Christian or secular music?!

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Mat211

Guest
#1
Most Christians I know listen to secular music more then christian and I will admit that I listen to some secular music but the music I listen to isnt bad right? I mean if your not praising The Lord with it what's the point of it....the origanal point of music was to Paris and worship God to begin with....

So what's wrong with "secular" music if it has no influence on me?
 

Lyta137

Senior Member
Dec 7, 2013
193
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#2
Many people have different takes on this. Some justify secular music, some condemn it. All I can say is listen to songs that if you were given a chance to sing in Heaven before God, you would sing them. Or if God was to appear next to you whilst listening to a certain type of music, your conscious would still be settled, remembering that we are always in God's presence...the WWJD kinda thing. Its something that helps me personally.
God bless:)
 

shawntc

Senior Member
May 7, 2010
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#3
I listen to a mix of Christian and secular music. My playlist probably has more secular than Christian. I generally like songs with a moderately fast tempo and a strong guitar/electronic feel. That's pretty lacking in contemporary Christian music.

I don't see what's wrong with listening to secular music. In our daily lives, we talk about Christian stuff. But we also talk about stuff that isn't about God or Jesus - such as the weather, or that cute gal down the street, etc. You don't hear people saying "you should only talk about Christian stuff!" If they did, the world would basically some to a standstill.

Why should music - or any form of entertainment - be treated differently? Yes, Jesus is a lot to sing about. But there are more topics we face in life than Jesus. We also face new jobs, heartbreaks, life changes, falling in love, getting injured, etc. We feel anger and sadness. Even though these could be sung by a secular band, I don't think it makes sense we shouldn't listen to them.

I think we do need to be careful with what we listen to. I won't listen to songs that are overtly sexual. I don't need or want to hear that stuff. I also, generally, don't listen to stuff full of swearing.
 

starfield

Senior Member
Jun 13, 2009
3,393
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#4
Secular music, produced by non-believers, are typically geared towards lust, self-gratification, all sorts of immorality, and don't glorify God. So why should people who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit listen to such?
 
Oct 15, 2013
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#5
The Christian music industry is far and away worse on many fronts, first of all the music is of worse quality, second of all they are making money off of God, which is wrong, and third they copy secular music to make that money and draw more people in. I would much rather listen to secular than listen to Christian music where they are using what is supposedly supposed to be worship music to make money. Christian music is just big business which people fall for.
 
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Mat211

Guest
#6
The reason that christian bands copy the secular music styles is to draw non-believers to their music and maybe get an impact off of it

I do agree that alot if them squander of Gods Idea of worship but there r some that God gave them that gift for a specific reason and not only are they makeing money but they may also be ginving it to the Lord which in time the Bible says will be a greater gift in heaven for them
 
Jan 6, 2014
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#7
secular music isnt bad as long as it carries a sense of wisdom, real life situations, and other meaningfull things. but we lack music like this in our society. All u hear is sex, money, drugs, women and so called 'love' which is merely an infatuation. (things of the world).
 

just_monicat

Senior Member
Jan 1, 2014
1,284
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#8
i won't even attempt to suggest that what works for me is what everyone else should copy. but this is just me.

music is a huge part of my life, and and i have had a difficult time finding what is right for me. while i was a christian for many years, i would say that of what i listened to, 99 percent secular and 1 percent christian. several years ago, i went through a bit of a crisis, in my personal life and spiritually, and you might say, redefined and rededicated myself to him. and on the other side of that, i realized that i was denying a conviction that i needed to be obedient in, so things needed to change. i was also denying that i could actually listen to some of the music i enjoyed and not be negatively impacted by it, if even subtly.

first off, the proportions changed a great deal, and much of what WAS acceptable in the secular realm went out the window. prayer and listening for His guidance, also seeking His word is how i found that balance for me, and as a result, sometimes i hardly listen to any secular music, but at other times, i listen to about 1/4 - 1/3 secular, and 3/4 - 2/3 christian music.

also, there is a lot of music that i am very attracted to, but just isn't ok for me to listen to. what also helped me to resolve the issue is a developed a test that i would give myself to help ascertain whether it was ok for me:

if jesus christ was sitting next to me in this chair, would i still be listening to this?
if a non christian friend was sitting next to me, would i still be listening to this (because i would be concerned about my testimony)?
does this music drive me, lead me, encourage me to do or think thinks that aren't christ-like?

this may be a horrible example, but i think of my christian music like i think of my regular, every diet of food. i try to eat mostly what promotes my health and well being. i think of my secular music as the food that doesn't necessarily promote health, but doesn't cause me a health crisis, like a brownie.

the stuff that i referr to as "pleasant, enjoyable, fun, but not ok for me because i don't want those messages and thoughts marinating in my brain, popping up in my thoughts or contributing/creating of insensitivity in my life about certain topics or things" -- i just have to avoid. i think of it as the same thing as adding a few ounces of antifreeze to my water bottle. i doesn't kill you immediately, but it sure messes you up for awhile and a steady diet of such WOULD kill you. i try to listen to that conviction and just leave it out.

also, i should point out that some of the stuff i used to listen to that was in the "ok" secular music category, i have later been convicted about it, and avoid it now.

finally, i also try to avoid listening to radio stations in which i will hear lots of new, questionable music, as it just creates more problems for me. i tend to listen to a lot of songza-type apps/sites that allow me to choose genres, or create my own playlists, and listen to christian radio stations. full that the secular music i do listen to doesn't corrupt or take away from my spiritual walk or mindset, the opposite is true about christian music. it effortlessly puts scripture in my head, worshipful notions in my heart and mind, and helps me to

"...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." phil 4:8

hope that helps. :)
 
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nl

Senior Member
Jun 26, 2011
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#9
Not all classical music is the same. Neither is all Christian or secular music the same. I would pick music based upon the need.

