listen to non-christian music

I don't think it's a sin, but I think it can be damaging.

A good explanation I heard during a sermon was how our minds are like a water pipe and if the water pipe becomes contaminated or rusty, it'll affect the water. The same principle is applied to our minds and everything we do, say, see or experience is processed by our mind. So it makes sense to not contaminate the mind.

So no, I don't think it's sinful, but I do think limiting exposure to certain things is wise. So far as music is concerned, there's a lot of non-Christian music that's fine. Heck, there's a lot of 'Christian' music that's as damaging, if not more so, than some non-Christian music. It's all about discernment and viewing things through a Biblical lens.

gustavchristianartist said:

i love music
i listen to non-christian music all the time, but i don't absorb their sinful message
but i love everyone, i love how songwriters express themselves through the music

now, this day i've been thinking much about "tiny" sins, and my conclusion is that to listen to non-christian music is not a sin

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I agree that it is not a sin. It is helpful if you can identify all of the erroneous philosophy contained in a song.

It all depends on the words in a song. What are the words saying? What do they make you think of?

"i don't absorb their sinful message" Hahaha, yeah right...

WHAT ABOUT, "DO NOT DO AS THE WORLD DOES"?
WHAT ABOUT, "DO NOT BE YOKED TOGETHER WITH UNBELEIVERS"?
A man reaps what he sows. If those people who create that music are not Christians then who is their God? Simple answer, Satan. So please tell me how music that is influenced by the devil is ok to ingest? Music is a very powerful spiritual tool. It is written, "DO NOT be deceived" A little yeast works through the whole dough. Satan doesn't come through the front door when he attacks Christians he weasels through the cracks in your foundation. Maybe its time to start plugging up some holes...

High Fidelity said:

I don't think it's a sin, but I think it can be damaging.

A good explanation I heard during a sermon was how our minds are like a water pipe and if the water pipe becomes contaminated or rusty, it'll affect the water. The same principle is applied to our minds and everything we do, say, see or experience is processed by our mind. So it makes sense to not contaminate the mind.

So no, I don't think it's sinful, but I do think limiting exposure to certain things is wise. So far as music is concerned, there's a lot of non-Christian music that's fine. Heck, there's a lot of 'Christian' music that's as damaging, if not more so, than some non-Christian music. It's all about discernment and viewing things through a Biblical lens.

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Can’t think.....must.....do......what...... Lynyrd Skynyrd .....tells........ me .......to .........do.........lol
I appreciate talent and ignore lyrics that can’t be deciphered anyhow....if we go down this road ,toss out the tv.....it’s far worse than music ever dreamed of being.music never affected my behavior, I always realized most rock and rollers were weird- os

Ancient of Days said:

"i don't absorb their sinful message" Hahaha, yeah right...

WHAT ABOUT, "DO NOT DO AS THE WORLD DOES"?
WHAT ABOUT, "DO NOT BE YOKED TOGETHER WITH UNBELEIVERS"?
A man reaps what he sows. If those people who create that music are not Christians then who is their God? Simple answer, Satan. So please tell me how music that is influenced by the devil is ok to ingest? Music is a very powerful spiritual tool. It is written, "DO NOT be deceived" A little yeast works through the whole dough. Satan doesn't come through the front door when he attacks Christians he weasels through the cracks in your foundation. Maybe its time to start plugging up some holes...

Click to expand...

gustavchristianartist said:

i love music
i listen to non-christian music all the time, but i don't absorb their sinful message
but i love everyone, i love how songwriters express themselves through the music

now, this day i've been thinking much about "tiny" sins, and my conclusion is that to listen to non-christian music is not a sin

Click to expand...

Like Dr. Suess~ big sin, little sin, sin is a sin. This is very touchy subject for me. Just like nicotine, alcohol, drugs and inappropriate content I was addicted to music. I listened to popular rock thru 70’s but it wasnt enough. Then I heard punk. Its what Id been waiting for. But like all rock who could live it for real? And it wasnt till the day I was saved that I had a choice. So for almost ten yrs I didnt listen to music.Then in 96 I was given a stereo for Christmas. And I learned something. Listening to blues based rock, jazz, punk even Christian music was addictive. It released endorphines in me that got me stoned. My kids and wife would complain my personality changed when listening. And I would do it for up to eight hrs. There was one night in particular that proved it to me w/out a doubt. My son let me borrow a cd of a famous blues guitarists festival. I put it on on way home. I sat in lot accross from our apt till 3am listening to several of the songs over and over at top volume untill I was worn out. Our “tenant” came out to see what was going on ( I had car windows closed). The next day I woke up feeling hung over w/out ever doing any chemicals. Im convinced it has the same effect. Same as runners high. When I was working up to my first marathon there were times I would hallucinate as a result of that. This summer I saw a guitarist in a small club. The effect on my body was so intense. So loud you had to lean into speaker cabs to keep from getting pushed over and your whole body resonates. It was the first time Id ever seen a show w/out drugs or alcohol and it was so emotionaly intense I had tears running down my cheeks. Not lyrics, sound. The same happens w/ classical, the epitomy Beethovens ninth. But w/ classical it affects different emotions. I still cry. But at the show this summer a strange thing occurred. The “spirit” of the music did not line up w/ the spirit in me. Like a puzzle peice just slightly different than the hole it looks identical to. It just didnt fit into my chest. Then the phrase pride of life came to mind. And I felt that all popular music is about is pride of life. I do remember hateing Nirvana because here comes the perfect band that I cant listen to and they did what few “punk” bands did that they werent supposed to do which was find mass appeal.
I do wonder though because Psalm 150 (among others) says to make a loud noise for the Lord, that if you were to write music of that style useing the Psalms for lyrics. Straight on raw power extolling His virtues not pride of life virtues. Does that make sense?
I had and have the same problem with painting. Artwork. Modern art is NOTHING but pride of life. But I was addicted to painting also. Ill leave this alone. Thats another whole thread in itself. Art. Emotion. Addiction. Should I start painting or listening to music after being set free.

