The Subtle Influence of Secular Music

[akeng]

Its still not sin, and the problem with inturpreting such scripture that way is you can appy it to just about anything and it blurs the line as to what is actually right and what is actually wrong to what someones opinion is.

This is another example of inventing sin where there is none.  If you dont want to listen to it thats fine, if you want to alienate your friends thats fine but you better not be telling other christians to do that because these are just your personal convictions and are not scrptural.  Believe it or not there are christians that can listen to that music and hang out with there secular friends and not get drunk and have random sex.

I totally agree with you that not everyone who listens to secular music gets drunk and has random sex.  But I beg to differ on your opinion that it's not scriptural - I am referring to secular music that is sexual in nature and promotes fornication. 

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

How does secular music that basically glorify drinking and glorify fornication come in agreement with the scripture above?

[kristinaf]

[/quote]

I totally agree with you that not everyone who listens to secular music gets drunk and has random sex.  But I beg to differ on your opinion that it's not scriptural - I am referring to secular music that is sexual in nature and promotes fornication. 

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

How does secular music that basically glorify drinking and glorify fornication come in agreement with the scripture above?
[/quote] Good point!  I agree with you.  Certain kinds of messages that some secular music promote are not in line with the bible and are not scriptural.  I don't think this is an example of "inventing sin". I think it is sinful music. 

We are called to guard our hearts as Christians, meaning we should simultaeneously guard our ears...because they influence our hearts and vice versa.  Rather, our hearts should be influencing our ears, into changing the radio station when something negative comes on. 

I find myself in a hard spot sometimes, because I listen to this one Christian radio station that repeats the same music over and over...so I got to the point when I went on a secular music fast for a week, and all I was listening to was this Christian station...I found more peace from God by listening to NO MUSIC...just to get a break from it was very peaceful.  Just something to try..I also find certain Christian songs very soothing.  So whatever floats your boat...:)

[Bocephus]

I don't listen to much "Christian" music because a lot of it is aesthetically unpleasing in my opinion, and I get tired of the "Jesus is my boyfriend" songs.

[kristinaf]

I don't listen to much "Christian" music because a lot of it is aesthetically unpleasing in my opinion, and I get tired of the "Jesus is my boyfriend" songs.

lol Some Christian music is good, but secular music seems to have a better beat somehow, and sound better (instrumentally speaking) .  But you know, Satan was the angel that was in charge of music wasn't he? 

[sedux]

lol Some Christian music is good, but secular music seems to have a better beat somehow, and sound better (instrumentally speaking)[/quote]

Yeah, I feel that way too.  There's alot of times where I'll hear a song and think - gosh - the lyrics are so trashy, but the beat of the music just ROCKs!!!

[SoConfused]

I kind of feel like it's going to be different for different people.  Some people shouldn't listen to it, or watch bad movies, or what have you... and some people are going to be able to handle it.  And it should all be done in love and without condemnation for others.  And when it doubt, err on the side of caution... or just pretend God is sitting right there with you.... because he is =)

[akeng]

My calculus book is not in line with scripture, I think as christians we get way to caught up in over analyzing things, not everything has to be about the bible or "inline with scripture" as long as it is not in direct conflict with scripture.  I dont know about you but I have to go to work and right now I am doing dispersion modeling and that is also not inline with scripture.  I agree if you can not handle a rap song that has some explicit lyrics then you should not listen to it but when I listen to it it sounds cool and I dont give the lyrics a second thought because I dont care its just entertainment, some people say it effects your sub consious but I have been listening to it all my life and I have not had an urge to rap a little kid or get drunk because I listened to a rap song.  I would hope that you are not so sensitive that if a song comes on in a friends car you act awkward or make weird comments.  I remember a long time ago a pastor I was listening to made a simple but profound statement, he said "you all need to stop being wierdos" when when you are pouring a glass of water you dont say did you know Jesus is the living water.  Its like some christians loose there common sense or something, you still have independent thought and make daily life decisions that are not moral or biblical in nature.

I totally agree with you that not everyone who listens to secular music gets drunk and has random sex.  But I beg to differ on your opinion that it's not scriptural - I am referring to secular music that is sexual in nature and promotes fornication. 

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

How does secular music that basically glorify drinking and glorify fornication come in agreement with the scripture above?
[/quote] Good point!  I agree with you.  Certain kinds of messages that some secular music promote are not in line with the bible and are not scriptural.  I don't think this is an example of "inventing sin". I think it is sinful music. 

