Is there something wrong with listening to music that isn't under a christian label?

[vexroid]

man, just listen to what you like, if you have a conciense conflict, then toss it

there is plenty of stuff out there that is not worship music that still has truth in it and is therefore worth listening to

You're arguing with scripture now?

 

[Kamtre]

i listten to alot of secular stuff, my youth leader says its not good, but i still enjoy it alot

 

[call-me-dan]

You're arguing with scripture now?

give me the exact scripture and an argument instead of just making a bland statement

I can say that i am responsible enough with my thoughts to listen to secular music that i find appealing. I filter out that which i find to be openly hostil to my faith and try to seek the stuff in which the artist is seeking truth or just talking about life. When i said concience, you could interpret from that how the Holy Spiri in you reacts to certain music.

And as for your comment, Jesus appeared to be arguiing with scripture many times to those who did not believe he was the saviour. I hate it when people try to become the Pharisees of the Christians.

John 12:47

As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.

 

[Reborn_in_Christ2003]

All I will say is you are the product of your enviroment. If you listen to secular trash that talks about sex, drugs, and other sinful activites then you might(might not) start to act like that in some form. If you listen to good secular(Creed, linkin park, or some evanescence) or even Christian music then you are more than likly to be positivly influenced by music.

 

[blackpurseninja]

If someone is going to be legalistic about secular music without bad lyrics, you might as well apply that to all forms of art to be fair. Be sure to not look at any paintings, movies, musicals, sculptures, etc. unless they are done by Christian artists and incorporate scripture.

 

[servant4ever]

vexroid,

Do you drive a car? There is no "Christian" car company and many people in the world drives a car. How do you classify music that does not mention "God" as being part of the world and yet a car that is not "Christian" not part of the world? Also, computers. There is no "Christian" computer company, and many people of the world use computers. Money is the same way. Money is made by a non-Christian government but we Christians use it. It just depends how you use it. If it is demonic in nature, it is wrong. But, if it not demonic, it is fine. Plus, many secular songs can be used to help bring the gospel to all sorts of people that wouldn't listen to Christian music.

servant4ever

 

[Andy D]

I used to listen to a lot of secular music...but when i start to read about the lives of these people who are singing...I remember that I am not of this world and shouldnt be partaking of the same sinful ways. By listening to the music of those artists who openly go against Christianity and sing songs that have lyrics that are not clean, I am not listening to the verse in Timothy (cant remember reference) that talks about thinking on things that are pure.

I dont even watch TV on a regular basis...cause i could see the difference it made in my life. But then if I stop listening to secular music or TV, something else will just find its way to fill up my mind with garbage. The best way is to memorise lots of scripture so you always have something good and pure in your mind. Then when you do listen to secular music or watch tv, you will have better discernment as to whether or not you should be listening to it or watching it.

 

[vexroid]

vexroid,

Do you drive a car? There is no "Christian" car company and many people in the world drives a car. How do you classify music that does not mention "God" as being part of the world and yet a car that is not "Christian" not part of the world? Also, computers. There is no "Christian" computer company, and many people of the world use computers. Money is the same way. Money is made by a non-Christian government but we Christians use it. It just depends how you use it. If it is demonic in nature, it is wrong. But, if it not demonic, it is fine. Plus, many secular songs can be used to help bring the gospel to all sorts of people that wouldn't listen to Christian music.

servant4ever

Does a car talk?

 

[servant4ever]

Vexroid,

You still can do bad things with a car... How can a car uplift God?

servant4ever

 

[blackpurseninja]

Hey, if someone feels convicted and feels that listening to secular music is wrong (without bad lyrics) that is fine by me, but they need not only apply it to music but apply it to all forms of art that express ideals, emotions, and views - and that pretty much knocks out the majority of artistic expression there is to enjoy out there, including museums. I wouldn't go so far as to apply that to appliances.

 

[vexroid]

Vexroid,

You still can do bad things with a car... How can a car uplift God?

servant4ever

How can secular music uplift God?

 

[call-me-dan]

I used to listen to a lot of secular music...but when i start to read about the lives of these people who are singing...I remember that I am not of this world and shouldnt be partaking of the same sinful ways. By listening to the music of those artists who openly go against Christianity and sing songs that have lyrics that are not clean, I am not listening to the verse in Timothy (cant remember reference) that talks about thinking on things that are pure.

I dont even watch TV on a regular basis...cause i could see the difference it made in my life. But then if I stop listening to secular music or TV, something else will just find its way to fill up my mind with garbage. The best way is to memorise lots of scripture so you always have something good and pure in your mind. Then when you do listen to secular music or watch tv, you will have better discernment as to whether or not you should be listening to it or watching it.

there is still secular music that has truth in it, things that are pure and right and praiseworthy, and just because one artist usually doesnt put out something wholesome doesnt mean that the one song he did write that was good isnt worth listening to (2pac for example, swears alot but is often trying to make a point that is really true).


and as for you vexroid

you never answered me;

Where is your structured intelligent argument? Of what specific Scripture were you hinting at?

you seem to be dodging the questions by making statements that only slightly pertain to the topic, while changing the focus from yourself to the other person.

how can secular music uplift God?

it depends if you are looking for everything bad in that song, or if you listen to it and try to find all that is good. people who spend their lives looking for everything bad the world is doing often miss all the good that God created for us to enjoy.

