Music ...guard Your Heart...

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murjahel

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There is great liberty for Christians.

I Corinthians 6:12
"All things (Paul was speaking of foods here) are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient..."

The word "expedient" is from the Greek - "sumphero". This means "profitable." Paul was stating that if he wanted to eat meats, or vegetables, whatever - he could. He could eat meat that was offered to idols if he chose and still not be sinning. Even in our day, much of Christianity is trying to tell others what to eat. In these days, the debate concerns cholesterol, fats, salt, sugar, meats, etc. God has not made any of those things to be sinful. Yet, as Paul said, not all of these are profitable.


The principle that Paul taught with -"not all things are expedient" - is this... we do need to self-limit our liberties. Paul continues in the next verse to add:

I Corinthians 6:13
"I will not be brought under the power of any."

We must not be brought under control of things. We are to use things and love people... not vice versa. Too many become controlled by habits and things they love. The devil tries to use Christian liberty to snare Christians to slavery to things which in themselves are not sinful. Some become slaves to possessions, careers, clubs, bowling, sports, t.v., soap operas, romance novels, etc. These things are not sinful in themselves, but if they begin to come between the Christian and their Lord, they become sinful to that person.


Some base their Christian conduct on a - "if it isn't wrong, then it is right" theory. But some things are "lawful", but not "expedient." Christian liberty involves responsibility. We need to make self-imposed (not church-imposed, or denomination-imposed) limits to our conduct. We do this by determining what is not "expedient" for us. Some helpful questions that aid these decisions are these:

Is it a hindrance to our Christian life, even though neutral in itself? Will it lead us closer to sin? Is it a "weight" that pulls us down, and makes it harder to keep our relationship with Jesus? (Heb. 12:1-2)

Does it enslave or is it habit forming? Will it bring you under its control? (I Cor. 6:12)

Is it harmful to the body which is the temple of God? (I Cor. 10:19-20)

Does it glorify our Lord? Will it weaken your testimony? (I Cor. 10:31)

Will it detract from your love of Christ? (I Jn. 2:15-17)

Is there a great question about it in your mind? Until this question is answered, it is best to avoid the doubtful thing. (Romans 14:5, 22)

Is it a stumbling block to others? If it will cause another to backslide or not get saved, perhaps, for the time while near this person, the thing should be avoided. (Romans 5:1-2, I Cor. 10:22-23)

Can you enjoy the presence of the Lord as you do it? How does it affect you? (II Cor. 5:15) We are not to use our liberty for an occasion to do wrong, but for the ability to love others and serve them. We are to walk in the Spirit. (Gal. 5:13-18) "...only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh..."

With how much liberty and freedom can God trust you? When a dog is allowed outside, and he immediately runs off, the owner will keep that dog on a leash. When another dog is set free, but he quickly wants back inside, and never wanders from the owner's yard, that dog is allowed more freedom. There is no need for a leash. Does God have to keep a "leash" on you?

God hates sin. We must also hate sin. We cannot hate the sinner, but God cannot fellowship with a sinner. Therefore, we must beware of sin. Too many Christians are calloused or ignorant of the damage of sin in their lives. Since we have great liberty in Christianity, we should not allow ourselves to be ignorant of the importance of wisely determining our standards and conduct.
 
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murjahel

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God loves music. He created many forms and styles. In many cultures the type, style, and manner of the music varies. Too often in the congregations of today, the music of the church has been stereotyped, and many believe that God has chosen the slow hymns as the only acceptable form of music that is holy. This is presumptuous and wrong. We may not personally like all forms and styles, but it is judgmental and wrong for us to condemn another style of music. If the music honors God, and the lyrics are in praise to Him, we are wrong to condemn it because of the style or types of instruments used.


Yet, I see a lot of Christians who judge Christian rock and Christian metal. Many say that it is "too heavy." Well, the truth is, some classical music is some of the heaviest music ever written. But if a group of people were to take a Wagner or Bach composition, and play the exact same notes on lead and bass guitars, and blow the song out of a couple 600 watt amplifiers, all for the glory of God, they would be looked down upon by many Christians for doing such a "satanic" thing. But all they did was play the (once acceptable) song with different instruments and turn the volume up a little.


