Being Saved and Secular music

[Godfearingwoman]

If you are saved is it alright to listen to secular music? Does secular music also include intrumental like Jazz? Just need to know.

[flyingsum0]

Welcome to the CF forums Sister!

Well my radio is tuned to the local Christian channel most of the time cause quite frankly Christian music makes me happy and upbeat. But I listen to my share of secular music ESPECIALLY jazz :)

Wheter or not this is right or wrong I have no idea, but I figure when Im standing at the gates of Heaven explaining my actions in life, the 8 million burritos with extra cheese will probably come up way before the fact that I liked to listen to Bruce Sprinsteen and Duke Ellington...

[MaidforHim]

I like Christian music most, but I see nothing wrong with instrumental music, Christian or secular. A person can tell if a song brings them down or leaves them with a negative feeling, if that happens I change the channel.

Some secular music seems OK to me, there are still some pure simple plain old love songs that seem ok, or just fun or silly songs that aren't about anything ungodly or offensive.

However, I feel like I have to wade through so much junk, filthy songs or songs with bad language... even some of the ads are gross so I don't listen to secular radio stations except for a couple of oldie stations that are clean.

Just bugs me.

[traderdave]

When I feel like it, I play some of my older favorites from the 70's & 80's, but I enjoy modern worship the most. I always get a lift when I listen to Christian music of all types. Like MaidforHim said, just be sensitive to what the secular stuff does to your mind & emotions. Too much of it can bring you down.

[jsimms615]

If you are saved is it alright to listen to secular music? Does secular music also include intrumental like Jazz? Just need to know.
I think it is okay to listen to some secular music, but much of it exalts the flesh and sinful desires and should be avoided.

[twistedsketch]

It depends on the content of the song.

[bithiah2]

i agree with what the others say (#5 & #6), it depends on the contents of the song. what are they singing about? can you do the things they are singing about and still please God? the old songs were not like what is out today, now they sing about EVERYTHING, Too Much Information for me!
i went to lyricpig.com to look, and could not believe what i was reading. i like all kinds of music but when i am going through something, i turn it off and listen to the Word only. so you have to be led by God in all things.
Proverbs 3:5-6, ask God to lead you and He will let you know for himself, what you need to do.
blessings,
bithiah2

[VCViking]

It depends on the content of the song.



:thumbsup:

[Artificial Intelligence]

Yeah, some bands/songs are really bad. I mean you need to understand, Satan used to be the guy in charge of worship in heaven before he fell. I think many songs made by man reflect this power he has, in that he gives them the power to create songs to lure people away from God. Not all songwriters though, but some.

Songs are powerful, they reach deeply into the heart and mind. Also, many dongs are very repetitive, you think the words in your head over and over, this is how many actual brain washing techniques are administered. Say a lie over and over enough the mind starts to believe that lie. So yes, music can be damaging, not all secular music is good to listen to.

There is some though, I kinda like jazz too, I listen to a station here now and then, some of it is really uplifting, some of it sux though (I mean bad influence), depends who is playing I guess, I most listen to other stuff though. I used to listen to a lot of bad bands when I was a teen, had a rough time as a teen as well, eventually I quit listening to secular music entirely for about ten years, it really helped me stay focused and back on track from there on. I listen to some now, but I’m more choosy with what I listen to.

[flod logic]

Here's (part of) my problem with the argument that christians should only listen to christian music...if you take that to its logical conclusion, there are tons of christians out there who should only be reading "christian" books, looking at "christian" paintings, attending "christian" plays, taking "christian" pictures, etc.
If music necessarily has to be about God in order to be considered good (or at least preferable to non-christian music -- whatever that is, exactly), then you'd better be willing to extend that to ALL forms of artistic expression. And I don't see that happening.

[flod logic]

I mean you need to understand, Satan used to be the guy in charge of worship in heaven before he fell.

Biblical reference, please?

Also, many dongs are very repetitive, you think the words in your head over and over

I could say the same thing about many popular christian pop/rock songs I hear on christian radio. A lot of them seem to almost take God's name in vain with their trite, repetitive usage.

[whateveristrue]

Sure, if the music is good... I'd listen to it. But keep in mind... some lyrics are straight out of the pit of hell, and are meant to corrupt you.

