Originalsly:
What exactly makes music secular or Christian?...is it the music?....the lyrics?...or both? There is not much difference now between secular and Christian music. So @topic...I'll not say yes or now.... but listen to any music that would uplift you. Some widely accepted Christian music is worse than 'secular music'..."I will Bless the Lord"...isn't that in itself blasphemy? ...but that's Christian! 'Lord Show me a Sign"..by DMX..yea..the same DMX... is 'secular'...but wayyyy more uplifting than soooooo many many Christian music.

how is 'I will bless the Lord' blasphemy? I know what you mean, but understand the word bless from a different angle. and check Psalm 103:1 too. it is the bible. bless here is worship, honor, give glory to...

iliyande:
Most, if not all, of us have a favourite song. Whether it's pop, rock, blues, jazz or classical, we can all agree that music contains a very strong element that moves our hearts, inspires us to be jolly or attempt new things, and at times makes us feel happy even when we're down.

For Christians, however, there's a common concern that arises every time music is played on the radio or in the bus station: can I listen to secular music and still be Christian? Honestly, Christians should consider when choosing where to be and which music they listen to.

1) Everything is permissible, but not beneficial

Paul said that all things are permitted, but not everything is good (1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:23). That's the same with secular music. Being a Christian doesn't mean thrashing the radio or asking the fast food crew to stop playing songs played by secular artists, but it does mean you should not listen to songs filled with ungodly lyrics.

While there are secular songs that sound good and bring good messages, there are many secular songs that encourage adultery, sexual lust, materialism, greed, hatred and bitterness, among other things. We should be careful what songs we listen to.

2) We must starve the flesh, feed the Spirit

Genuine Christ-followers know this: anything that would exalt the flesh and kill the spirit should be shut down in our lives. Whatever we feed grows healthy, and whatever we starve dies. Following this logic, we should instead choose to build up our spirit with praise instead of our flesh with soulish music.

James said, "is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms." (see James 5:13) The Bible tells us that whenever any man or woman of God is happy, we should firstly sing praises unto the Lord.

Take for example David, who sang many songs of praise to the Lord (see book of Psalms). Or Mary, who sang to the Lord because He has looked down on the lowly (Luke 1:46-55). Or Moses, who sang to the Lord while his sister Miriam pulled the tambourine out and sang while dancing because of His deliverance (Exodus 15).

Think about it. Would you like to sing "Dorobucci" in front of Christ during your prayer time?

3) We shouldn't be yoked with unbelievers

"What has Christ in common with belial?" said Paul (see 2 Corinthians 6:14-16). Christians shouldn't behave like the world, and the area of music isn't exempted from this.

Some say that they only listen to secular music so that they can reach out to their friends, but honestly, you can still reach out without doing that. Christ did not behave like the world, yet He fulfilled His work of atoning for our sins and reconciling us to the Father.

STILL DRINKING AND CLUBBING AS A CHRISTIAN?

By socialising in clubs you do not bring people up to your level in Christ, they bring you down to their level in the world. A person cannot respect someone who is not fully committed to that which they profess to believe in.

I used to justify myself, by saying that I did not get drunk, and so I only drunk solf drinks. But the reality was I paid for alcoholic beverages which aided my friends (who did not attend church meetings) in getting drunk when it was my turn to pay for the round.

I would be sat at the bar, while across the room, other people were telling dirty jokes, getting drunk, taking the name of the Lord in vain and the next day I would hypocritically be in church, hands in the air, sing praises to Jesus. I called myself a Christian yet did not live up to the standards that God had set. My testimony was compromised on a daily, if not weekly basis, *I was leading weaker brethren into sin and I was supporting the Devil’s ministry. How you may ask?...

Firstly, by going to such establishments.
Secondly, at church talking about where I had been the night before, (thus encouraging those of age to visit a pub or club).
Thirdly, by inviting other Christians out for a drink.

As one preacher said, “Either act like a Christian or change your name to heathen!”

God states and declares, “Be holy in all your conduct...because it is written, 'be holy because I am holy'” (1 Peter 1:15-16) because, ‘without holiness, no man shall see the Lord’ (Hebrews 12:14), “Anything that is not righteous is sinful” which is in accord with 1 John 5:17, 'All unrighteousness is sin...

Not a set of rules

Friends, this isn't about a set of rules. Rather, it's about fixing what's in your heart – would you rather fill your heart with God's praises, or fill it with the world's chorus?

HAPPY SUNDAY TO YOU ALL

I can't thank you enough for this piece. It's just the message for our time. Our children get carried away easily with these songs. You will be shocked that your daughter, a chorister in church marking her birthday, and her friends that come around, with her singing and dancing skelewu, davido, and others. I then ask, what's the difference between them. May God be God, and the Devil, the liar.