Some might not want to admit it, but some of these same Christian bands who have wild hair and earrings are working harder to win souls for the Lord than a lot of clean-cut, three-piece-suit-wearing song service leaders are.


There are some types of music that I find hard to appreciate. Yet, God tells us that He even appreciates a cymbal solo, and especially if it is loud... If God can enjoy a cymbal solo, I have no right to condemn any form of music when it is written to honor My Lord. Those who try to say that all music with a beat is evil, had better be prepared for a shock when God invites them to the throne room for a cymbal concert! Cymbal music certainly has a beat!


Psalms 150:5
"Praise Him upon the loud cymbals: praise Him upon the high sounding cymbals."

Music and musical instruments are vitally important to our worship and service to the Lord.

The prophets used music when about to prophesy (I Samuel 10:5, I Chron. 25:1-7).

David used a musical instrument in exorcizing a demon from Saul (I Sam. 16:16-23).

It is the law of God to use musical instruments and to worship in song (Psalms 81:1-4, II Chron. 29:25, Psalms 33:1-5, Ephesians 5:19, Col. 3:16).

God's glory came down when the musical instruments were used with singing (II Chron. 5:11-14).

It was when Israel misused them to commit sin that a rebuke of the musical instruments was made (Psalms 132:2, Amos 6:5).

24 elders, 4 angelic beings, the 144,000 Jews, and the tribulation saints play harps in heaven (Rev. 5:8, 14:1-5, 15:2).

Worship with our voices and the playing of musical instruments are to be used in our congregational worship. We should frequently use them in our homes also. Human beings were created to worship and honor God, and music is one of the chief ways we are to fulfil that mission.
 
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jiminpa

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God loves music. He created many forms and styles. In many cultures the type, style, and manner of the music varies. Too often in the congregations of today, the music of the church has been stereotyped, and many believe that God has chosen the slow hymns as the only acceptable form of music that is holy. This is presumptuous and wrong. We may not personally like all forms and styles, but it is judgmental and wrong for us to condemn another style of music. If the music honors God, and the lyrics are in praise to Him, we are wrong to condemn it because of the style or types of instruments used.
I've been saying for a while, and I may be repeating what I've already said in this thread, that I am disappointed that there aren't more churches that I can't worship in because the music is too "hard" to my now older ears. I remember when "contemporary worship" was new and controversial, now it's what everyone expects, but where is the new and controversial worship music for the current young adults? "Jesus Freak" was almost 20 years ago now. They should be worshipping to rap. I'll hate most of it, but I don't have to go to those churches, I have to realize that they are glorifying God the way He has given them and love and fellowship with them in other venues.

Maybe we aren't reaching these generations enough. There should be thousands of now saved rappers and millions of rap music fans bringing that to God. We aren't seeing it. It concerns me.
 
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Frogster

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People can really enjoy things, but it is not habit.

Actually, the more people fear stuff, then isolate everything out of fear, they will be under law, and then every desire to hear music will be aroused!

Someone can live in an isolated cave, just making quilts, eating bread and water, and still have "habits".:D


Col 2:23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
 
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Alithis

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There is something about music that seems to invade the Spirit unlike most others things, maybe pharmaceuticals come close …. I am particular as to what I listen too. I used to love country music but that is over. My husband doesn't care too much for my contemporary Christian music so I listen to some of his secular. I don't and won't allow any of the old satanic sounding songs in my home and have left concerts that became 'witchy'.
I do however watch some secular TV that is not exactly wholesome. Like 2 1/2 men. I don't watch anything horror related or XX but thats not difficult, never liked them anyway. If a comedy routine gets too dirty or is offensive to Christianity I turn it off… I do think it matters what we put into our bodies… food, drugs (anything mind altering) too.
But it's not difficult for me bc Christian music does so much to elevate my mood and bring me into the awareness of Christ and all that He has done, it's not a sacrifice to give up worldly music, why waste my time, when Christian music is so much better all around.
That said, I don't think it makes someone holier but some of that music is so sick… gangster, hip hop is so sexual and violent I wouldn't allow it to be played in my house if I were not home… it is spiritually defiling. I'd have to repent and pray over my house afterward. :prayer:

God bless, andrea

I should add there are plenty of wonderful secular songs and I do like some Elvis once in awhile…. its certainly not a test of spirituality… I also like happy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM
hi ....In the recognition of there being no middle ground in the war of souls.
in the song you posted here.. you will find not God..

