Is it wrong for a Christian to listen to secular music?

[AndrewCS]

Christian bands make music for wealth too. They are musicians thats they how they make their money.

Hi,

YES, you are so very right.

Unfortuantely this SHOULD NOT be the motivation for Christian bands.

If it JESUS / GOD / HOLY SPIRIT focused then it has to be the way that God tell us to be, Christlike.

I also understand what you are saying that pro musicians make money from their job.

God teaches us to live by faith and that He will provide a way.

Blessings

 

[sanctifiedband]

In light of everything being spoken here in my opinion secular music is all of what you make of it. If you make curse words out of it, and start acting like that then of course you cannot seperate church and world. I am not saying I am higher than though but I am saying that I can listen to secular music. In my eyes it doesnt bother me nor my spirituality. I dont listen to it regularly. But I do listen to it.

I just think again its all of what you make of the music.

This is exactly the point I have made in previous posts of mine. Obviously you feel no conviction listening to secular music, so I say go for it. But once again, that is between you and God. If He does, all of a sudden, put the conviction on your heart bout the music you listen to, then it is probably best that you stop listening to that music. But until you feel that conviction, then it is not anyone's place to tell you that what you are doing is "wrong" or "bad". We can all have our own opinions on this topic, but what it boils down to is what connection you have with God and what He is telliing you to do.

 

[sanctifiedband]

Christian bands make music for wealth too. They are musicians thats they how they make their money.

Yes, but we hope and believe that they aren't doing it for the money but rather for God. I do, however, question sometimes whether they are doing it for God or for fame and wealth. But for the most part, I feel that Christian bands are doing it for God.. The fame and wealth just come as a part of that.

Like for me and my friends.. I have a friend that writes and raps secular music.. He has told me that he hopes to someday be famous and rich because of it..

Me and my band (and we are a christian band) have made it quite clear that we do our performances for the glory of God, not for money or fame. Right now we are going on tour around the country but we are charging absolutely nothing because our focus is not to become rich but rather to spread the good news about Jesus.

But I do realize that some christian bands are probably in it for the money and fame only. However, there is a pretty big separation between christian and non christian bands

 

[Shiversblood]

I wouldn't want to waste money by throwing away a CD case full of CD's. Espically since I like them.

 

[sanctifiedband]

That's like when the rich prince went to Jesus and wanted to know how he could have eternal life and Jesus told him go and sell all your possessions and give it to the poor.. The prince liked the things he had and did not want to give up all his riches and money..

If Jesus told you to sell them, if he put a conviction on your heart, would you be willing to get rid of all those CDs despite the amount of money you spent on them? Or would you be like the rich young ruler and just walk away?

I believe that having Jesus is much better than a collection of CDs (even if i spent $300 on them) that are causing convictions in my heart. I may love the music and i may have spent tons of money, but having Jesus is better than having anything else. Because through Him, we have all things.

 

[Shiversblood]

That's like when the rich prince went to Jesus and wanted to know how he could have eternal life and Jesus told him go and sell all your possessions and give it to the poor.. The prince liked the things he had and did not want to give up all his riches and money..

If Jesus told you to sell them, if he put a conviction on your heart, would you be willing to get rid of all those CDs despite the amount of money you spent on them? Or would you be like the rich young ruler and just walk away?

I believe that having Jesus is much better than a collection of CDs (even if i spent $300 on them) that are causing convictions in my heart. I may love the music and i may have spent tons of money, but having Jesus is better than having anything else. Because through Him, we have all things.

Only if God truely wanted me to throw them away would I. But thats not the case.

 

[sanctifiedband]

just remember to keep your heart open to hear if God does change His mind.. He can do that.. And He does it a lot.. You can keep your CDs and enjoy listening to them but remember that God is listening too and He might just decide that He doesn't want to hear it anymore and therefore decides that He doesn't want you to listen to them either.. Just keep your heart open for what He wants rather than what YOU want

God Bless

 

[Meshavrischika]

AMEN

There are some secular (Amy Grant's secular music for example - I realize she's a christian artist too) that I WOULD listen to in a car with Christ.... 50 cent is not one of them *not my style anyway*
Songs about relationship, and heartbreak and happiness, and success, should be fine (barring objectionable content like sex, drugs, etc). Example (as I think of them...) Martina McBride - Happy Girl... what's wrong with this one? (Lyrics: I used to live in a darkened room
Had a face of stone
And a heart of gloom
Lost my hope, I was so far gone
Cryin all my tears
With the curtains drawn
I didn't know until my soul broke free
I've got these angels watching over me, yeah

