Music has always been a form of emotional expression for me, at the same time I am now aware I have to be careful what I put into my body, including the music I listen to. I have listened to music of all genres (except heavy metal, not my thing in any form). I find solace in immersing myself in music, often playing it loudly to clear my mind. People close to me usually notice that about me.
It wasn’t until a few years after my son was born that I realized not all music was beneficial for my spiritual and mental well-being. It wasn’t always clearing my mind, it was putting things into my mind that were not good, right, or true without me even realizing it. Maybe even darkened the good thoughts with ones that shouldn’t be there in the first place.
Consider this: many people, perhaps even yourself, only listen to music that validates their pain and encourages sinful behavior and acceptance of a life that isn’t holy. Does this mean that I think people should stop listening to secular music? Not necessarily - it does, however, require a level of spiritual maturity to continue to walk in alignment with the Lord.
The constant indulgence of outside influences like music, television, and social media can subtly shape our thoughts, values, and beliefs, ultimately impacting our relationship with God, whether positively or negatively. If you consistently tune in to music that glorifies drugs/alcohol, sex, disrespect, whatever the sin, it is bound to have an impact on your mindset and has the potential to affect your connection with God. We live in a world where acceptance of questionable content is the norm and widely accepted, so much so that we don’t even question and overlook the very real effect these influences have on our spiritual lives.
The fact is we seldom consider how something like a simple song could influence our thoughts or life. It's easy to become desensitized to the subtle messages conveyed through music or other forms of media, leading us to compromise our principles without even realizing it. Thus, maintaining awareness of how external influences shape our spiritual journey is crucial in preserving a strong connection with God amidst a culture that embraces questionable norms without hesitation.
We digest so many things every day without even thinking about it’s influence. We must remember that the spiritual realm, both good and evil, surrounds us. It is how this world was created and it is also how humanity fell. Just because we don’t see something, doesn’t mean it isn’t there. And just because something is acceptable in society, doesn’t mean it isn’t a negative influence. Popularity doesn’t make something pure. It doesn’t mean it is good. In actuality, maybe the more popular and influential something is, the more we should analyze it for its appropriateness before we embrace it.
My reflection on this was all sparked after listening to the beautiful worship songs at church this morning and pondering on the line “I believe in the power of a Gospel still makes the broken whole,” from I Believe. I do believe that.
Let’s look at it this way, if your heart is in pieces, giving it away without first restoring it won't bring healing. You must heal through Jesus. It’s similar to when a person is suffering from chronic pain and takes a painkiller. It is just a mask. Or you have a bad day and can’t wait to pour that drink. Neither scenario fixes the actual pain or alleviates the stress, it covers it up. It gives us a perception that is not reality. It makes for a good song, sure. Right now as I type these words, the song Painkiller by Warren Zeiders comes to mind. I like the song, I listen to the song. Nonetheless, even though the song’s lyrics are catchy and I have it on a playlist, I am aware of the toxic themes it portrays and that what he is describing is not something to fool around with. Accepting that we are “bad” and wanting someone or something to cover that up, isn’t going to make us better. Another person, a drink, a drug, an unnecessary spend of some sort - none of that - will take away your demons or your wounds. Seeking refuge in worldly comforts will not resolve our inner struggles. We see so many people with addictions and in broken relationships due to this.
The lyrics “watch our devils disappear” from this song stand out to me at this moment. Doing as he says in the lines preceding that is not going to make any demons one is fighting disappear, it will only darken the visibility to see them. That’s what the devil wants, he desires for our sin to be so common, that we are unable to recognize it. He uses our pride and attacks us from the inside. Even though something sounds good in a song, without spiritual maturity we will listen to it and connect to it on a level that can become toxic in our lives.
Before surrendering to Jesus, despite God's guidance to allow time for healing, many of us carry wounds from past relationships that require attention and hop right into another relationship. Think about a wound to the flesh, you can just slap a Band-Aid on it without cleaning it because that isn’t what is going to make it better, it is going to get infected. You must wash it and clean it first, maybe even apply an ointment, then put the Band-Aid on it. At some point, you have to let it get air and breathe. Even then it might need some more care or another bandage, either way, it may be tender for some time before the skin is back to the state it was before the injury. That’s what I mean here with our relationships and what the song above mentions. Instead of seeking spiritual healing, we hastily apply temporary fixes that only mask the pain, leaving the wounds vulnerable to infection. We find ourselves moving from one relationship to another, merely covering up the hurt without truly addressing it. Consequently, we wonder why our lives bear the scars of emotional turmoil. Neglecting to prioritize Jesus in our relationships leads us down a path of insecurity and heartache. Without His guidance, we invite jealousy and distrust into our lives, resulting in fractured relationships void of trust. It's a pattern that goes beyond romantic connections and shows up in various aspects of our lives. That’s what this song is encouraging. It doesn’t mean it isn’t right to listen to it, it’s just a matter of recognition.
Our culture has become desensitized to this and gradually accepted things that were once considered rare or unacceptable as common or normal. And we Christians, aren’t a common people. This normalization of behaviors or attitudes, particularly concerning matters of character and morality, poses significant dangers.
As Christians, we aren't called to conform to societal norms but to uphold biblical principles. We all enjoy some good sing-alongs - today for my little boy and I we jammed out to many songs, the last two of the evening were She Drives Me Crazy followed by Colder Weather. Told you, we like a good variety. While enjoying a diverse range of music can be enriching, it's essential to remain vigilant about its influence on our spiritual journey.
If you are a mature Christian, some non-Christian music may be acceptable. I am going to use the AMP translation of 1 Corinthians 6:12 here: “Everything is permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial. Everything is permissible for me, but I will not be enslaved by anything [and brought under its power, allowing it to control me].” Reflecting on this verse, we're reminded that while everything may be permissible, not all things are beneficial or edifying.
I encourage you to pay attention and be in tune ;) to any effect it has, discerning whether it aligns with godly principles or if it fills your mind with ungodly themes. Ultimately, consuming music that promotes sin will undoubtedly affect your spiritual journey, relationship with God, and pursuit of sanctification.
As I wrap this up, I’m reminded that I have intended to pair each blog post with a song on here, I just haven’t taken the time to figure it out - going to try it below, I will figure out a better layout soon. 😏