If God created everything on the earth, then God created everything that is beautiful and right and creative, especially music!! Whether or not the artist meant for his/her music to praise God, the fact that they can compose and hold a beat at all gives God glory. The artist cannot escape the fact that every time they make music they are praising the Lord.

one must find the difference between "loving the things of this world" and loving the beautiful things God created.

†
dan

 

[vexroid]

there is still secular music that has truth in it, things that are pure and right and praiseworthy, and just because one artist usually doesnt put out something wholesome doesnt mean that the one song he did write that was good isnt worth listening to (2pac for example, swears alot but is often trying to make a point that is really true).

How in the world can you even think of saying that secular music can be "praiseworthy"? It is of the world, last time I checked we should be praising God, not the world.

and as for you vexroid

you never answered me;

Where is your structured intelligent argument? Of what specific Scripture were you hinting at?

you seem to be dodging the questions by making statements that only slightly pertain to the topic, while changing the focus from yourself to the other person.



it depends if you are looking for everything bad in that song, or if you listen to it and try to find all that is good. people who spend their lives looking for everything bad the world is doing often miss all the good that God created for us to enjoy.

If God created everything on the earth, then God created everything that is beautiful and right and creative, especially music!! Whether or not the artist meant for his/her music to praise God, the fact that they can compose and hold a beat at all gives God glory. The artist cannot escape the fact that every time they make music they are praising the Lord.

one must find the difference between "loving the things of this world" and loving the beautiful things God created.

†
dan

First off, tell me where I went off topic? Secondly, I posted the scrture above.

And as for your "structured, intelligent argument", I need to get one from you first and with you claiming that God created secular music, I haven't seen an intelligent argument yet. God may give us the ability to play music, but it's what we do with it that praises God. The fact that an artist can play music does not glorify God if it is of this world.

 

[call-me-dan]

And as for your "structured, intelligent argument", I need to get one from you first and with you claiming that God created secular music, I haven't seen an intelligent argument yet.

look, im not going to get personal in arguing with you.
I had already read your previous verse and I asked you to present me a scripture that specifically opposed non-worship style music, sorry if i was unclear.

How in the world can you even think of saying that secular music can be "praiseworthy"? It is of the world, last time I checked we should be praising God, not the world.

If something is original, or creative or unique, something composed and written and that blends together (like music) then i call it praiseworthy.

If my kid brother draws a scraggly little picture of me playing guitar and says, "does this look good?", well, his drawing isn't praising God now is it? So should i say,

"well sorry bro, you picture looks great for a kid your age but, your picture is not glorifying God! so, even though you tried to put the effort into controlling your little hands to hold that crayon, besides the fact that you tried to create a beautiful picture on paper from something in life you saw, it is NOT praiseworthy because you did it for me, and not for God."

well that would be kinda sick now wouldn't it? From Gods perspective we are just a buncha kids trying to make music to reflect what we see in life, what we hear and feel and do. Praising God is important, even necessary for spiritual development, but so is expressing what we see and understand around us. that is what music is about.

and as for the second part, i just don't agree with you. God created our abilities, and whether we are playing in a band or at church, our abilities show Gods order and structure and purpose in life, and therefore give Him glory, whether we mean to or not. I believe the line is drawn when people use their abilities to purposefully attack God and Life.



†
dan

 

[audriem21]

Very well said Dan! Amen to that. ]

What I do is take wordly music and apply it to my life so that I am praising God. After all, the Lord is in every love song, is he not? Some songs relate to my life more than Christian songs sometimes. And although we have all the happy stuff in Christian songs, secular music can show a different perpective of life that we can also appreciate. To me, it just makes me appreciate God more.

 

[xpunkskaterx]

so can you listen to secular on a Christian label?

 

[Infernal Freak]

you must be amish.

I don't think that is true... My pastor says that too... We are the 1st Assembly of God... you must be baptist.

-Heather-

 

[Mother Vashti]

Ok, I love all different types of music. My pastor says that we shouldn't listen to any music other than music that uplifts God. Well, I listen to Christian music a plenty but i also like songs from other artists. I don't listen to music with a bad message or cussing in it. And i really don't see why God would care, i mean, music is to enjoy.

What do you think?

I think I agree with you. As long as music inspires and awakens good within you, it's clean (or 'holy', as some of you prefer).

 

[overnight]

I agree with a statement that was made (and I paraphrase) "What goes in is what comes out." I am not saying that we need to get completly away from secular music. That is the problem with christianity is that it is looked at as not being fun and alot of secular music is just that FUN. However, there are many different types of Christian music nowdays and most everyone can find a style that is theres from ska, rap, hard rock, pop, country, and praise. Look the point is we all need to set examples you have heard it said that you may be the only Bible a person reads, if you listen to Marlin Manson what kind of example are you setting. I know I took an extrem example but you see what I mean I hope. People who say don't listen to secular music I ask them do you only watch Chrsitan shows, do you only read the Bible, do you pray as often as you should.... All have sinned.

Look it all boils down to this we are in the world but not of the world. Make decisions with a prayful heart and I am sure God will lead you to the type of music you should be listening to.

 

[TheMainException]

I agree as long as the music isn't telling you something that goes against the Word.