We are called to guard our hearts as Christians, meaning we should simultaeneously guard our ears...because they influence our hearts and vice versa.  Rather, our hearts should be influencing our ears, into changing the radio station when something negative comes on. 

I find myself in a hard spot sometimes, because I listen to this one Christian radio station that repeats the same music over and over...so I got to the point when I went on a secular music fast for a week, and all I was listening to was this Christian station...I found more peace from God by listening to NO MUSIC...just to get a break from it was very peaceful.  Just something to try..I also find certain Christian songs very soothing.  So whatever floats your boat...:)
[/quote]

[sedux]

I understand where you're coming from.  It's like that whole controversy with the Da Vinci Code movie and whether or not it's okay for a Christian to go see it.  I've seen it, and like you with your choice of music, viewed it only as entertainment and nothing more.  It would be wise for Christians in general, to be sensitive to what they expose themselves to, especially when it comes to explicit content of any kind.   Not just for how it might impact them, but also those around them, for the Lord calls us not to be a stumbling block to others. 

[kristinaf]

Akeng -

I don't know how you can listen to rap music with explicit lyrics and not have it affect you, but we are two different individuals, so maybe that's why.  I personally would suggest that for the majority of Christians - guard your ears and don't listen to music like this.  That is my personal recommendation.  I know we are called to be "in the world, not OF the world"...so what does that scripture reveal to you?  I think it means that just because we are in this sinful world, with it's sinful music, that we don't need to listen to sexually explicit messages in rap music and music that glorifies getting drunk.  How does this glorify God? 

Proverbs 18:15 "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out"  (This seems to suggest that ears are for acquiring knowledge, such as reading the Bible! for example)

Again,  Proverbs 23:12  " Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge" (Again, same thing)

Acts 7:51 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears!  You always resist the Holy Spirit!..." (Perhaps some of us need to circumsize our hearts and ears...) 

It all depends on how serious and mature you are as a Christian.  Not to say I am perfect.  I used to listen to nasty music, just don't anymore, because my walk with God has matured.  I am more discerning now.  And proud of it! I would rather have memorized a verse from the Bible than memorize the lyrics to some song.  That is cool to me.  :)

[sedux]

Akeng -

I don't know how you can listen to rap music with explicit lyrics and not have it affect you, but we are two different individuals, so maybe that's why.  I personally would suggest that for the majority of Christians - guard your ears and don't listen to music like this.  That is my personal recommendation.  I know we are called to be "in the world, not OF the world"...so what does that scripture reveal to you?  I think it means that just because we are in this sinful world, with it's sinful music, that we don't need to listen to sexually explicit messages in rap music and music that glorifies getting drunk.  How does this glorify God? 

Proverbs 18:15 "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out"  (This seems to suggest that ears are for acquiring knowledge, such as reading the Bible! for example)

Again,  Proverbs 23:12  " Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge" (Again, same thing)

Acts 7:51 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears!  You always resist the Holy Spirit!..." (Perhaps some of us need to circumsize our hearts and ears...) 

It all depends on how serious and mature you are as a Christian.  Not to say I am perfect.  I used to listen to nasty music, just don't anymore, because my walk with God has matured.  I am more discerning now.  And proud of it! I would rather have memorized a verse from the Bible than memorize the lyrics to some song.  That is cool to me.  :)

[akeng]

I guess my biggest point was to make sure you are not being melo dramatic about it.  Like I said music genere is more a matter of personal opinion rather than a scriptural requirement.  The scriptures you brought up are very vauge and I would be careful to apply such scripture to others, I still read the bible very frequently but I also study engineering and science (does that bring glory to God?, maybe but its not really spiritual or churchy but its my job and my passion), I dont really enjoy dolling out food at a soup kitchen but maybe some day I will be able to volunteer my skills in the technical relm.  Anyways, I Agree with not being a stumbling block just try not to be weird about it or have a superiority complex about it, just because you choose not to listen to a rap song in the car on the way home does not make the other guy that does less of a christian.  We are still part of the world, we eat the food listen to the music play the same games we just dont participate (at least try not to) in the sin (10 commandments).  We as christians can get bogged down in creating "rules" that seem like a good idea to make us more "godly" and then slowly church doctrine turns thoes rules into sin when in fact they are not, even Jesus said to woe to the lawyers who weigh men down with heavy burdens of which they do not even carry themselves, I say even if they are carrying it themselves they still have no right to weigh other men down.

