Listening to secular music has always been a topic of interest and debate within the Christian community. Some fundamentalists would argue that secular music should be abstained from and one should only listen to music that edifies God. I understand that argument because Lucifer was the angel of music and you're stepping into his territory when you listen to worldly tunes. Most secular music that is on the radio today is soaked in sinful pastimes and even as a feminist, I can't bear to listen to most of it. But what about music by Sarah Evans? I think that
she's an amazing country singer with great songs about God as well. The flip side of the coin is that music is a major topic of conversation amongst peers. What's playing on the radio, MTV, and on other sounds waves fills the mouths of listeners from every age group. If you aren't listening to the music, you don't know what's on the minds of your fellow peers and you may be ostracizing yourself socially in a way.
What do you think? Is it okay for Christians to listen to secular music? If so, what tunes are acceptable and which ones aren't?
Comments (49)
I think you can do it if you're careful. I think some people are more influenced by the music that they listen to then other. I try to avoid stuff that has content that's grossly inappropriate. It just depends on the music really.
Went to church for 22 years and never listened to non-secular music. Lucifer was the angel of music? What music did he create?
I listen to whatever I like. Jesus walked in the world. He hung out with real people in real situations. He didn't close himself off in a temple only experiencing Godly people and things and I don't think we should either. Where in the bible is it written that Lucifer is the angel of music? I think I missed that.
@Pcgecko85@xanga - I was just wondering the same thing........ I have never herd of this about Lucifer... I know he was supposed to be one of the most beautiful (and egotistical) angels before God sent him and his followers out.. but I never herd or read anything about him and music..
I listen to Gospel, worship and country music. I am pretty selective of what I listen to tho.
I believe it was Marilyn Manson (tho I could be wrong) who said something along the lines of "For years we have been trying to find a way to get to the Christians. Through music, we can finally do it". (one of the best pastors I ever herd speak said this in his sermon and it has always stuck with me).
For more info on Lucifer and music: http://www.turnbacktogod.com/lucifer-angel-of-music/
@Pcgecko85@xanga - In those 22 years, did anyone ever show you the bible passage that said Satan was the angel of music? The bible really doesn't say anything of the sort.
Music is just like any other gift. We're to use it to glorify God. We also use our speech to glorify God, but we don't think it's wrong to talk about the weather or our jobs, do we? I don't think there's anything wrong with listening to music that isn't explicitly about God. But like our speech - it doesn't necessarily have to be about God, but it definitely shouldn't delight in things that are opposed to him.
Umm, I listen to Slipknot and enjoy it...am I a heretic now?
Hehe, yeah, I don't like Christian worship music a whole lot...so I listen to secular music because they learnt this thing called chord changes. This whole thing seems absent in CCM apparently.
At that though, 80% of my music library is Christian because I appreciate the lyrics a lot.
you haven't really defined exactly what is worldly, secular music and what is non-secular music.
would you classify secular music as music that doesn't DIRECTLY address God, and Christian music as directly addressing God?
how about classical music and folk music? i love them. even though they don't directly address God, and even if they are listened to by both secular and non-secular peoples, they nevertheless inspire me to think about the great, astonishing beauty God has made in the world, and about the many beautiful cultures that have arisen out it - even though Mozart and John Denver, Debussy and Vashti Bunyan aren't being played in some approved Christian radio station. in fact, these artists' songs remind me more of my spirituality more than some Christian pop group on the radio.
what about the song of birds or laughing babies, the sound of water, etc? they don't directly address God either, but they all don't have to - because i believe that the greatest God-given music is music that doesn't have any words at all!
and i certainly don't want to think of all these things as evil.
@Theophilus166@xanga - I wasn't implying that music wasn't a gift of God. Of course it is. While Lucifer was in heaven, the Bible says: "Isa.14:11 – “Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, the
noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover
thee.”
Read more at http://www.turnbacktogod.com/lucifer-angel-of-music/#ixzz0ilr2vbkV
He entertained God with music. When he was cast down from heaven, he didn't lose that ability as God gives us gifts unrepentantly. Turn on the radio and you'll hear the devil all over the soundwaves....