.

can i watch mojo(without fornicatting/masturbating) and still be a devoted christan?

babyBB:
dats true am sure u watched War room i so much luv dat movie

.

As in ehh.. some nairalanders encouraged me to watch the movie and I didn't regret doing so

folks4luv:

how is 'I will bless the Lord' blasphemy? I know what you mean, but understand the word bless from a different angle. and check Psalm 103:1 too. it is the bible. bless here is worship, honor, give glory to...

I hear you!....guess there's a difference in what you say and how you say it. It just strikes me that way all the time...as if the singer is above the Lord.

We need to be mindful of what we listen to..Example, the lyrics of some music's can cause us to sin. Perhaps, wen u r listening to a particular song where it describes hw big a girls backside is nd all other sexual contents.. Dis cud cux u to start imagining, which can lead u to formication, pornography, masturbation, rape. Our eyes and ears are gates through which things go into our hrt. And the bible said we should guild our heart with all diligence cux out of it comes d issue of life.. Always be in spirit in order not to yeild to the lost of the flesh.

salabscholar01:
God knows our hearts.... He sees our hearts. Music is a food for the soul... If worldly musics will take us to hell, everyone with good ears, with a good sound of communication is a victim of hell... We need not been extreme. Right now, as I write, my music is well amplified to the fullest...2Baba African Queen, booming... I serve God and I am always on his path. Don't quote me wrong please.

Thank you... personally I think God is not a fan of one genre of music or art, that is why we have psalms and songs of Solomon in the Bible...

Jonwesley:


I can't thank you enough for this piece. It's just the message for our time. Our children get carried away easily with these songs. You will be shocked that your daughter, a chorister in church marking her birthday, and her friends that come around, with her singing and dancing skelewu, davido, and others. I then ask, what's the difference between them. May God be God, and the Devil, the liar.

I hope one day, when your child ask you "if God does not like some music, why is there songs of Solomon in the Bible?"... you will have a good explanation for that child. #JustSaying

Jonwesley:


I can't thank you enough for this piece. It's just the message for our time. Our children get carried away easily with these songs. You will be shocked that your daughter, a chorister in church marking her birthday, and her friends that come around, with her singing and dancing skelewu, davido, and others. I then ask, what's the difference between them. May God be God, and the Devil, the liar.

I hope one day, when your child ask you "if God does not like some music, why is there songs of Solomon in the Bible?"... you will have a good explanation for that child. #JustSaying

many Christians nowadays find it easy to get drifted into secular music because half of the time the gospel singer are trying too hard to exemplified the life of secular musician, the secular musician sing about money, women body and lot of sex that is 90% of there song, go to Christ embassy winners chapel or this new generation churches, all the choir are busy wearing skimpy skirt that brings out the full contour of there body then they shake it in a way that makes a man that comes to church to praise God to start having funny ideas in his mind more also while the secular music is so much about money and sex Nigeria gospel singer especially are not on any way different sometimes I wonder what inspired them to sing this crap they call gospel songs? because it's gospel means they should not work hard to make it speaking ? mind you there foreign counterpart are doing a nice job this I believe has make Nigerian gospel music unattractive on the other hand music is the food of the soul and we can't all be gospel singer am writer and a poet when I see a good lyrics that actually affect my environment I salute it I don't care where it coming from its the reason tupac music "changes " will always be dear to me tuface African Queen is not secular to me it's a just a master piece of art some of his music might be secular and so on I believe wizkid, olamide and the rest will be forgotten say 10 yrs time all they do is make noise nothing masterful about all there music in a nutshell becareful to what u listen to cos they will shape the person you are 90% of Nigeria pop music is noise only once in a while u see gem in them like "ASA" "TUFACE" AFICAN CHINA they have release master piece of art that talk about our environment love and politics and what they say is true and they also said it well

what song was christ dancing to when he attended the wedding he changed water into wine? songs of praise?

Light and darkness must not join. Come out them and be separate, I will be your father and you will be my children.

ukorsimplicity:

Thank you... personally I think God is not a fan of one genre of music or art, that is why we have psalms and songs of Solomon in the Bible...

good. Thanks for your understanding here. We need to leave out a personal perspective, dealing with God. How I wish we all understand this. Thank you, you're welcome.

