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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Religion / Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. (900 Views)
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Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by HercJay(m): 6:27pm On Jan 04, 2015 |
Question: "Should a Christian listen to secular music?" Answer: Many Christians struggle with this question. Many secular musicians are immensely talented. Secular music can be very entertaining. There are many secular songs that have catchy melodies, thoughtful insights, and positive messages. In determining whether or not to listen to secular music, there are three primary factors to consider: 1) the purpose of music, 2) the style of music, and 3) the content of the lyrics. 1) The purpose of music. Is music designed solely for worship, or did God also intend music to be soothing and/or entertaining? The most famous musician in the Bible, King David, primarily used music for the purpose of worshipping God (see Psalm 4:1 ; 6:1 , 54 , 55 ; 61:1 ; 67:1 ; 76:1 ). However, when King Saul was tormented by evil spirits, he would call on David to play the harp in order to soothe him (1 Samuel 16:14-23 ). The Israelites also used musical instruments to warn of danger (Nehemiah 4:20 ) and to surprise their enemies ( Judges 7:16-22 ). In the New Testament, the apostle Paul instructs Christians to encourage one another with music: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19 ). So, while the primary purpose of music does seem to be worship, the Bible definitely allows for other uses of music. 2) The style of music. Sadly, the issue of music styles can be very divisive among Christians. There are Christians who adamantly demand that no musical instruments be used. There are Christians who only desire to sing the “old faithful” hymns. There are Christians who want more upbeat and contemporary music. There are Christians who claim to worship best in a “rock concert” type of environment. Instead of recognizing these differences as personal preferences and cultural distinctions, some Christians declare their preferred style of music to be the only “biblical” one and declare all other forms of music to be unwholesome, ungodly, or even satanic. The Bible nowhere condemns any particular style of music. The Bible nowhere declares any particular musical instrument to be ungodly. The Bible mentions numerous kinds of string instruments and wind instruments. While the Bible does not specifically mention drums, it does mention other percussion instruments (Psalm 68:25 ; Ezra 3:10 ). Nearly all of the forms of modern music are variations and/or combinations of the same types of musical instruments, played at different speeds or with heightened emphasis. There is no biblical basis to declare any particular style of music to be ungodly or outside of God’s will. 3) The content of the lyrics. Since neither the purpose of music nor the style of music determines whether a Christian should listen to secular music, the content of the lyrics must be considered. While not specifically speaking of music, Philippians 4:8 is an excellent guide for musical lyrics: “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.” If we should be thinking about such things, surely those are the things we should invite into our minds through music and lyrics. Can the lyrics in a secular song be true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy? If so, then there is nothing wrong with a Christian listening to a secular song of that nature. However, much of secular music does not meet the standard of Philippians 4:8 . Secular music often promotes immorality and violence while belittling purity and integrity. If a song glorifies what opposes God, a Christian should not listen to it. However, there are many secular songs with no mention of God that still uphold godly values such as honesty, purity, and integrity. If a love song promotes the sanctity of marriage and/or the purity of true love—even if it does not mention God or the Bible—it can still be listened to and enjoyed. Whatever a person allows to occupy his mind will sooner or later determine his speech and his actions. This is the premise behind Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:2 , 5 : establishing wholesome thought patterns. Second Corinthians 10:5 says we should “take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.” These Scriptures give a clear picture of the kind of music we should not listen to. Obviously, the best kind of music is that which praises and glorifies God. Talented Christian musicians work in nearly every musical genre, ranging from classical to rock, rap, and reggae. There is nothing inherently wrong with any particular style of music. It is the lyrics that determine whether a song is “acceptable” for a Christian to listen to. If anything leads you to think about or get involved in something that does not glorify God, it should be avoided. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by CrazyScientist: 6:31pm On Jan 04, 2015 |
Okay, now playing: #shoki |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by DancingSkeleton(m): 6:34pm On Jan 04, 2015 |
deceivers |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by elantraceey(f): 6:35pm On Jan 04, 2015 |
You hardly find a song going by the characteristics of your selected few , i've only found one , man in the mirror and i was shocked when i found out it was sang by michel jackson . |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by zyzxx(m): 6:54pm On Jan 04, 2015 |
God will help us. |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by Youngsage: 7:00pm On Jan 04, 2015 |
elantraceey:Hii |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by delishpot: 7:01pm On Jan 04, 2015 |
Yeah songs like sweet mother and if you see my mama hosana! |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by elantraceey(f): 7:09pm On Jan 04, 2015 |
Youngsage: Hi dearie , how are you? |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by Youngsage: 7:14pm On Jan 04, 2015 |
elantraceey:I'm cool! Where have u been? Been a while. |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by elantraceey(f): 7:16pm On Jan 04, 2015 |
Youngsage: yeah , i've been around , just went off for a while . |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by Youngsage: 7:37pm On Jan 04, 2015 |
elantraceey:okayy... New acct, what happened? Good thing u're back tho, thot u were like gone lol. |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by elantraceey(f): 8:12pm On Jan 04, 2015 |
Youngsage: lol , i was gone but had to come back because of the improper way i left , feels good to be back |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by Youngsage: 9:57pm On Jan 04, 2015 |
elantraceey:alright then. it's all good. Have a blessed wk ahead. catch ya |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by HercJay(m): 4:44pm On Jan 06, 2015 |
elantraceey: And that's exactly why we should stick to good gospel songs. I am just making a point clear. Some think all songs that do not directly mention God are sinful. Take a look at some old school songs. |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by HercJay(m): 4:46pm On Jan 06, 2015 |
delishpot: hahahahaha Naija blood no dey lie. 1 Like |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by HercJay(m): 4:48pm On Jan 06, 2015 |
CrazyScientist: Shebi #shoki meet the conditions above ba? You funny ooooo. 1 Like |
Re: Opinion: Christians Can Listen To SOME SELECTED Secular Music. by HercJay(m): 4:49pm On Jan 06, 2015 |
DancingSkeleton: #Funny can you back up your claim? |
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