My take on music, secular versus Christian

[cyphercat]

I know how I feel when I pray, read the bible, and fellowship with believers. I know how I feel when I read the bible and read the Psalms and begin praising God in my soul. In my opinion, if music is going to be classified as Christian, it is going to bring about a very similar spirit in me.
I know that when I have this spirit, and i listen to some music, then I am aware that I am leaving that spirit where I was praising God and fellowshipping and enjoying my bible, and I am in an entirely different spirit altogether.

I don't say, "Don't listen to secular music". What I say is that if the spirit it brings about draws you away from that spirit you have when you normally worship God, then it is not Christian.

When I listen to Church hymns, I feel the same spirit that I do when I worship without music. When I hear some of my mom's gospel music, I feel that same spirit.
When I hear loud guitars or rhythmic hip hop music, I do not feel that same spirit.

Your experience may vary. That is simply my experience.

 

[tripsin]

I know how I feel when I pray, read the bible, and fellowship with believers. I know how I feel when I read the bible and read the Psalms and begin praising God in my soul. In my opinion, if music is going to be classified as Christian, it is going to bring about a very similar spirit in me.
I know that when I have this spirit, and i listen to some music, then I am aware that I am leaving that spirit where I was praising God and fellowshipping and enjoying my bible, and I am in an entirely different spirit altogether.

I don't say, "Don't listen to secular music". What I say is that if the spirit it brings about draws you away from that spirit you have when you normally worship God, then it is not Christian.

When I listen to Church hymns, I feel the same spirit that I do when I worship without music. When I hear some of my mom's gospel music, I feel that same spirit.
When I hear loud guitars or rhythmic hip hop music, I do not feel that same spirit.

Your experience may vary. That is simply my experience.

You have made a determination by the 'witness in your spirit' - a sensitive spirit to the things of God - growth in life. This is what we all should be doing. Good for you!

Our churches should not be acting worldly to attract those in the world. Otherwise, they don't see anything different in how they are living. They should see something shinning, fresh, wholesome. They should wonder about it and want the thing that they know is missing in their lives.

 

[Lyta137]

Yeah I can relate to that, however not all 'godly' music is really GODly music if you know what I mean. After quitting listening to secular, way back (which wasn't a bed of roses) I realised that I had to 'filter' the 'godly' music too. Some songs that are called Christian shouldn't even be called that because there is no message or spiritual benefit whatsoever. I have come across enough like that. God bless.

 

[ShanePadayachee]

I totally agree with you....when i listen to Christian music, especially my favourite artist Israel Houghton, my spirit within lifts, I feel free and full of joy and at peace, and in a different world....

particularly when I'm driving to work in the mornings, and the traffics hectic, just playing a gospel song just fills me with joy, and i start to sing and pray as well in the car,,,,what a way to start the day!!

 

[MySavior]

I listen to secular music but yes sometimes it can be bad at the most.
But doesn't the bible say that any music isn't bad?

 

[cyphercat]

You have made a determination by the 'witness in your spirit' - a sensitive spirit to the things of God - growth in life. This is what we all should be doing. Good for you!

Our churches should not be acting worldly to attract those in the world. Otherwise, they don't see anything different in how they are living. They should see something shinning, fresh, wholesome. They should wonder about it and want the thing that they know is missing in their lives.

I appreciate your encouragement.

 

[cyphercat]

I listen to secular music but yes sometimes it can be bad at the most.
But doesn't the bible say that any music isn't bad?

Like I said, listen to what you will.
But I know what spirit I have when I worship God without music.
I know that there is music that gives me that same spirit.
And I know there is music that takes me away from that spirit and puts an entirely different spirit in me.

 

[tripsin]

I listen to secular music but yes sometimes it can be bad at the most.
But doesn't the bible say that any music isn't bad?

As far as secular music goes; can't you hear the evilness in it sometimes? Especially the acid/hard rock or rap with all of it's vulgar, violent connotations?

It is one of those things in the spiritual realm, that when you open yourself to it you are also allowing the door to be opened to demonic influences around you.

"We fight not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities."

 

[cyphercat]

As far as secular music goes; can't you hear the evilness in it sometimes? Especially the acid/hard rock or rap with all of it's vulgar, violent connotations?

It is one of those things in the spiritual realm, that when you open yourself to it you are also allowing the door to be opened to demonic influences around you.

"We fight not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities."

I agree. Take a band like Slayer. What kind of feeling is the music supposed to bring about? What thoughts are going throught he mind of the person who wrote the music? What mood is the music putting you in?

It's a weighty topic. Let us all be guarded in our spirit by the Holy Spirit.

 

[J-Kay-2]

Yeah I can relate to that, however not all 'godly' music is really GODly music if you know what I mean. After quitting listening to secular, way back (which wasn't a bed of roses) I realised that I had to 'filter' the 'godly' music too. Some songs that are called Christian shouldn't even be called that because there is no message or spiritual benefit whatsoever. I have come across enough like that. God bless.

So glad this topic has been brought up. I totally agree. Even on Christian
network many people watch, have had Christian ? music on and it sounds
so awful, we turn it off. I agree with the OP, if it does not cause our spirit
to feel Gods presence, something is wrong with it. You can be sure many
will disagree ~ God bless all for taking a stand for Christ. ~ J-K-2

 

[J-Kay-2]

As far as secular music goes; can't you hear the evilness in it sometimes? Especially the acid/hard rock or rap with all of it's vulgar, violent connotations?