I find the lines have blurred a lot between what is secular and what is Christian in terms of music. I think a lot of what I listen to could be considered secular -- or is promoted outside the Christian music industry -- but is made by Christians. The converse is true, too. There are a lot of really powerful, good songs written by people who are not Christian. I stay away from things I think are offensive, but I don't limit myself to music only made by Christians or popular in the Christian music industry.
Music is great, I listen to many kinds of it.
@EBailey - Really, that article is very poorly written and takes a lot of things out of context to try to make the point that Lucifer was the angel of music. For example, it quotes Job 38:7, which has nothing to do with Lucifer. It also quotes Ezekiel 28, which is a prophecy about the King of Tyre. Most translations have nothing to do with music. In addition, the Isaiah text that was mentioned is a long oracle against the King of Babylon. It's often argued that it's also an oracle against Lucifer. Even if that is the case, a simple mention of 'harps' is not near enough evidence to conclude that Lucifer had some special place as the music leader in heaven.
Really, it's poor biblical study. Did Lucifer have some role in music before he fell? We don't know either way, but there sure isn't enough evidence in scripture to teach that he did.
@modernmelody - Exactly what I was aiming at! Sara Evans is a great example of a woman who sings songs about nonreligious issues but she also sings about God. There are so many great singers and artists who touch on core human issues but that don't mention God in their lyrics. I think listening to that is fine. Listening to lyrics that send negative messages however, one may want to avoid. Even if it isn't for religious purposes but just from a personal conviction of not wanting to promote explicit and degrading lyrics.
This is something that can't be answered
scripturally except to say that if you're making an idol out of it,
then it's sin. I think each person has to pray and decide for
themselves. I do listen to secular music. I think Romans 14 is a good
chapter to apply to this. It's not specifically about music but the
principles can apply.
@Theophilus166@xanga - Perhaps saying that he was an angel of music was overambitious on my behalf. Could you clarify a few things for me? Is one of the jobs of angels to worship God and sing praises to Him?
Secular artists have a message too, and rarely is it explicitly anti-God. That music that IS anti-God (and I've heard some that is) should never be listened to. But let's face it. Secular artists are using the gifts that God has given them, even if they don't acknowledge it. And the simple fact is that, some if not most of the time, they make better quality music than Christian contemporary. I like listening to good music. :)
@EBailey - There's definitely biblical evidence that angels worship God in song. I'm just saying that ascribing some sort of chief musician label to Lucifer specifically really isn't biblical.
I think it's okay to listen to secular music. I mean, I do all the time. I listen to music about adultery, drugs, partying, etc.. but do I do any of those things? no.
I think if you're weak willed and have no self control-- then abstain from it. but seriously-- it's music. I hope no one listens to a song about drugs and automatically has the urge to use.
@LikeaMothToAFlame@xanga - i agree.
I listen to a mixture of secular and Christian music. I'm generally okay with most kinds of music. The only music I absolutely refuse to listen to would be anything degrading towards women, racist, or uses swear words.
Currently on my mp3 player, there are two songs I can think of that I'm breaking my own rules: "I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin-To-Die Rag" by Country Joe and the Fish, and "Bright Lights" by Matchbox Twenty.
At one point in time I refused to listen to any kind of secular music. Period. When I got on the bus at school I would immediately tune out because the students would wanna listen to the popular secular stations. I personally didn't feel right about it. I was raised in a very strict and rigid Pentecostal family. I felt impure just at the thought of listening to music like that.
I still feel the same way for the most part.
Now after living in America for 18 years..its just a bit different. I listen to Christian music whenever I possibly can. I would choose Christian one hundred times over secular. The words are meaningful and listening to it helps me worship God when I'm driving, working out, or even just sitting around. But, I also listen to songs that talk about life or people.. not sure why but I immediately thought about India Arie... some of her songs are just about life. And its positive. I think as long as it does not condone sex and drugs and adultery and other such impure things that the Bible warns us against, then its cool.
Btw, I love reading your posts:)
@llamalima@xanga - if you're 555, then I'm 666
back in the day, any music that wasn't in the form of kyrie was considered satanic. what does that say about today's contemporary "christian music"?
@Pcgecko85@xanga - \m/ I mean....I'm not supposed to do that right? Whoops, I don't take their lyrics seriously, I find them kind of amusing how ignorant they are.