Music often helps me to pray.

Music of my youth (1970's) helps me to pray for the lost souls in my generation but I can only take it in small doses. Some of the music sounds like lost souls looking for truth, justice, righteousness, purpose, meaning and I can pray that they will find it. Other music seems to promote fornication and pride and I can pray against that.

Poor Christian music with formula patterns and bad doctrine can tempt me to depression so I either avoid it or use it to pray for greater spiritual vitality in the churches.

If you want to pray for ethnic groups in Europe or Asia or elsewhere, then play appropriate ethnic music.

If you can discern the good and evil well, then you can deal better with whatever the music contains.

Don't forget to sing yourself and to sing Psalms.

These Scriptures are applicable:

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19)

But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14)

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. (James 5:13)
 

kingerik

Senior Member
Sep 25, 2013
260
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#10
Most Christians I know listen to secular music more then christian and I will admit that I listen to some secular music but the music I listen to isnt bad right? I mean if your not praising The Lord with it what's the point of it....the origanal point of music was to Paris and worship God to begin with....

So what's wrong with "secular" music if it has no influence on me?

It depends entirely on the message. I listen to classical, Instrumental and such, it depends on the message and whether it is contrary to what the Bible teaches. People are too deep about. I do not worship 24/7, I think him all during the day and I praise him and thank him, but I do not stay in worship 24/7. I don't think anyone worships 24/7. There are days when I love instrumental music or a song with a biblical or message contrary to the bible.
 
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SkilletPanhead

Guest
#11
It's not necessarily what you're listening to, but why you're listening to it. I as well listen to secular music and I like it. I like the guitar solo that one guy does at the end of this one song. But do I like the negative message? Absolutely not.

This goes for Christian bands as well. Since my username is SkilletPanhead, you can see I like the band Skillet. I'll have to admit though I sometimes listen to some of their songs because it sounds cool and I can forget all about the message they're trying to say. Bands like TobyMac, Family Force 5, NEEDTOBREATHE, and RED. They have cool music that can lead you into it. There are even many Atheists who enjoy Family Force 5 because of the music, but hate the message.

Ultimately, it's just why you're listening to something
 
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SkilletPanhead

Guest
#12
The Christian music industry is far and away worse on many fronts, first of all the music is of worse quality, second of all they are making money off of God, which is wrong, and third they copy secular music to make that money and draw more people in. I would much rather listen to secular than listen to Christian music where they are using what is supposedly supposed to be worship music to make money. Christian music is just big business which people fall for.
If that really were the case with the business and stuff like that, they should make a secular band and not a Christian band. There are many, many, many Atheists out there now at least in the USA and they love bands like One Direction, Metallica, Linkin Park, Imagine Dragons and many more, including all of the rappers everywhere. There are more people out there that enjoy those bands than Christian bands, which means more fame and fortune. Christian bands may have similar music to secular, but by pulling it out of the bad secular ones, we feel more comfortable listening to it. And whatever the intention of forming their bands, there are many firm believers of God through the music, which is the main topic anyway. I do understand what you're getting at, though. It's possible people can just take money etc., but assumptions aren't so great.
 
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Nautilus

Senior Member
Jun 29, 2012
6,488
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#13
There are also many many christians who love bands like Metallica, Linkin Park, and Imagine Dragons as well. And BleedGreenBlue had a good point. Outside of the few christian bands signed to major labels(Skillet, maybe others) The quality as a whole is lacking.
 
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Mat211

Guest
#14
I disagree! The majority of the Christian bands I listen have just as good quality as any secular.....it all depends on the record company :) like Tooth & Nail records personally I think they have the best bands and quality :)
 
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mkcexpo

Guest
#15
First, im not sure what you mean by "secular" music, like music that isn't about god? if so, you are talking about a lot of music that isn't "bad" or vulgar, like today's music.
 
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abbiejean

Guest
#16
When I listen to music, I consider two things. One, what does it do to my spirit and heart? Second, does it glorify God, give Him praise, lift Him up?

I'm in the world, but I don't have to be like the world. Not easy at times. I just want to be like Jesus. I want my heart and my spirit to be encouraged and edified in Him.

I consider music a ministry and I cannot count the times I've been blessed deep in my heart, my spirit after listening to a song or a chorus. I like music, enjoy instrumental music. Have favorites.

Bible says we seek out our own (I am accountable for self, for the choices I've made and will make) salvation with fear and trembling. I know what I gotta do and I've purposed in my heart...heaven is gonna be my final home.
 
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IAmAlive

Guest
#17
Most Christians I know listen to secular music more then christian and I will admit that I listen to some secular music but the music I listen to isnt bad right? I mean if your not praising The Lord with it what's the point of it....the origanal point of music was to Paris and worship God to begin with....

So what's wrong with "secular" music if it has no influence on me?
Matt, this YouTube video could be the answer you're looking for.

It brought a whole lot of sense to me on this topic when I was asking the same question you're asking right now.

Is "Secular" Music Evil? || Jefferson Bethke - YouTube