im not trying to be the sadsack lol.
im not judging anyone for what they listen too ..(my fav was coldplay..but their new album is a praise of stars not God.i love God more so i do not listen to them any more)

you see the devil does not temp with a stinky rot wrapped in plastic..he uses a sweet candy in pretty colors.

im trying to get folks (those not inclined to instant rebellion) to stop and take a look.
not at what others listen to.but what we listen to ourselves.

i was going to point stuff out but better ...is that i let you point it out to me.
as i know you are a stop and take a look type.you delight in truth.

pop on line get the lyrics and critique them based on 4 things..

1&2 two first commandments
3 Jesus is lord
4 idolatry in the worship of self will self want self emotion.
 
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Alithis

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In my life i don't aim to not do things .
i love God and so learn to listen to him and obey him.
i find in him is the only true lasting joy.
out of him are fleeting moments a carnal pleasure but they are traps to lure us from our redeemer.

to understand more of what i mean by listen and obey
refer back to part of my testimony of Gods deliverance .here.....
bythat same path of love- listen- obey ,he led me out
smoking
drugs
anger
violence
more recently ..what i watch on tv.
music went ages ago lol .i really dont like even some christian music as it is too egocentric ,not centered on God.
 
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JimB

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MUSIC ...GUARD YOUR HEART.
trash thrash
rock
rave
rap
pop
country

.

People generally think ...
-some music is bad
-some is a bit off
-some is sort of ok
-some is fine

the truth?
that which does not honor God
is not of God.

that which is not of God is of the world.

that which is of the world is of the spirit of THIS world.

this includes your favorite worldly song...
I am not sure how to interpret this. For more than a decade I was the Christian music guru here in East Texas (a Southern Baptist/Southern Gospel stronghold), owning a Christian music/book/gift store and promoting/co-promoting more than 50 CCM concerts (i.e., music I preferred) in 10 years, mostly youth-oriented Christian rock concerts. I was demonized in some quarters and even had preachers come into the store to, I suppose, convert me to their style of music. Often people would come into my business where I paid the bills and rent and demand I play “Christian” music in the store (usually that meant praise music or Southern Gospel)—I guess Petra, Allies, Daniel Amos, The Newsboys, Steve Taylor, Harvest, Reality Check, Third Day, et.al. just didn’t measure up spiritually. During that decade, the attitude of East Texans changed, but it was rough at the beginning. CCM was treated as a tool of the devil.

Frankly, I have always thought of music as a-moral, a-spiritual. I may like my music with a strong bass-line but, personally, I think God likes it too and contend that King David played a mean bass guitar. It’s the lyrics that makes music Christian or unChristian. I was told that early Pentecostal music was just music taken out of barrooms and set to Christian lyrics. And I never could tell much difference between Jimmy Swaggart’s “gospel” music and Jerry Lee Lewis’ rock and roll, or Mickey Gilley’s barroom country music, although Jimmy said there was—his music was Christian, of course, and Jerry Lee’s and Mickey’s were satanic. It all just sounded alike. :)
 
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ByTheSpirit

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geez Only84' are you having an identity crisis? This doesn't sound like the oSAS person I was talking with the other day???

I made this post in response to you on another thread just the other day

Once Saved Always Saved - unscriptural... as this says once you pray the sinner's prayer no matter what you are saved...

Conditional Security - Also unscriptural, this places the condition of salvation on the believer to perform certain good/religious works to maintain their salvation.

The believers security - the position I hold in which as long as my trust and my faith lay in Christ, I am secure in my salvation. Neither good works nor sin affect my relationship with God as it was Jesus' blood that redeemed me, not me or anything I've done or will do. Jesus is the one who said whoever believes will NEVER die but live forever.

If you read my posts instead of jumping to conclusions you might have known his already :thumbsup:
 
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NorrinRadd

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Everyone is different.

When I watch a crime drama -- Criminal Minds comes to, um, mind -- I often laugh at the violence and gore. Like the time the vic was bound to a chair and the unsub slowly walked over with a melon-baller. I said to myself, "Yep, her eyes are comin' out. HAHAHAHA!" Or last week, when a vic was looking out a window, someone came up behind her, put a gun at the back of her head, then BANG! and blood sprayed all over the window. HAHAHAHAHA! Fake violence amuses me. But I can barely tolerate watching boxing matches or MMA, because I know there is *actual* pain involved.