Oh watch me go
I'm a happy girl
Everybody knows
That the sweetest thing that you'll ever see
In the whole wide world
Is a happy girl

I used to hide in a party crowd
Bottled up inside
Feeling so left out
Standing in a corner wearing concrete shoes
With my frozen smile
And my lighted fuse
Now everytime i start to feel like that
I roll my heart out like a welcome mat

Oh watch me go
I'm a happy girl
Everybody knows
That the sweetest thing that you'll ever see
In the whole wide world
Is a happy girl

Laugh when i feel like it
Cry when i feel like it
That's just how my life is
That's how it goes

Oh watch me go
I'm a happy girl
And i've come to know
That the world won't change
Just 'cause I complain
Let the axis twirl
I'm a happy girl

Oh watch me go
I'm a happy girl
Everybody knows
That the sweetest thing that you'll ever see
In the whole wide world
Is a happy girl

Oh,yeah oh,yeah
I'm a happy girl)

I realize it talks about being at parties, etc... but it's nothing objectionable. Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

 

[ILove2Worship]

just remember to keep your heart open to hear if God does change His mind.. He can do that.. And He does it a lot.. You can keep your CDs and enjoy listening to them but remember that God is listening too and He might just decide that He doesn't want to hear it anymore and therefore decides that He doesn't want you to listen to them either.. Just keep your heart open for what He wants rather than what YOU want

God Bless

Amen!!!

 

[iREP.CHRiST]

Yeah it is. And for a while I thought that listening to "influential music", was alright. As long as it didn't have any profanity, promoting sex outside of marriage, drugs, etc. But then i realized that it wasn't glorifying Jesus. So one day I came across this video, it is a poem titled "A Letter To Satan" youtube.com/watch?v=1Vvx8mdSXno
Take some time to listen to it! She points out things that are VERY true. You'll enjoy it I hope! And listen to the parts about MUSIC.

 

[ephesus32]

i dont believe all secular music is bad

 

[justacook]

I listen to secular and Christian music. My son is 12 yars old and when he is with my wife all he hears is Christian music, thats great. When he is with me he might hear either. He has asked about songs and in the past that he has heard in the car with me. The explenation is just like when we watch tv or movies. ENTERTAINMENT.
I want him to understand that what we watch or hear is not our life, just entertainment. I have always let him know the value of entertainment has no true value as an example how to go through day to day life. Clint Eastwood movies are great, but I dont walk around with a six gun straped to my side. There are a lot of talented musicians out there but I dont go to my job with a set of drum sticks in my pocket, I have a spatula.

 

[shailferns]

I want y'all's imput on this. Being in a Christian band, I obviously have some pretty strong views on this subject and would be more than happy to share them with you if you would like to discuss it. But I posted this topic for y'all to post your thoughts on this.

And we can even throw in music that has been "edited" but is still by a secular artist. Is this "OK"?

Give your thoughts.

Peace,

Caleb
SANCtIFIED

I'm not too sure if you have heard about backward masking....its a technique(mostly used in rock music) which when played normally sounds good.....but when you start playing it backwards thats when you realise that it has satanic inscriptions or chants in it......

You might be wondering who's going to listen to it backwards and does it really matter ?

Yes it does, it has an effect over your sub-conscious mind and there have been cases where devil plays his dirty tricks.....it has been proven by psychologists that our brain is distributed into 3 parts conscious,sub-conscious and unconscious mind....conscious is when we are aware what is happening around us......unconscious is when we are asleep or when we are put to sleep using medicinal drugs,etc and the most dangerous one is sub-conscious......dangerous because this is one part which does not let you realize that it is recording and storing images of something......you wont even be aware that its recording memories of something......
So my verdict would be BEWARE and be on your guard as to which kind of music you listen to......most of the secular music though is harmless, avoid parental advice music,specially the rock music because most of the backward masking is done on rock music.........just a little bit of research should help you in this case......

 

[TanteBelle]

Mathew 4

1
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
2
And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.
3
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6
And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
7
Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
8
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;
9
And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
10
Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
11
Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.



