Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Is listening to secular music wrong?

Since reading the book Worship Matters by Bob Kauflin, I've struggled with the above question. I have a habit of listening to music, that's not bad, but is fluff. Kinda like reading a fluff book, you don't get a lot or anything out of it. A couple months ago, I decided to only listen to *strong Christian* and classical music. I only lasted a couple weeks until I fell back into listening to secular music. Now, the secular music I was listening too, was not the best music, but it did not involve, language and so on. It was just fluff music. ;)

*I said strong Christian music, cause there are lots of bands out there that say their Christian, but there music does not really have anything to do about God. A little like Britt Nicole's song  Headphones.(Video.)I did not see anything bad about the song, but it's not like one of Chris Tomlin's songs. There is something so powerful with all of Chris Tomlin's music, that other bands lack. Kinda, like Pure NRG, they are Christians but how does dancing on stage singing footloose glorify God? God gives us talent so that we can give back by glorifying Him.*

I think what you listen too and sing, really matters! You might not think it bothers you and it's just music it won't influence me. But you are wrong.  Everything you read, listen too, and watch will influence you, it's just a matter of time before you notice. If you even notice at all.

"Every time we open out mouths, we're leading others. Not just when we're in front of people, but all the time. We're counseling them. Communicating what's important and what's not. Letting others know whose words matter more - ours or God's. God wants our speech to be sound, gracious, truthful and edifying, no matter where we are or whom we're with." ~Worship Matters

 From reading the above, I would say going around singing, songs like "Whiskey Lullaby" or "I told you so" aren't going to be showing to others I love God and He is my king! Do we want God's words flowing from our lips or the world's?~Worship Matters

" Too often we can be tempted to choose songs because of the music rather than the theological content. We need to realize that when words are combined with music we can be deceived. Music can make shallow lyrics sounds deep. A great rhythm section can make drivel sound profound and make you want to sing it again." ~ Worship Matters

"It's a source of profound encouragement to realize God gave us music to deepen and develop our relationship with him. The Father sings, the Son sings, and the Spirit sings. How can we keep from singing?"


I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. - Psalm 34:1

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises ... Psalm 57:7.

I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to You among the nations ... Psalm 57:9.

O my strength, I will sing praises to You; for God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness ... Psalm 59:17

So I will sing praise to Your name forever, that I may pay my vows day by day ... Psalm 61:8.

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You ... Psalm 63:3.

My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth offers praises with joyful lips ... Psalm 63:5

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praises to the Lord, Selah ... Psalm 68:32.
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I will also praise You with a harp, even Your truth, O my God; to You I will sing praises with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. My lips will shout for joy when I sing praises to You; and my soul, which You have redeemed ... Psalm 71:22-23.



So what do you think?What are your views on/about secular music?


*In saying it's wrong I'm not saying it's a sin. Unless you are cursing or are singing  songs that say sin (immoral things there is no God. so on.)  are OK.  It's just saying fluff Christian music  it's not really God honoring.*

2 comments:

Abigail Knutson said...

well i have to say i listen to a lot of songs that aren't Christian but aren't bad, i also like a lot of music that is Christian, i think long as their is nothing like language or inappropriate content, but i think i like the Christian music i listen to better than the fluff music especially "slow fade" -casting crowns. thats one of my favorite songs :D
i guess it just depends on your music tastes. :}

Zoe said...

Great post! I definitely agree. Most music today (even some Christian music) is so humanistic - mainly focused on embracing yourself, reaching your true potential, finding yourself, being happy, getting your way, ect. At a conference over the summer the speaker said that the enemy is using music to deceive Christians by telling us that it is all about us. So true. If people can begin to think it's all about them and that they can do anything, they can begin to think they don't need God.

Just thought I would share that. :)