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SECULAR MUSIC FOR CHRISTIANS

by Jerry Smith
3/26/2017 / Christian Living

What kind of music can a Christian listen to? Based on what the Bible says directly about it, the question that comes to my mind is 'CAN' a Christian listen to secular music - not so much whether it is right or wrong from a legalistic standpoint. We have that liberty, as Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians 8:9 and Galatians 5:13, and as Peter refers to in 1 Peter 2:16. We can if we want to. However, 'CAN' we?

God gave us music for an intended purpose and we see the final end for music in heaven. We see in the Book of Revelation that in the end, in heaven, the songs/music will be directed toward God (Revelation 14:3, 15:3). Revelation gives the impression that this is the only music worth being engaged in since it is the music at the end of the old and at the beginning of the new.

Also, Colossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19 are pretty clear about what music we ought to be engaged in between believers - music that directs our thoughts to the Lord.

We can also include such passages as Philippians 4:8 into the mix and examine whether secular music directs our thoughts to "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure..." (KJV) and so on.

So, the question again, 'CAN' a Christian listen to secular music IF it might distract their heart and or mind from God and direct their thoughts to things of this world (some 'Christian' music can do this too). That must be a question that each believer would need to answer between them and God.

The argument may be raised that sometimes when we feel down we might want to listen to a certain kind of (secular) music. Saul listened to music when he felt down, but we are not told what music he listened to (it could have been God-exalting if David was playing/singing). David regularly cheered himself up in the Psalms with music focused on God or reflecting on His works. However, will we turn to the weak and beggarly elements of this world (Galatians 4:9) for comfort, or to the Lord (Psalm 32:7)?

The music we listen to reflects the level of comfort we find in God. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 7:10 that the sorrow of this world works death. If we extend that sorrow to the secular music we listen to (which some songs are filled with sorrow), the end is the same - it does not provide a lasting comfort and in perhaps many cases creates more mire and self-pity to wallow in or incites a rebellious spirit.

As for me though, I find it difficult (or rather very easy depending on one's perspective) to listen to secular music because I find it too easy to wander away from God in my thoughts and feelings. For example, sometimes if I hear one of these new songs with the beat and rhythm going or even an OST from one of my children's Disney videos I get kind of a rebellious, self-effort kind of feeling that I do not wish to have.

Jerry is a bi-vocational, helping pastor-teacher, Christian life coach, TESOL trainer & manager, author, and freelance writer, with degrees in Christian education, teaching-English, business, theology, and divinity, currently residing in the Philippines. His interests include practical theology.

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

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