In regard to music, I can listen to risque songs like "Pour Some Sugar on Me" or "Paradise by the Dashboard Lights" and just laugh off the naughtiness. But I can't abide mellow "nice" songs like "The Pina Colada Song" or "Love the One You're With," because they *pretend* to be romantic, but the subtle subtext is infidelity.
 
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pinkputter

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No, I am pretty sure my dog does not honor God.

... then again, he behaves like a dog, which is exactly how God created him to behave.

So maybe he does honor God, in his own way.

Oh my dog is Christian for sure. We raised him to like people and other dogs. I know some dogs are mean, they don't have the holy spirit. I believe God's spirit is in nature and yes even the animal kingdom.

There was this old woman who was meaaaan mean and a practicing wican. Her dog hated everyone and could not be brought in public bec it would hurt other animals and bark at people. well she converted to Christian and I am telling you that dog changed.

I think it is very real among dogs and other animals.
 
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pinkputter

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And to the OP,

Music of all types is an expression. I think some songs that are as you call "secular" can speak on Love, which is of God, if you are a Christian, better than some worship songs.

For example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ89WDvQMbs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ih1945e4q7I

Yes we need Worship music a lot, but relationships in this world are important and it's not a sin to listen to music about them. It's good to care about relationships we have.
 
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Alithis

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The problems with music is mostly the lyrics. It does not matter to God if we worship with a trumpet, or a guitar. He loves cymbals and harps.

The words of some songs today have filth, sin, licentiousness, ... garbage. Some take the name of the Lord in vain, some worship the devil, some encourage violence and murder...

The book of James tells us 'out of the same mouth proceeds blessings and cursings, this ought not to be so...'

So, if everything is pure, is blasphemy pure coming out of the mouth of a so called 'saint'? Would God justify hatred, because one claims to be saved? No... the 'all things are pure' is speaking of the meat prohibitions of the O.T. which God has now cleansed ... as an illustration of the cleansing of our persons from defilement.

God does not justify us singing hatred toward Jesus, love for the devil, blasphemies of our Lord, sexual immorality, licentious, perverted words. Those songs are evil, if they contain that kind of language, even if played on the church organ.

The music, for me, can vary greatly. I love piano music, I like jazz, I like long hair music, southern gospel, not so much Bach, gospel music, hymns, and pretty much any kind of music other than polka, and I could probably learn to like it...
but whatever instruments are used, whatever style it is, if the lyrics are not going to be sung by the saints and angels in heaven, I am not going to pollute my mouth, nor fill my mind with them here.

James 3:10-12 (KJV)
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
folks are missing the point.mostly.

its all about the message ...there are only 2.

that of truth

that of lies.

no middle neutral ground.
 
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Alithis

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And to the OP,

Music of all types is an expression. I think some songs that are as you call "secular" can speak on Love, which is of God, if you are a Christian, better than some worship songs.

For example:celine dion-because you loved me.

:blessid union of souls-i believe.


Yes we need Worship music a lot, but relationships in this world are important and it's not a sin to listen to music about them. It's good to care about relationships we have.


"Because You Loved Me"..... who? who is she singing about?
the worlds view of the word love is measured by how much pleasure is being presently experienced.

where as Godly love has little to do with how SELF feels.
but rather lays down its self for the good of others.

i believe ,but in whom?/in this world self pleasing concept of love ? look deeper.the song implies a girl is living in rebellion to her father and the father is the bad man,then it calls the father racist.
look deeper.. how does the message of the song align with." Honour the father and thy mother "...

interesting isnt it.
 
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NorrinRadd

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folks are missing the point.mostly.

its all about the message ...there are only 2.

that of truth

that of lies.

no middle neutral ground.

Sez hu?

For you, "it" is "all" about "the message" of the song.

For others, "it" is not "all" about any one thing, but certainly AMONG the things "it" is about are grace and liberty.
 
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Alithis

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Sez hu?

For you, "it" is "all" about "the message" of the song.

For others, "it" is not "all" about any one thing, but certainly AMONG the things "it" is about are grace and liberty.
you will have to argue that with God .not me.you don't answer to me.
 
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