What kinds of music should I listen to? -- Bobby

Music is a very important topic to God. There are over 500 different references to music in the Bible. If it is this important to God, it ought to be important to us. There are several questions we should ask to help us in our proper understanding of music.

1. Who Created Music?

This should be a very simple question to answer for those of us who know Christ as our Savior. God created music. God created all things and He created all things for His glory. Anytime God has created something, Satan has sought to distort it. Therefore, God has put boundaries on things He created. God created the earth in six days and He told Adam to subdue and use the earth. While we should not abuse the earth, God never intended for us to treat the earth as a god in itself. In Romans 1 we are told that there were some who Òworshipped and served the creature more than the creatorÓ. These were the kind of people who were against God. They had taken something God had created and gone outside the boundaries. We are to worship God, not the earth. God created music. Many Bible scholars believe that Lucifer very possibly may have been in charge of the music in heaven. Is it any wonder that Satan has used music to destroy and confuse many lives? It is not in GodÕs character for Him to create something and then become indifferent to how we use what He has created.

2. What is the purpose of music?

Music was created primarily for the praise and glory of God. Most of the references to music in Scripture, relate to music and praising God. Psalm 95:1 ÒO come let us sing unto the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.Ó I Chronicles 16:9 ÒSing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him, talk ye of all His wondrous works.Ó Our music ought to directly give praise to our God. Music should also encourage, uplift and challenge those who know Christ as their Savior. Col. 3:16 says, Òteaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.Ó Here in this passage we find all three of the purposes for music found in Scripture. We are to praise the Lord with our music, teach with our music and admonish with our music. Christian music is never mentioned as an evangelistic tool. While music may be used at times to influence someone to trust Christ, this is not the main purpose. Many times, evangelism, has been the rallying cry for the allowance of worldly sounds, styles, and practices in music. Music was created for God and those who know Him.

3. So, what kind of music should I listen to?

The music we listen to should be music that would not detract from GodÕs glory. When others hear our music, it should give them a proper view of our God. Our God is holy, just, true, righteous, and separate from sin. Our God is love, merciful, tender and kind. Therefore our music should neither blend the lines of separation from the world or promote the violence and hate of the world. I Corinthians 10:31 says, ÒWhether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.Ó Does your music give the right opinion of the excellent character of God?

4. Does the modern day popular Christian music give the right opinion of our God?

My one word answer to this question is - ÒNOÓ. Most of what is promoted today as ÒChristian Contemporary MusicÓ, has compromised GodÕs character and His glory. Several principles from GodÕs Word will guide us in supporting this assessment.

a. We are to bring glory to God, not an artist. (I Corinthians 10:31; Acts 12:21-23)

ÒPerhaps most telling of all, when these five young men perform, the girls start a screaming before they even sing a single note, often drowning out the music. Afterward, those same fans wait for hours to pass through an autograph line so they can snap pictures, get their CDÕs signed and personally deliver tokens of their affection: stuffed animals, personal notes, even home phone numbers. ItÕs like a scene straight out of a VH1 ÔTeen IdolsÕ special.Ó (CCM Magazine, October 2000 in an article about the group, Plus One)

a. We are to changed by the Word of God, not conformed to the world. (II Corinthians 5:17; Romans 12:1-2; I John 2:15-17; II Corinthians 6:17; James 4:4; Ezekiel 22:26)

ÒDespite the best intentions, the artists and the business system behind them often find that the world changes them more than they change the world. We at CCM magazine struggle with these issues. We wonder if we sometimes contribute more to the problem than to the solution.Ó (John Styll, CCM, May Õ96)

ÒDoesnÕt it seem that we might be running against GodÕs intended purposes when we try to make becoming a Christian the exciting, culturally relevant thing to do? And if becoming a Chrisitan suddenly becomes cool, one has to wonder if this is the same Christianity Jesus was talking about.Ó (Jim Fischer in CCM magazine)

c. We are to reverence God and His Word, not treat it lightly. (Isaiah 6:1-8)

The unsaved world should receive an elevated view of our God, not a lower view of our God. Our God is holy not hip. By trying to bring God down to our level, we are cheapening the greatness of God. Our music should revere and honor our great God. It should not undermine His greatness and majesty.

a. The music and artists we listen to should not compromise the doctrine of Scripture. (Romans 16:17)

Music is a crucial issue in all of our lives. There is no way I could adequately discuss this issue completely in this amount of space. I would encourage you to do much more study on this on your own. The following is a list of resources to help you in your study:

1. Email me with your questions/comments at matt.herbster@wilds.org

2. Get a copy of the following books: Measuring the Music by John Makujina; Harmony at Home by Tim Fisher; The Battle for Christian Music by Tim Fisher. You can order these books by calling 1-800-767-4326.

3. Start working on your own Christ-honoring music library.

May the Lord bless you as you seek to honor Him with your music.

Matt Herbster

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