Secular music and the Christian

by Jillian Vassen

How much thought do we give to the type of music we and especially our children listen to. Is it ok for Christians to listen to secular music?

The Seventh Day Adventist life-style demands that the individual exercise a high degree of discrimination and individual responsibility in the selection of secular music for personal use. All such music should be evaluated in the light of the instructions given in Phil 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

A Christian will not sing songs that are incompatible with the ideals of truth, honesty, and purity. He will avoid elements that give the appearance of making evil desirable or goodness appear trivial. The true Christian is able to witness to others by his choice of secular music for social occasions. He will through careful selection seek out music which will be compatible with his social needs and his Christian principles.

God has woven music into the very fabric of His creation. When he made everything “the morning stars sang together and the angels shouted for joy” Job 38:7.           Because we are made in His image, we share a love and appreciation for music with all created beings. But sin has cast a blight over the creation. The divine image has been marred; in all aspects this world and God’s gifts come to us with a mingling of good and evil. Music is not morally and spiritually neutral. Some may move us to the most exalted human experience; some may be moved by the prince of evil to debase and degrade us, to stir up lust, passion, despair, anger, and even hatred. If a song glorifies what opposes God; a Christian should not listen to it. However there are secular songs with no mention of God that still uphold godly values such as honesty, purity and integrity.

There are a few principles that should guide us when choosing music

1.  Does it glorify God – 1 Cor 10: 31

2.  It should be the noblest and the best Phil 4:8

Because as followers of Jesus Christ we hope and expect to join the heavenly choirs, thus we should view life on this earth as a preparation for and a foretaste of the life to come.

3.  The lyrics should positively stimulate intellectual abilities as well as our emotions and our will power.

Now that we looked at what the content of the lyrics should be. Do you think that the lyrics are all that we should consider? I read through various articles on the subject and most claim that music is neutral and that the Bible nowhere condemns any particular style of music. However there is no doubt that music does change or influence the way that we feel.

Some research has shown that Classical music slows down your heart rate, reduces your distractions and puts your body more at ease. Whereas Rock, R&B , or anything else with a strong beat has the opposite effect.  An increased heart rate adds to nervousness and in extreme cases, contributes to panic attacks. Studies also show that loud, aggressive rhythms can cause long-term damage to organs. This may be one of the reasons why loud and aggressive music is sometimes used as an interrogation method.

A month ago, lyrics and style might have been all I would cover for this topic, but for the past moth I have been watching a series on 3ABN by Past John Lomacang, titled “unclean spirits”. It focussed on the entertainment industry and in particular the music industry. It was eye opening to say the least. I did not watch all 5 seminars, but the little I saw was enough to convince me that this was a topic that needed some attention. In the series he uncovered link between the occult world and the music industry. He showed how some of the most popular artists used occult hand sign and displayed these signs on their cd covers and clothes. With these signs they openly declare whom they are affiliated with.

The past weekend we went to visit my brother in Vereeniging and my youngest brother from Cape Town joined us. He told me that a friend of a friend gave them one of the dvd’s of Past Lomacang to watch. He told me that he was shocked at what he saw and then told his friend that if you listened to that Pastor you would not be able to listen to secular music anymore because after watching the dvd he saw the signs everywhere. Successful artists like Rihanna, Jay-Z and Beyonce are displaying these sign openly and our children are using these signs not knowing what they mean. Other Rock bands have songs that openly mention their affiliation like “sympathy for the devil” by the Rolling Stones.

I urge you, brothers and sisters, let us listen carefully to the lyrics of the music our children listen to. Let us do some research on these artists. I didn’t want to bring some of the pictures of the signs that are on the net to church, but please let us not make light of this subject.

When we have evangelistic campaign we pray on the tracts and material that will be handed out and we ask the Holy Spirit to accompany them and to speak to the mind and heart of the reader. The same is done when these artists releases new cd’s, they envoke evil demons to accompany these cd’s into your house.

And let us not just focus on the music of the youth. Let us go through our own music and clean up our homes.

Have you ever listened to the soothing music of Barry Manilow? Do you remember his song “I write the songs”

Listen to the lyrics.

I Write The Songs lyrics

I've been alive forever
and I wrote the very first song
I put the words and
the melodies together
I am music
And I write the songs

(chorus)
I write the songs
that make the whole world sing
I write the songs
of love and special things
I write the songs
that make the young girls cry
I write the songs
I write the songs

My home lies deep within you
And I've got my own place in your soul
Now when I look out through your eyes
I'm young again, even though I'm very old

(chorus)

Oh my music makes you dance
And gives your spirit
to take a chance
And I wrote some rock 'n roll
so you can move
Music fills your heart
Well that's a real fine
place to start
It's from me, it's for you
It's from you, it's from me
It's a world wide symphony

(chorus)

I am music, and I write the songs

Let us become vigilant when it comes to the music we listen to, let us guard our ears and  not conform to the world.

Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Amen