In today' article I'm going to be covering the topic of music. Now I'd like to state beforehand that I already have made a post on music and the things that I have covered there included Is it ok to use instruments in modern worship, Is listening to worldly music ok for a Christian, and is dancing a sin? If you haven't already you just might want to click on the link at the bottom of the page to see that article in particular. For this article on Music I want to cover additional sub-topics including are drums an ungodly instrument? Should we listen to Christian bands that have apostatized? And I also want to go more in-depth on the topic of should believers listen to secular songs. With all that said let's get started.
Are Drums a Devil's instrument?
Some time ago (I think a few years), some fellow Christians that I've know for a long time were also doing some research on music and from there research dabbled with the idea that drums may not be something that Christians should be listening to. Why did they consider that it might be wrong? Well, I can think of a few reasons. For one, drums are heavily used in voodoo/pagan practices and were beaten when parents offered their children to the god Molech to drown out their screams, second they are one of the most emphasized instruments in rock/heavy metal bands.
So are drums a forbidden instrument to Christians? Not so, while we do see drums used by the ungodly in their pagan rituals and worldly entertainment this is not what the drums were created for. What do I mean? While yes there are some things that we should avoid such as pagan holidays, drums on the other hand wasn't an instrument created for the express purpose of worshiping devils, and there fore Christians can use and listen to them. In Exodus 15:20, 1Sam 10:5, Psa 149:3, 150:4, we see examples of the Tabret or Timbrel used in a positive sense, therefore it's not a sin to use them. So what is the Tabret or Timbrel? Well according to the strong's hebrew and greek dictionary in these verses it is a tamborine which is a type of drum. Furthermore this same dictionary translates tabret (to'-feth, H8608) in Job 17:6 as a smiting; now which other instrument do you smite besides a drum?
Using Christian Discernment On Secular Songs
In this section I wanted to share with the reader a compilation of some of the songs that I listened to in my former years and give bible verses to show why I think we as believers shouldn't listen to these particular songs anymore. Now I'm not saying that all secular music is bad (i.e some love songs could still be appropriate for Christians to listen to), however much of what the world listens to is highly esteemed among men and therefore an abomination to God (Luk 16:15). When singing along with these songs consider what you are saying as every idle word man shall speak he shall give an account thereof in the day of judgment (Mat 12:36). We as christians are told not to be conformed to the world (Rom 12:2), and that we are to live for him who died for us and rose again (2 Cor 5:15), we are to count the cost (Luk 14:28), and deny ourselves (Mar 8:34), when we are born again scripture calls us a new creature, the old is passed away (2 Cor 5:17). With all that said lets get into some of my previously favorite songs.
Amen, I'm alive by nickleback. This used to be the first song on my playlist, the part about the fireflies being our only light in paradise seems like Idolatry, seeing as Christ is the light of New Jerusalem (Rev 21:23). Waiting for the world to change by John Mayer, has Christmas seen in a positive sense, (see my article on Christmas for more info). Boulevard of Broken Dreams by green day, Christians can't sing it because it's a lie, we don't walk alone (Heb 13:5). Paralyzer by finger eleven, contains language and promiscuity (Pro 6:25). Then there's Misery Business by Paramore, she takes God name in vain (Exo 20:7), I also listened to Miss you by blink 182 which in addition to having dark intro lyrics also contains homosexuality in the official video, as does firework by Katy Perry (2 Cor 6:14, Rom 1:26-27).
Another song that I liked relatively briefly was Eminem and Rihanna's Love the way you lie, what does scripture say about loving lies (Rev 22:15). At first glance you wouldn't think Love story by Talor swift wasn't an sinful song but he is courting her against her fathers wishes (2 Tim 3:2); the same principle applies to Rude by Magic! One of my favorite bands as a teenager/young adult was all american rejects, the songs i listened to were dirty little secret, there is nothing hid that shall not be made known (Mat 10:26). Although maybe not the best examples songs such as Can't take it and it ends tonight could be classified as songs sung with the emotion of anger. Music genres such as rap and death metal are primarily songs sung with anger and what does scripture teach us about anger and wrath (Pro 16:32, Pro 22:24-25, Ecc 7:9, Jam 1:20). and gives you hell, we are to bless and curse not (Rom 12:14). There's this one song called Airplanes by B.o.B, it speaks of pretending that airplanes are shooting stars aka wishing upon a star which is quite similar to the worshiping of the hosts of heaven that is condemned all throughout scripture (Deu 17:3, 2 Kin 17:16, Jer 8:2).
The Reason by Hoobastank is basically about a guy worshiping/changing for a girl he likes, aka idolatry (Mat 10:37). The song Royals seems to have a feminist vibe to it aka the woman usurping authority over the man which goes contrary to 1 Tim 2:12. Another song that I had on my playlist at one point in time was U +Ur hand by p!nk it contains foul language, drinking and more (Rom 3:14, Eph 5:18). Pop star Kesha had a song called tik tok which was all about drinking (Pro 20:1), and yet another song that I liked listening too in my younger days was your beautiful by James blunt; it has the f-bomb in it as well as speaking of being high which goes against 1Th 5:6.
