Simple Bible Answers - A web site to further understand the Word of God.
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Simple Bible Answers - A web site to further understand the Word of God.
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Q. Can we enjoy non-church music? Q. Is all of it fair game?
Just like food, some will be good for you, some fluff,
some poison. Use your head and think! Is the music promoting ideas, concepts, or
life styles that are non-biblical?
I love music of all types, I play a number of instruments, in fact I did a lot of DJ work over the years. One of the reasons I stopped DJ'ing was the music just got too out of hand. I would have to fight with parents not to play certain songs. They didn't care as long as the kids were happy, I couldn't do it. The parents didn't know the music. Even when the parent did know the song, what is played on the radio isn't always what is on the recording. Many artist have a "radio play" version, and a CD version. Heads up parents and keep track of what your kids have plugged into the mp3 player. Another thing to keep in mind is whom is your support and money going to. Many artist put out a "pop" song that is meant just for air play, meanwhile the rest of their play list is anything but that style. Years ago this was called the "AM" song, while the rest of the album was "FM". Con-men call this a bait-and-switch. Many artist are very much activist. The artist have political, social, religionist, and moral beliefs they are zealous about. They take the hard earned money you pay out for their music, and funnel it into activities, and causes, that a Christian wouldn't support. If a artist is going to put their beliefs out on the table, front and center, for the world to know, there isn't anything wrong in boy-cottoning their product. Buying their product is akin to supporting their cause, once you know what they support. Another thing is what impression are you giving the world. If you aren't a closet Christian (and you shouldn't be) listening to someone's music is putting your stamp of approval on it. The more of a Christian you are, the more of a role this plays. It's like drinking. In the Bible you read that drinking, for recreation or relaxation, isn't advised for the Christian. But as you mature in your Christian life it becomes more paramount, to the point that when you're a minister, or pastor, you (and your family) shouldn't be drinking at all (unless for medical, sanitary, or special reasons, I'll cover more on alcohol and drugs and another page). This brings me to Mr. Rick Warren of the Purpose Driven church. Certain songs are "signature" songs. When someone mentions them, only one artist comes to mind. Mr. Warren on a world wide telecast walked out, on a huge stage, in front of a mass of people like in a concert, and opened with a line from Jimmy Hendrix. "I always wanted to do that", was the next thing he said. He didn't follow though with how a talented young man died with his head in a toilet, how his songs promoted a drug life style, how fame and money can't give you happiness. Mr. Warren didn't say anything that would discourage someone from following Mr. Hendrix's lifestyle. Why am I making a big deal about this, well it is because... Ever wonder why celebrities (film, music, etc.) do commercials? Because they make BIG bucks. Why would any company pay these people big bucks to support their products? Because sales can double with the celebrities backing. In fact there are laws that say if a celebrity claims to use a product, they have to use it, or at least truly believe in it. Both the company and the star can be fined if they don't. The celebrity is giving their "good" name in backing it. In the Christian world there are those who have reached "star" status. Billy Graham, Jerry Farwell, and Mr. Rick Warren (to name a few). As soon as he (Mr. Warren) quoted Mr. Hendrix he gave his stamp of approval (since he didn't say anything else) to the mans music and lifestyle. I could bet a number of "Christians" dug out old copies of "purple haze" and "are you experienced". And kids who didn't know much, or anything about Jimmy, soon found out a lot more. Not all kids (and adults) would be mature enough to separate the mans life, lyrics, and beliefs from his talent. "Jimmy must be fine", or Rick would never have quoted him, right....? To bring this back home, you don't have to be a Rick Warren (and you don't want too either) to have that influence. To people you know, who look up to you and see you as a Christian, the music, films, and anything you enjoy will have your stamp of approval. In a indirect way (unless your stating otherwise) your telling your family, friends, church members, and people on the streets that you condone these things. The more you know, the stronger the Christian your perceived to be, the more this approval will carry as to what is acceptable, and right, as a Christian. Radical (and peaceful) muslins are quick to point out the immoral music and films "Christian" nations export around the world. They have a point. "Christian" nations export some of the worst immoral garbage the world has ever seen (the muslins consider America a "Christian" nation, at it's heart it may have started that way, but not anymore). If more true Christians would raise their standards in their personal lives, maybe as a group we wouldn't look so much like hypocrites to the unsaved world. To whom God gives much, He expects much. So is listening to non-Christian music fine (?), it sure is. But use your head. Remember to test everything. There is no music that will send you to hell, and there is no music that will save you, only Salvation by way of the death of Jesus can save you. Just because a artist or group thanks God at an awards show doesn't mean they're o.k. either. Even if they evoke the name of Jesus, doesn't make their music right (this is true of Christian music also). What "God" do they mean, when they say Jesus, which "Jesus" do they mean, the true one?... a false one?... their pen pal from Mexico? There are a multitudes of false gods in this world, and any number of people pushing a new age false Jesus, you need to know who God is, and who they mean when they say the name Jesus. Check out What's in a name? and Who is Jesus? if you don't understand what I'm talking about. Use your head, think! Unlike what the world has to say, Christianity is not for the weak minded and slow. A life under Grace is simple at it's roots. Once you are truly saved no one, nothing you do, and no music you listen to can change that. The Holy Spirit takes care of that. Jesus has said that none that are given Him will He lose. But to excel in your Christian life, to defend your faith/beliefs, to receive rewards in Heaven, and just to please your Father in Heaven, requires study (of the Bible), prayer, thought, and commitment. If you committed your whole life to the study of God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit- the Trinity) the amount of knowledge, of God, you could obtain would be just a drop in the ocean. So don't worry you can't learn it all, it won't become boring. You can have the highest IQ in the world and never fathom it all. But you do need to think, and think, and think! Like I wrote before, I did DJ work. I have a rather massive music library, but it's not anywhere near what it once was. As I have learned more, the smaller it has gotten. And even though no music style can claim a clean slate as far as being "good" music, I find my "country" selection has grown in proportion to other styles. But the pickings in all styles is getting fewer and fewer, year by year. I hate to sound like a old foggy but the music today isn't what it was before. I find that I switch stations on the radio a lot also. Here's a radical idea, turn the media off once and awhile. Give your brain some down time just to think. Remember that music is one of the strongest instruments there is for learning. Whether you know it or not lyrics, put to music, with the brain, is like water to a sponge. You may not remember much of the last year you were in school, but I bet you remember most of the lyrics to the top ten songs of that year. Listen to the lyrics, what are they promoting, what story are they telling?...Think. The music style, does it agitate, cause anger, or is it suggestive?...Think. If Jesus plugged a pair of headphones into your player, would you try and switch the music, or change the station?...Think! Lets wrap up.
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Last modified: 12/15/07For a FREE downloadable KJV Bible click here. Opinions or questions: Mail@SimpleBibleAnswers.com
Re:22:18: For I testify unto every man
that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto
these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
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Is
the music causing harm? If it's just "fluff", or "ear candy", I don't see any
great harm. As long as you don't make a steady diet of it. Any thing taken to
excess, even if it's just fluff, isn't good for the body, the human body, or the
body of Christ. To much candy weakens the teeth, to much "ear candy" can weaken
the soul. Make sure your getting substance on a regular basis, either from
a good church, a good Bible study, or at least friends/family who will study
with you. Of course there's nothing wrong in just picking up the Bible if your
by yourself either, but you should be doing that daily, not once a week.