Maybe someone can help me out with the scripture that says certain things are allowed but not always a good idea?

As much as I loved secular music, something happened there where I just stopped listen to music altogether for the most part. If I listen to anything regularly, and I do not at present, it would be smooth jazz, no lyrics.

It maybe can be done, listen to the music and the lyrics not affect us...I think. And its so tempting to do that because some of this music/songs are magnificent works of art. But it just stopped feeling right to me, and believe me I tried.

Not that AC DC's Highway to Hell is is all that much of a work of art, but the music, the guitar parts in the beginning, just grabs me, and that's kind of scary.

So be careful, we all know Satan was one of the best in that area.

"Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils."

Kenny'sID said:

Maybe someone can help me out with the scripture that says certain things are allowed but not always a good idea?

As much as I loved secular music, something happened there where I just stopped listen to music altogether for the most part. If I listen to anything regularly, and I do not at present, it would be smooth jazz, no lyrics.

It maybe can be done, listen to the music and the lyrics not affect us...I think. And its so tempting to do that because some of this music/songs are magnificent works of art. But it just stopped feeling right to me, and believe me I tried.

Not that AC DC's Highway to Hell is is all that much of a work of art, but the music, the guitar parts in the beginning, just grabs me, and that's kind of scary.

So be careful, we all know Satan was one of the best in that area.

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Exactly. I loved the evolution of rock from Sex Pistols to Husker Du to Nirvana. But what do they stand for. The reason they existed was to express anger and pain it seems. Once in a great while Ill still listen to them for fun. This summer I found a Ramones show online. It brought back a lot of fun. I even found a list of every show they ever played. I then knew where I was on five different dates and places over twenty years. Trivial pursuit. Sarcastic lyrics. But the music is powerful in how it affects the brain. Only Husker Du was not “punk” in the sense they just used that form to express thier ideas free from from the “ideology” of the term. If that explains it. But even they fell to pride and drugs. IDK if its escapable. I dont listen to contemporary Christian music because it seems to be a cheap imitation of secular music in style and lacks “artistic” innovation. So its classical, jazz or once in a great while secular w/great caution. Kanye is genius, but sadly misguided and lost. I pray someone of his caliber would come along artisticly but expressing Christian ideals. Maybe its not possible. Maybe they are not compatible. Do you know what Im getting at?

gustavchristianartist said:

i love music
i listen to non-christian music all the time, but i don't absorb their sinful message
but i love everyone, i love how songwriters express themselves through the music

now, this day i've been thinking much about "tiny" sins, and my conclusion is that to listen to non-christian music is not a sin

Click to expand...

My friend I’ve been struggling with the question of music in my life for quite some time. For the record I’m 57 grew up on Rock, heavy and light, I would listen to music dawn till dusk at every opportunity. I still think sometimes that a few heavy guitar rifts cranked up loud are awesome. After some time I realized it was one of the ruling passions of my life. I was even judging people according to their musical preferences. Terrible right? I’ve been shown that we are sponges meant to absorb God alone in a perfect world. We can and do have passions of every sense. Sight Hearing taste smell and touch. Think about it, pray about it and you will see what I mean. All of these passions detract from making that holy place inside of us for God alone to dwell. I’m no expert and I have a long long way to go but I know this is true. If you love everyone now that’s great but I’ll bet your capacity to love could be hugely multiplied if you can eventually learn to listen to the silence.

gustavchristianartist said:

i love music
i listen to non-christian music all the time, but i don't absorb their sinful message
but i love everyone, i love how songwriters express themselves through the music

now, this day i've been thinking much about "tiny" sins, and my conclusion is that to listen to non-christian music is not a sin

Click to expand...

If you are a muslim or mormon, rules are pretty "cast in stone". Christianity is a "spirit of the law" belief. I don't like songs like "Strokin'" due to the lyrical content. But I love "Before He Cheats".