What does Honky tonk Badonkadonk by Trace Adkins and all about that bass by Meghan Trainor have in common it all about the lust of the flesh which is not of the Father (1Jn 2:16).halo by Beyonce is a song essentially deifying a human (Mat 10:37). Nickleback's I wanna be a rock star is all about covetousness, the desire to be rich, drugs, and whoredom (Luk 12:15, 1Tim 6:10, Hos 4:11), fergalicious by fergie is lascivious (Mark 7:22-23, Eph 4:19), and Big Girls Don't Cry involves chambering (Rom 13:13). I used to like listening to a song called wonderful by Everclear but the character of the song says that some days he hates every one and everything and that he wants things to be like they used to be (Gal 5:20, Ecc 7:10), i'm yours by Jason Mraz misuses the word damn and God-forsaken, this is corrupt communication (Eph 4:29).
When listening to Coldplay's Viva la vida I thought it said saint Peter will call my name but it says won't call my name therefore not appropriate for Christians to sing. Savin me by nickle back is another song that affirms one isn't making it to heaven and like the Reason song, worships a woman because it states all i need is you. Alanis Morrisette's Head Over Feet wouldn't be that bad of a song if there wasn't that best friend with benefits part (Tit 3:3). Roxette's Listen to Your Heart has very lovely music but you should not listen to your heart (Pro 28:26, Jer 17:9). Nobody's Home by Avril Lavigne contains lyrics that indicates that she's singing about a lost person and is a rather depressing song. Last Kiss by pearl jam is rather depressing as well. Carly Rae Jepsen's Call me Maybe says I'd trade my soul for a wish, what shall it profit (Mar 8:36-37)?. La Roux's Bulletproof seems to me to be about whoredom (Ezek 16:15, Ezek 16:25-42). I didn't know this until making this article but Sugar, Were Goin Down by Fallout Boy is a song with chambering and voyeurism (Mat 5:28).
The Great Escape by Boys like Girls, is a song supporting drunk driving (Rom 13:1-4, Gal 5:21). Through Glass by Stone Sour wouldn't be a bad song if it didn't have the one instance of taking God's name in vain near the beginning (Psa 139:20). Whataya want from me by P!nk, misuse of the word damn (Pro 10:19). Coming Home by Dirty Money also contains profanity and for a christian this world is not our home (Heb 11:13). There is also a misuse of the word damn in the song Ironic by Alanis Morissette. Absolutely (story of a girl) by nine days has the s-word in it, he that keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles (pro 21:23).
As with some other songs I have heard the kid-friendly version of popular songs, I was unaware that Boom Boom Pow by black eyed peas contained the s-word so many times. Rihanna's Only Girl (in the world) is a very sexualized song (Eph 5:12). You Found Me by The Fray say that God was smoking a cigarette, but we know there is no iniquity with God (2Ch 19:7). Your Last Day by Nickleback has oaths (Jam 5:12).
To sum up this section I just want to say that I'm not trying to be like the super conservatives in the movie footloose by saying all non-christian music is sinful but I want my audience to judge all things (1Co 2:15) and cleave to the good and abhor the evil (Rom 12:9). After all, It's better to hear the rebuke of the wise that to hear the song of fools (Ecc 7:5).
What About CCM Artist?
Now that I have covered Non-Christian music I wanted to wrap this post up by making a couple points to consider when listening to Christian music.
Point #1- Just because a song is labeled christian doesn't mean that it is accurately depicting biblical truths. Here is a small sample of what I mean; Your love Never fails by Jesus Culture has the lyrics nothing can separate, even if i run away. Check out my Admonition post for more info. Then there's
Fix My Eyes by for King and Country is an upbeat song but I have an issue when it comes to the lyric the road less traveled is hard to walk, it's obviously referencing Mat 7:14 many translations say the way is hard but the KJV says narrow. Jesus says that his yoke is easy and burden is light (Mat 11:30). I bet you though Deck the Halls was a Christian song. No it's a Christmas song aka a song about Paganism hence the "deck the halls with boughs of holly" and "See the blazing Yule before us".
* Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy, the last line contains the word charms (see reference below for more Christian songs that are rated 1 to 4 stars).
Point # 2- It also couldn't hurt to be aware of the beliefs of professing christian bands when deciding on whether or not to listen to their songs because whether or not you realize it you are promoting them when your buy their CD's or watch their video's on youtube; if other's hear you singing their music it's possible that they may follow them and may be influenced by their lies. Example: I used to love listening to Oceans by Hillsong united but my desire to listen to that song really dampened once I found out that some of their leaders will profess either Jesus isn't the only way, that the genesis account isn't true, that homosexuality isn't a sin, etc.
Another example is Lauren Daigle, she sing some very lovely songs such as First, O Lord, and Come Alive but her lukewarm stance on homosexuality and the fact that she has to at least some degree a problem with being be referenced as a Christian artist makes me somewhat hesitant to listen to her music (1Pet 4:16).
In conclusion Drums are an ok instrument to play and listen to, I believe some secular songs are ok to listen to in moderation but one must exercise discernment as to which songs are appropriate, and finally one should also use discretion when even listening to CCM artist because Jesus warns us of wolves in sheep's clothing (Mat 7:15) and CCM artist have the perfect platform to spread false ideology & doctrine.
Refrences:
Drums
*Christian songs:
Hillsong apostasized:
Lauren Daigle
My Other Post on Music:
No comments:
Post a Comment