It is one of those things in the spiritual realm, that when you open yourself to it you are also allowing the door to be opened to demonic influences around you.

"We fight not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities."

I agree. And the worse thing is watching a video of that nature.
I have been on YouTube for something, and see a title and when I
checked it out, it was like the loudest demonic shrieking I can't
get out of it fast enough. Seriously, those who think just because
it is done under the guise of Christian, need to be doing a 'spirit'
check...just as you check the oil level in your car, you need to check
the oil in your spirit. If you feel it running low, ask God to change
the oil filter, replace it with new one and put in some clean oil of
the Spirit. Okay, just an analogy. But, it is still same ... keep our
spirit running clean. ~ J-K-2

 

[J-Kay-2]

I appreciate your encouragement.

I appreciate your bringing this topic to the board. God bless you ~

 

[38miles]

It comes back to our convictions I think. I listen to some secular bands but comprised of one or more Christian artists. I like this because they represent us as the salt and light of the world. Christian bands edify the body; Christians playing in secular bands evangelize and chase the commission.

For me, someone like Houghton, because he is out of Joel Olsteen's church, hinders my enjoyment and peace. Olsteen preaches a different gospel. Therefore, as much as I like Israel Houghton's music, and I do, I am too conflicted by his home church and roots tied to a strange sin-is-a-myth-choose-prosperity gospel.

Also Jesus Culture. They have some amazing music and when they first showed up I really found myself moved in my heart and spirit while listening and praising alongside their songs, but when I researched to see that their home and roots are Bethel in CA--a place known for absolute ridiculousness with a special school for spiritual healing, not biblical understanding--I had to shut them down for good.

i would rather listen to secular music than Christian music coming out of false teaching.

 

[ServantStrike]

I listen to secular music but yes sometimes it can be bad at the most.
But doesn't the bible say that any music isn't bad?

Well, it can't all be good can it?

Phillipians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.


If what you're listening to doesn't violate that verse, it's probably okay. The amount of secular music that fits into that bracket is pretty small though. You really need to evaluate every single thing that you listen to and look at the lyrics critically. Look at the artists too. Are they preaching another gospel than the one which you have received?

I agree. And the worse thing is watching a video of that nature.
I have been on YouTube for something, and see a title and when I
checked it out, it was like the loudest demonic shrieking I can't
get out of it fast enough. Seriously, those who think just because
it is done under the guise of Christian, need to be doing a 'spirit'
check...just as you check the oil level in your car, you need to check
the oil in your spirit. If you feel it running low, ask God to change
the oil filter, replace it with new one and put in some clean oil of
the Spirit. Okay, just an analogy. But, it is still same ... keep our
spirit running clean. ~ J-K-2

Spiritually empty messages are the hallmarks of faux Christian music. I've seen them across all genres.

Going to have to disagree with you on the idea that just because the vocals are aggressive music is demonic. Some of us enjoy it, and some of it legitimately praises God.

 

[J-Kay-2]

It comes back to our convictions I think.

i would rather listen to secular music than Christian music coming out of false teaching.

Wow, I appreciate your message 100%. I have not heard the 2 groups you speak
of, but I sure do know the one Ministry you speak of, and you hit the nail on the head.
I don't know about the one in CA. But, I agree with you regarding what spirit comes
with it.

Personally I still love some secular music, and do not totally turn it off, unless it is
offensive or of sexual nature. I am older than most of you and there are some songs
I used to listen to in the 50's and 60's, and never realized how nasty the words were.
One day I had an oldies station on and I thought "Oh, my gosh." I never saw it that
way, back in my younger day.

I think it is more important to keep our focus on Jesus, and that is My Opinion.
I still try to listen to people like Michael Bolton and other favorites, but my spirit
gets convicted and I have to turn it off. It is just the focus on Christ for me, that
I must be concerned about.

God bless this topic ~ J-K-2

 

[Lyta137]

Sadly, it looks like some of our gospel singers are singing what the 'people' want and not what 'He' wants.

 

[secularhermit]

Sadly, it looks like some of our gospel singers are singing what the 'people' want and not what 'He' wants.

That reminded me many who grew and glowed inside the Church and, later on, they failed in drug abuse and selfindulgence (Those names are no named here).

 

[MySavior]

As far as secular music goes; can't you hear the evilness in it sometimes? Especially the acid/hard rock or rap with all of it's vulgar, violent connotations?

It is one of those things in the spiritual realm, that when you open yourself to it you are also allowing the door to be opened to demonic influences around you.

"We fight not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities."

there is evilness in metal sometimes.
rap is worst music to me because there talking bout killing and bein in a gang.

 

[MySavior]

Well, it can't all be good can it?

Phillipians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.


If what you're listening to doesn't violate that verse, it's probably okay. The amount of secular music that fits into that bracket is pretty small though. You really need to evaluate every single thing that you listen to and look at the lyrics critically. Look at the artists too. Are they preaching another gospel than the one which you have received?





Spiritually empty messages are the hallmarks of faux Christian music. I've seen them across all genres.

Going to have to disagree with you on the idea that just because the vocals are aggressive music is demonic. Some of us enjoy it, and some of it legitimately praises God.

sometimes it can be good n sometimes it cant

 

[Robin]

Hi Cyphercat, Just to say I know what you mean. Had similar conversation with my friend not long ago. Some of the stuff I would have listened to before I became a christian I discovered I couldn't really listen to any more as it made me feel uncomfortable. Christian music I find is so uplifting and energising. I don't feel the same when listening to secular stuff.