But Jesus our messiah was friends with the world. The bible tells he ate and drank with.... See the biggest sin of christianity as was with judaism is hypocrisy. Who are you to judge the way of God. No one is pure and all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But we are still gods in our own right because of the divinity that is inherent in all human and separates us from animals. friendship with the world is not enemity with God... Not loving your neighbour as yourself is enmity with God

wonukwuru:
The answer is CAPITAL "NO". The two cannot work together. It's either you are for God or for the devil. You cannot be on the fence. No matter the number of times they (the singer) mention the name of Jesus in a worldly music, that does not make it acceptable before God. As a true child of God that has the hope of going to heaven, you are not suppose to take pleasure in listening to worldly music. Music like "Na God win ooo, na God win. They say my music no go sale, na God win". As far as I'm concern any body that wants to go to heaven, that music is worldly and should not be listened to by a true Christian. "He that has this hope of going to heaven should purify himself even as Christ is pure". Know he not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Pls

ukorsimplicity:


I hope one day, when your child ask you "if God does not like some music, why is there songs of Solomon in the Bible?"... you will have a good explanation for that child. #JustSaying

What has songs of Solomon got to do with secular music. Don't get me misquoted, or read me out of context. So the fact that king Solomon had 1000 wives and 700 concubines is right for us to do? In this era of grace and life of Jesus as an example? No please.

Songs of Solomon was typically his life of romance in display and it's peculiar to him, not to be used as a pedestal for doing worldly things.

Originalsly:
I hear you!....guess there's a difference in what you say and how you say it. It just strikes me that way all the time...as if the singer is above the Lord.

remember d singer quoted the bible.

Can I Listen To Secular Music/clubbing And Still Be A Devoted Christian?

No nah! How now!! Who does dat??

Yuneehk:
You can't be lukewarm.. You're either hot or cold!

War room. I luh it

Vickyydera:
Yes, but listen the ones with meaningful lyrical content.

No ma. You cannot. You will not hear from the Holy Spirit who's silent voice demands absolute attention always. And without the Holy Spirit you cannot function as a Christian in the real sense of it, not just a person wearing a Christian garb.

[quote author=Vickyydera post=46709125]Yes, but listen the ones with meaningful lyrical content.[/quote either meaningful or unmeaningful the source(artist) justify all. Let us call a spade a spade.

The bible say from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Therefore yield to the bible advice that says " flee from all appearances of evil".

listening to secular music can gradually influence your life and ultimately pollute your life.

You are the product of what you take in.

iliyande:
Most, if not all, of us have a favourite song. Whether it's pop, rock, blues, jazz or classical, we can all agree that music contains a very strong element that moves our hearts, inspires us to be jolly or attempt new things, and at times makes us feel happy even when we're down.

For Christians, however, there's a common concern that arises every time music is played on the radio or in the bus station: can I listen to secular music and still be Christian? Honestly, Christians should consider when choosing where to be and which music they listen to.

1) Everything is permissible, but not beneficial

Paul said that all things are permitted, but not everything is good (1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:23). That's the same with secular music. Being a Christian doesn't mean thrashing the radio or asking the fast food crew to stop playing songs played by secular artists, but it does mean you should not listen to songs filled with ungodly lyrics.

While there are secular songs that sound good and bring good messages, there are many secular songs that encourage adultery, sexual lust, materialism, greed, hatred and bitterness, among other things. We should be careful what songs we listen to.

2) We must starve the flesh, feed the Spirit

Genuine Christ-followers know this: anything that would exalt the flesh and kill the spirit should be shut down in our lives. Whatever we feed grows healthy, and whatever we starve dies. Following this logic, we should instead choose to build up our spirit with praise instead of our flesh with soulish music.

James said, "is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms." (see James 5:13) The Bible tells us that whenever any man or woman of God is happy, we should firstly sing praises unto the Lord.

Take for example David, who sang many songs of praise to the Lord (see book of Psalms). Or Mary, who sang to the Lord because He has looked down on the lowly (Luke 1:46-55). Or Moses, who sang to the Lord while his sister Miriam pulled the tambourine out and sang while dancing because of His deliverance (Exodus 15).

Think about it. Would you like to sing "Dorobucci" in front of Christ during your prayer time?

3) We shouldn't be yoked with unbelievers

"What has Christ in common with belial?" said Paul (see 2 Corinthians 6:14-16). Christians shouldn't behave like the world, and the area of music isn't exempted from this.

Some say that they only listen to secular music so that they can reach out to their friends, but honestly, you can still reach out without doing that. Christ did not behave like the world, yet He fulfilled His work of atoning for our sins and reconciling us to the Father.

STILL DRINKING AND CLUBBING AS A CHRISTIAN?

By socialising in clubs you do not bring people up to your level in Christ, they bring you down to their level in the world. A person cannot respect someone who is not fully committed to that which they profess to believe in.

I used to justify myself, by saying that I did not get drunk, and so I only drunk solf drinks. But the reality was I paid for alcoholic beverages which aided my friends (who did not attend church meetings) in getting drunk when it was my turn to pay for the round.

