.” It is not what God desires for you. Also very unclear biblically is “Lord, your fire is consuming. Fill this place.”
It appears that the writer mixes teachings which introduces poor theology.
The Berean Test reviewer writes “we cannot use God as a consuming fire in the context of this song.”
Therefore, all of it is not biblical (Good comment, @Linda Giles). No Christian should desire God as a consuming fire for himself or herself. God is a fire in the destructive sense (so many references can be given), but he can use fire in the positive sense in refining. So say it!! “God, please refine me! Please use whatever it takes to burn away impurities!”
To say “Burn me” doesn’t make any sense either. Consuming leaves nothing. Refining removes impurities and leaves the element in a purer state.
My rating 0/10 for content. One drop of poison in my water makes it all bad. Chandler, don’t listen to others who tell you to keep a song. Listen only to God, and he’ll show you what to change.
In brotherly love (as iron sharpens iron)…
Francine
Gary D, you are on point! Everything you said is exactly why I looked for this song here on this website. God bless you!
Truthwins
Gary you are 🎯🎯🎯
Nelson
Gary, this is encouraging to hear that you see the issues with this song. We are to worship in spirit and truth. I am thankful for your analysis. God bless you.
christine
Grateful for all your commentaries and scriptures. Blesses me greatly!
Mbaku
Easily a 10 brother. The reason they repeated certain lines so many time is because at the time of the recording the room was filled with the spirit while singing those lyrics and so the lead singer signalled to repeat. Worship does not have to be planned it can also be spontaneous so stop being so critical of the repeats please.
Chastity Dillard
I totally agree with Mbaku…when you are allowed to worship spontaneously repetition is so powerful. This is such a beautiful song that evokes so much emotion in the moment. I wish churches could be more spontaneous and less structured for this reason.
Uncle Steak
“Spontaneous, repetitive worship is so anointed. So more spirit filled”
Especially when it’s a purely a 21st Century phenomenon.
Y’all might want to study church history, church music history.
Worship music existed before Hillsong, Bethel, Elevation or Maverick. Before CCM was taken over by the modern “worship” movement.
Am I saying spontaneous, repetitive music is wrong? No.
Is a steady diet of it in every song, every worship service wrong? Not necessarily. Yet there is so much more that people can experience in worship that is left out.
And how many modern worship “leaders” teach the people to not only worship on Sunday morning in a corporate body gathering but teach the primary importance of PERSONAL worship daily Monday through Saturday? And provide the tools such as a worship songbook (we called them hymnal) with lyrics? The church who does this is extremely rare.
The focus is (still) on Saturday/Sunday service being a weekly “experience”.
Linda Giles
“It’s difficult to recommend this for corporate worship without significantly cutting out several refrains”
Which is why I have a big problem with this song. Most of it, of course, is on point with scripture. But I would not want to be consumed by God’s fire. God is a consuming fire for the wicked according to scriptures I read. I don’t know if this is the song the assembly was singing one day, but when I heard these lyrics I was surprised, and had to sit it out. I’m sure the song writers meant well in including this.
Christy Ruth Barca
Comsumed, in the context of the song means to be completely infiltrated, by the Trinity. When a fire licks something clean, or rather consumes it, there is no chance of any residue left but ashes. All filth is utterly cleansed. The writer’s of the song used the word, consumed in this sense that the carnal worldly spirit we all are born with needs wiped clean of, to be throughly purified, overcome by his holy spirit. Or unlike a virus that lies dormant waiting for a trigger for it to be reactivated, I understand “consumption” to illustrate rendering void of any residue, so impossible to be reactivated. I feel like the judgement towards the repetition is in of itself a self righteousness, (in reference to a trace of “the old man” we all have inside of us, the fight over our flesh to reside fully in righteous because we are living in a tempest world) as no mere mortal is perfect, whether he classifies him or herself as “saved” according to protestant upbringing! Remember the last will be first and the first will be last. Just my two cents worth. Take it, don’t take it.