Look at the stages here.

Even Jesus was tempted by the devil.

Jesus puts the flesh under by fasting for 40 days

Satan continues to temp, and where does he choose – the weak point, during a fast he remind Jesus that he can just turn the stones into bread. Jesus knows that that would be the shortcut and satan winning. Jesus resists and what does He do?

He speaks the Word over the situation. This is why the Word is the Living Word, for IT IS WRITTEN, satan knows this and can not stand it. The scriptures are powerful and we can speak them out.

Most secular music is written in “altered “ mind states and such states are usually induced through drugs and / or alcohol. I know, I have played in a few secular bands and worked in a few studios. So in these “altered” mind states who is controlling the source of the music, in other words what spiritual force is being tapped into? With Praise & Worship ( true Holy Spirit Worship music as there are lots of counterfeits) the source is God via the Holy Spirit. Therefore the music will re-create the spirit as music is “spiritual”

Read this article : http://www.christianforums.com/t5631697-more-to-music-than-meets-the-ears-part-1.html

Therefore your spirit is being subjected to the spirit that influenced the composition of the music. This is why SO MANY musicians become serious drug addicts, because they are not writing the music, they are “tapping into” a source that they can only reach through drug induced states and in the process most musicians have wrecked and lost their lives. Do you think that is the fruit of God. Certainly not and we know where that comes from.

Look at the scriptures and see how many times the devil came at Jesus, not just once and when he didn’t succeed with the hunger temptation what does the devil do, tries another angle. Offers Jesus power ( which He has the greatest power) so look how the devil operates here.

Then the next thing he is trying to get Jesus to prove Himself and prove the power of God.

Jesus comes back with – “it is written”.

Look at this part v 11 , the devil leaves and the angels came.

I said that music is a subject close to me heart. This is because I am a musician, a writer, engineer and produce ( not bragging here).

There was a time in my life where music was my first love and I listen to music. I used to listen to a track 20 times/ 50 times over to really listen to the detail. I would focus on the hi-hat and then the interaction with the bass or the voice arrangement or the production or whatever it was and I would lose myself in the music.

When playing I have experienced a telepathy that happens between musicians whilst playing live, it doesn’t happen with all musicians. There is a knowing that takes place what the other musician is going to do. This form of listening and playing and foretelling was almost a trance like state. There is immense power in music and of course Lucifer was created to be music, he was a living instrument and he fell because of – pride. Gee, does that make sense.

Satan uses music and is the prince of darkness and master of deceit. All too many times Christians make light of situations and being “on guard”.

It is all way too REAL to be just coincidence. Satan is using music as a platform to seduce the world today and just too many Christians LET IT HAPPEN.

If you go to a concert, you feel that unity – all these people in the collective worshipping some pop idols ( yes worshipping). When you are exposed to that power it WILL influence your spirit and you WILL be taken with the tide.

Why do you think armies have used music for centuries ? Why do many sports teams chant or whatever you call it before a battle with their opponents. Why do glasses break ( for real) when a particular pitch is sung?

Don’t be fooled, there is a HUGE relation between music and everything around us, that is why God made the birds to sing. The Creator created music as He did all living things. Music was created for worship, Lucifer perverted it.

That is why I asked God to take it away, and He did. I haven’t bought any CDs for years. We have a really good hi-fi system in our lounge, I can not remember the last time I sat and listened to music. I didn’t lose anything I have drawn closer to Christ. I need Christ in my life and know He cares about me to the extent ever hair on my head is numbered ( wow). Therefore it is a relationship. Worshiping pop idols is a waste of life and most of them have zero interest in you except you buy their CDs.

I write and produce music and lately that s all worship and it gives me the greatest feeling of peace and awe.

I did warn you that I am passionate about this subject.

God Bless

Thanks for that; that was really interesting! It is something that has been a struggling topic for myself. I am a singer and musician and love to hear various types of music. My Pa use to have his own band. He still writes songs and he listens to a lot of the old classics because he gets inspiration from the music styles. I do the same thing; occasionally listen to worldly music simply for the sake of the music. I'm not into rap, rock, pop, heavy metal and all that, so I haven't heard songs about drugs and all that sort of thing, but they are worldly bands nonetheless. So I do feel kinda stuck in a rut, coz nearly all christian artists are very plain and boring with no real thought in their music, so worldly music - unfortunately - is where my Pa and I get our inspirations for style.