Akeng -

I don't know how you can listen to rap music with explicit lyrics and not have it affect you, but we are two different individuals, so maybe that's why.  I personally would suggest that for the majority of Christians - guard your ears and don't listen to music like this.  That is my personal recommendation.  I know we are called to be "in the world, not OF the world"...so what does that scripture reveal to you?  I think it means that just because we are in this sinful world, with it's sinful music, that we don't need to listen to sexually explicit messages in rap music and music that glorifies getting drunk.  How does this glorify God? 

Proverbs 18:15 "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out"  (This seems to suggest that ears are for acquiring knowledge, such as reading the Bible! for example)

Again,  Proverbs 23:12  " Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge" (Again, same thing)

Acts 7:51 "You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears!  You always resist the Holy Spirit!..." (Perhaps some of us need to circumsize our hearts and ears...) 

It all depends on how serious and mature you are as a Christian.  Not to say I am perfect.  I used to listen to nasty music, just don't anymore, because my walk with God has matured.  I am more discerning now.  And proud of it! I would rather have memorized a verse from the Bible than memorize the lyrics to some song.  That is cool to me.  :)

[IamStefanie]

I agree that music is very influential. And while it may not make you do anything, it can make you mind go in one direction or the other. But I like what someone said best - sometimes you have to cut off ALL music! That's when you have the most peace. But on the flip side, I am a music lover, and while I usually listen to Gospel, I do like R & B/Soul and will listen to that often as well. But, I usually monitor what I listen too. If it's too much about making love, then I will turn it off because I don't want my mind to wander. But that's what works for me.

[walker starr]

         Still  nothing wrong     with good jazz.

[kristinaf]

My calculus book is not in line with scripture, I think as christians we get way to caught up in over analyzing things, not everything has to be about the bible or "inline with scripture" as long as it is not in direct conflict with scripture.  I dont know about you but I have to go to work and right now I am doing dispersion modeling and that is also not inline with scripture.  I agree if you can not handle a rap song that has some explicit lyrics then you should not listen to it but when I listen to it it sounds cool and I dont give the lyrics a second thought because I dont care its just entertainment, some people say it effects your sub consious but I have been listening to it all my life and I have not had an urge to rap a little kid or get drunk because I listened to a rap song.  I would hope that you are not so sensitive that if a song comes on in a friends car you act awkward or make weird comments.  I remember a long time ago a pastor I was listening to made a simple but profound statement, he said "you all need to stop being wierdos" when when you are pouring a glass of water you dont say did you know Jesus is the living water.  Its like some christians loose there common sense or something, you still have independent thought and make daily life decisions that are not moral or biblical in nature.

I understand what you mean here, to a degree, about Christians who "seem to lose their common sense".  I have a friend for instance who says that music by Tori Amos and Led Zeppelin, for example, is "demonic".  I beg to differ, and find that, while some of Tori Amos' music is offensive to my ears, some of it is beautifully sung with beautiful piano music, some of which I still play on the piano.  I find nothing wrong with that, and find it offensive that she thinks it's offensive!  Argh. 

As for Led Zeppelin, she says that they were "calling on spirits", and recalled an interview with Led Zeppelin where a band member said "something entered into him" when he was writing Stairway to Heaven...supposedly.  I had never heard this before, but I suppose that it's possible.  She interpreted this as demonic activity, and therefore, calls their music demonic. 

I personally think that is going to the extreme.  Some things aren't so black and white, they are gray, and need to be discerned with care.  I think some Christians take things to the extreme...and I don't really care for that kind of "Christianity".  Hmm. 

But I do think some music is under the influence of a seductive/sensual spirit.   Generally pop/rap music that glorifies sex outside of marriage, and kindof sneaks it in there...music that plants ideas in your head...bad influence!

[saturdaybell]

i know recently i took almost all secular music off my ipod and its mainly christian music now. i also know what its like to hang out with non christian friends and feel the temptation this happened to me recently and i almost gave in to the having fun in a bad way temptation

i feel music now adays is very Valgur and just plain filthy. its effecting our youth in a bad way, more people need to be a child of god and realize that fornication and bad habits are exactly that.