I would be sat at the bar, while across the room, other people were telling dirty jokes, getting drunk, taking the name of the Lord in vain and the next day I would hypocritically be in church, hands in the air, sing praises to Jesus. I called myself a Christian yet did not live up to the standards that God had set. My testimony was compromised on a daily, if not weekly basis, *I was leading weaker brethren into sin and I was supporting the Devil’s ministry. How you may ask?...

Firstly, by going to such establishments.
Secondly, at church talking about where I had been the night before, (thus encouraging those of age to visit a pub or club).
Thirdly, by inviting other Christians out for a drink.

As one preacher said, “Either act like a Christian or change your name to heathen!”

God states and declares, “Be holy in all your conduct...because it is written, 'be holy because I am holy'” (1 Peter 1:15-16) because, ‘without holiness, no man shall see the Lord’ (Hebrews 12:14), “Anything that is not righteous is sinful” which is in accord with 1 John 5:17, 'All unrighteousness is sin...

Not a set of rules

Friends, this isn't about a set of rules. Rather, it's about fixing what's in your heart – would you rather fill your heart with God's praises, or fill it with the world's chorus?

HAPPY SUNDAY TO YOU ALL

practical impossible! you can't serve two masters at a go!

[quote author=iliyande post=46709088]

What makes a piece of music secular?
Why do we listen to a piece of music?
Is it for the content/message or the beat?

Fanatical Christians have a way of thinkig in a straightjacket manner.
Will a Christian go to Hell if he/she listens to Bob Marley's Equal Rights;
Or Fela"s Yellow Fever?

Certain moods call for certain kind of music, including gospel music.
I have several folders R&B, Gospel, Dub, Jazz, Naijamix, Highlife, East African Benga (if you grew up in that time), etc.
I do not feel less a Christian listening to them.
Ironically, when these so-called unbelievers' music get the word "Jesus" injected into them, they lose their "worldliness", become "purified" and brothers and sister will sind and dance non-stop.

Aristotle said the music a man listens to is a refection of his state of mind.

Music sung in the church of today is very similar to secular music, the rythm,message and dance steps even the artist come from church.

So bros u were never a devout xtian in the first place.

Just a secular xtian of in the words of a naija artiste ' a very good bad guy'

Naija Christians are so sanctimonious! We are in the world but not of the world. Jesus died for sinners too. Mind you, a sinner isn't defined as someone who clubs or grooves. Sin is a spiritual ailment with physical symptoms but we get stuck focusing on the wrong symptoms!

Develop a relationship with God and there won't be need for all these funny threads.

I actually read through the thread before commenting... And am actually lamenting in my heart dat many people don't understand wat it means to be a devoted christian ( Born Again ). U cannot be genuinely Born Again and ure listening to secular... If you have the HolySpirit he will definitely checkmate you. Me for one dont listen to secular music my phone is filled with gospel music 100%. If u truly encounter Jesus u will understand wat am saying... Hilsong, Michael W Smith, Matt Redman, Jesus culture... So much more. I love Jesus die!!

medicine to the soul... what prescription(song) are you taking and do you trust the doctor (musician)?

God has a standard! If God cannot dance to that song, why sing it.

izzy4shizzy:
After reading this, I remembered something I was asking mysef a while back, the Gay guy in the movie "empire" sings good songs, nice chords, nice mixing..i love his songs but he is gay and I would have said I hate gays but I lernt recently that 'hate' is a strong word so i'll say I dislyk Gays and thier act, but yet I love his songs...that puts me inbetween!


Ff to d part the o.p said sumtin abt alcohol..there is this misconception abt drinking and christianity at large..i drink one bottle of beer, am happy I smile but am not drunk, I can still carry out my tasks well, I fail how to see how that makes me a bad christian...christianity shudnt be focus on trivial tins like alcohol consumption but how we treat our neighbours and friends and people in general...that man u see and call a drunkard is more generous nd thinks more of others than that quiet good church member that hapens to pay huge tithes from stolen and looted funds


And to the music part, most gospel artist are lazy dazzal, if ur song is good people will like it period, get good beat, good lyrics and ideas and pple will like u and kisten to ir songs


Brb ba3 low

Hehehehe...Jamal sings pretty good
Good Enough,Conqueror etc

Thank you so much for this insightful post... I have always been curious about this topic. We cant call ourselves Christians and stil serve the Devil inderectly.. *thumbs up*

listening to 'Aja 4 gbera' won't add any virtue or value to ones life, it will only numb my spiritual senses. Take that from me; music is another powerful Guduma in this world. Beware of what you listen to and don't let lewd and salacious songs rob you of your God given sanity.