 

[wildlily]

As long as it isn't promoting the things God hates, it's ok by me. Such as music without lyrics... But it's not that simple I suppose. Music that promotes sin seems to be poisioning everyone around us, mostly the young..

I agree with you Ishida,as long as it isn't to the point you lose all you believe in. It's not simple.

 

[captaincrunchtogo]

I had written a paper on this my senior year of high school. I had looked up all this research done on how music effects the brain. Basically, my conclusion came down to that any music you listen to needs to be scripturally sound. It doesn't matter what content is in it as long as it lines up with what the Bible has to say. If it has relationships in it, do those relationships line up with what God says about them.

 

[Windlord]

Hmm. There is one thing about Christian music I think is worth noting. It has it's uses, but a lot of it written today is theologically empty really. Rich Mullins was a Christian Musician, and he said something I think is very relevant.

"
And the rest of it, it's so funny being a Christian musician. It always scares me when I talk to you guys and you guys think so highly of Christian music, contemporary Christian music especially. Because I kinda go, I know a lot of us, and we don't know jack about anything. Not that I don't want you to buy our records and come to our concerts. I sure do. But you should come for entertainment. If you really want spiritual nourishment, you should go to church.


Those people care about you, and you don't have to buy a ticket. If you really want spiritual nourishment, you should read the Scriptures. It'll confuse you to death practically, but you're gonna die anyway, so why not go out doing something good?"

 

[TanteBelle]

Hmm. There is one thing about Christian music I think is worth noting. It has it's uses, but a lot of it written today is theologically empty really. Rich Mullins was a Christian Musician, and he said something I think is very relevant.

"
And the rest of it, it's so funny being a Christian musician. It always scares me when I talk to you guys and you guys think so highly of Christian music, contemporary Christian music especially. Because I kinda go, I know a lot of us, and we don't know jack about anything. Not that I don't want you to buy our records and come to our concerts. I sure do. But you should come for entertainment. If you really want spiritual nourishment, you should go to church.


Those people care about you, and you don't have to buy a ticket. If you really want spiritual nourishment, you should read the Scriptures. It'll confuse you to death practically, but you're gonna die anyway, so why not go out doing something good?"

What do you mean by 'theologically empty'?

I don't quite get what he was saying, sorry. Could you paraphrase a bit? I find American talk a little too theological to understand! LOL!

 

[Windlord]

What do you mean by 'theologically empty'?

I don't quite get what he was saying, sorry. Could you paraphrase a bit? I find American talk a little too theological to understand! LOL!

What I mean is that there is usually very little theological depth to the songs. While most Christian Music isn't theologically wrong, there isn't much theology in it. Instead I find that a lot of Christian Music focuses on emotion, and generally does a much worse job at that than a lot of secular music does.


What Rich Mullins meant is that it bothered him how highly Christian Musicians are regarded; because as a Christian Musician himself he knew plenty of other Musicians. And he knew that most Christian Musicians don't really know that much about theology or truth, so it scared him that people thought so highly of their songs.

He suggested people go to church or read the scriptures to find the truth instead. Go to Christian Music when you want entertainment, but that's all it is; entertainment.

 

[sjwilliams1111]

i believe that its ok to listen to what ever music you want to... but you also need to realize what is getting fed, your spiritual or fleshly being, and also realize that god moves through the spirit, and if the flesh gets fed the most, then the flesh will over power and the spirit will become weak...if you are feeding negative messages to yourself, via gangsta rap, hardcore rock, or anything that talks about killing or disrespecting women (you guys know whats out there).. but anything of that nature, you are feeding the wrong man... its a war between spirit and flesh... leave no room for the enemy to influence.. but there is some music thats good and positive out there, dont get me wrong, but you just have to be careful. you could think that something means one thing, but the artist could be stating another.. thats how confusing stuff is now and days... i personally listen to jazz. i feel that you cant get any kind of influence to kill a person, or disrespect my fellow brother/sister by listening to a couple of harmonic notes.. but thats just me. there is some music thats great, i know that sometimes i would like to take a break from gospel music and throw in some john legend or somthing of that nature.. but just be careful of what vibe and what message that these artist are putting out there now... i will be praying for you..god bless