Most Christian music is not all that good, though that has changed a lot in the last decade. The first Christian group I think pushed it into something listenable is a band called Second Chapter of Acts. It's just gotten better since then.

And some of the absolute best Christian songs are not performed by "Christian" artists. This one is my favorite. You be the judge:

This is interesting:

Ancient of Days said:

"i don't absorb their sinful message" Hahaha, yeah right...

WHAT ABOUT, "DO NOT DO AS THE WORLD DOES"?
WHAT ABOUT, "DO NOT BE YOKED TOGETHER WITH UNBELEIVERS"?
A man reaps what he sows. If those people who create that music are not Christians then who is their God? Simple answer, Satan. So please tell me how music that is influenced by the devil is ok to ingest? Music is a very powerful spiritual tool. It is written, "DO NOT be deceived" A little yeast works through the whole dough. Satan doesn't come through the front door when he attacks Christians he weasels through the cracks in your foundation. Maybe its time to start plugging up some holes...

Click to expand...

Most Jazz is safe. No lyrics.

Then there is an awesome rendition of "I just Wanna Make Love to You" by Cold Blood. I'm married. I think of my wife when I hear that song. Is that a sin?

Ancient of Days said:

"Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils."

Click to expand...

What does "ye" mean?

WadeTheophan said:

My friend I’ve been struggling with the question of music in my life for quite some time. For the record I’m 57 grew up on Rock, heavy and light, I would listen to music dawn till dusk at every opportunity. I still think sometimes that a few heavy guitar rifts cranked up loud are awesome. After some time I realized it was one of the ruling passions of my life. I was even judging people according to their musical preferences. Terrible right? I’ve been shown that we are sponges meant to absorb God alone in a perfect world. We can and do have passions of every sense. Sight Hearing taste smell and touch. Think about it, pray about it and you will see what I mean. All of these passions detract from making that holy place inside of us for God alone to dwell. I’m no expert and I have a long long way to go but I know this is true. If you love everyone now that’s great but I’ll bet your capacity to love could be hugely multiplied if you can eventually learn to listen to the silence.

Click to expand...

Yes! I judged people by the music they listened to! It was a religion I guess of sorts. I based my identity against it. My ideals. And choices. But I had no other choice. Does that make sense?

WadeTheophan said:

My friend I’ve been struggling with the question of music in my life for quite some time. For the record I’m 57 grew up on Rock, heavy and light, I would listen to music dawn till dusk at every opportunity. I still think sometimes that a few heavy guitar rifts cranked up loud are awesome. After some time I realized it was one of the ruling passions of my life. I was even judging people according to their musical preferences. Terrible right? I’ve been shown that we are sponges meant to absorb God alone in a perfect world. We can and do have passions of every sense. Sight Hearing taste smell and touch. Think about it, pray about it and you will see what I mean. All of these passions detract from making that holy place inside of us for God alone to dwell. I’m no expert and I have a long long way to go but I know this is true. If you love everyone now that’s great but I’ll bet your capacity to love could be hugely multiplied if you can eventually learn to listen to the silence.

Click to expand...

Pink Floyd's Comfortably numb brings tears to my eyes when I watch the Pulse concert, as well as the Brit Floyd version.

I picked up the bass at age 44 in 1998. I played mostly hillsongs stuff in my church. Then I joined a "classic rock" bar band two years later. The comedy there is that I was the only member that was not a devout Mormon. We were careful to choose songs that did not have anti-christian lyrics. Heck, we even did Queen. The most "iffy" song we did was "Saturday Night's All Right for Fighting" by Elton John. But it is a song about real people's lives and is a condemnation of that stuff.

Most pop and rock songs have very few lyrics. They just repeat the same lyrics with different musical feel each time.

BTW, I finally quit bar bands just last spring. I didn't to it all that much but I had just had it. The reason was that, though when I was in Seattle I could play "upscale" bars where people were there partly to listen to the music, not to mention outdoor events and farmers markets, when I moved to rural KY six years ago all there was was mediocre bands playing seedy honky-tonks where the goal of pretty much everyone there was to get as drunk as possible and hook up. I hung on only because I thought I could be a ministry to some of those people through word and example. I think that did happen in a few cases. Also I was trying to get into doing car shows and "[fill in the blank] days" events. But those were few and far between. I did spend a couple of years in a 50's-60's rock/pop band that was a homeschooling project for the lead guitar player's daughter and son. It became a great local hit.

Now I play in my church and have hopes to maybe create a band for the sole purpose of car shows and outdoor events. It may never happen, but there is a lot of talent around here.

Ovlov90 said:

I dont listen to contemporary Christian music because it seems to be a cheap imitation of secular music in style and lacks “artistic” innovation.

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Me neither, I tried but is just didin't catch on for some reason.

I did catch myself listening to Roger Hodgson's (Supertramp) recent concerts on YT. Nothing terrible in the lyrics that I noticed anyway...but one heck of a song writer I have a new appreciation for, and is still very much alive/in practice.

Some secular music has a more Christian message than some of the stuff I hear on K-Love.