[Artificial Intelligence]

Not specifically in black and white, but it is an educated guess from an extrapolation of the facts presented of what we know of him from scriptures. Lucifer was a very special angel, some surmise that he could have been chief of all angels before the fall. I’m usually split between that or being chief musician in regards to what he was. I think the bible does not specifically say because people would take that info and build religions around it, at least anyone without clear conscience. But he was up there doing something as a leader of some sort, if not the most important angel of the time, which would only make his initial fall even more so great.
http://www.gotquestions.org/Satan-music.html

[Artificial Intelligence]

I could say the same thing about many popular christian pop/rock songs I hear on christian radio. A lot of them seem to almost take God's name in vain with their trite, repetitive usage.Ehhhh… the bible says to wash ones mind in the scriptures, I don’t see what is wrong with doing so with Christian music if it is scriptural and not based on worldly ideas such as sex, drugs, murder etc…. Your generalized rebuke of ["a lot of them"] Christian music is apparently a misinformed position.

[flyingsum0]

The way I figure it, my beliefs and faith in the Lord is strong enough that I dont worrry about secular music, books, TV etc, changing anything in me.

90% Im not paying attention anyway...human's use 10% of their brains...meatheads use 2.7%. But the 2.7% of my brain that does function is focused on God, Wife, food, working out and wrestling...secular music, TV and books really dont rank in that equation...

The way I see it, if your worried about your faith being swayed or your beliefs being changed then dont listen to it...Christian music most of the time is better anyway, plus it honors God.

[AllTalkNoAction]

See what you think of this:-
Sellin yer soul to Rock 'n' Roll. (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3445936288662615212&q=sold+their+souls+for+rock+and+roll)

3 more parts here. (http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=sold+their+souls+for+rock+and+roll&num=10&so=0&start=0)

[RebeccaF]

I always let my conscience guide me. If I don't feel right about a book or song, then I take that seriously and avoid it. I think God gives us wisdom and leads us, we just need to obey what we know inside. That said, lately it's become moot because all I listen to is classical, jazz and some praise music. I must be getting older, I like things more mellow these days. :D

[*Starlight*]

Saved from what? Music? :P

I think that if you like some music, you should listen to it. :)

[PhantomTorment]

Well as it's plain to see I have a Godsmack banner in my signature, so obviously I have no problem listening to secular music. I think it's a matter of personal choice...I know that with some people, listening to secular music will completely drag them down. But for others like myself I have absolutely no problem with it...it says in the Bible to worship the Lord with everything you do, I believe I can worship God with singing lyrics or drumming the beats of secular songs...assuming there's no cursing or sexually oriented lyrics of course ;)

[ranyhyn]

I don't think there's a problem with it in most respects. Yeah there is some music that is secular that you probably would be better off not listening to but I agreem with sum0 on this one... it really doesn't rank that high up there for most people.

I listen to all kinds of music. If the tune is good then I'll listen to it...the words are secondary to me. But if the words are completely inapropriate I would not listen to it after that. Great words with a terrible tune don't do it for me either...and unfortunately a lot of the "Christian" music I hear on the radio around my parts quite frankly sucks. The lyrics could be the greatest ever written...but the music/tune is just so bad I turn it.

What they play a lot of on the radio here is the same cheesy pop-like tunes that just don't do it for me. I like heavy stuff sometimes and that just ain't played on the raydideeo here... Can only take so much of that sugary, syrupy, cheesy, got a big smile on my face, clappin' my hands stuff ... I want some heavy guitar, drum, and bass riffs to hit me in the face every time the beat slams...crank it up to 10 (or 11 as Spinal Tap would say I believe) and have at it.

But I digress...

[ub4me]

I Let The Holy Spirit Guide Me
I Listen To Many Secular Songs...
But As Soon As Something Comes On That Is Contrary To The Love Of God...i Feel Sick In My Spirit And Turn It Off!!!!
Music Is Powerful....words Are Powerful
Together The Influence Is Great On Our Hearts And Minds.
Do You Know How People Become Brainwashed? By Hearing Things Over And Over.
Even God Said, Faith Cometh By Hearing And Hearing By The Word Of God.
So To Me, That Is Saying Also, Doubt Cometh By Hearing And Hearing By Anything Contrary To The Word Of God.
There Is No Right Or Wrong Answer...it Depends Like Others Have Said...what Is The Content.
Let God's Holy Spirit Lead You...he Is Faithful.

[seekthetruth909]

If you are saved is it alright to listen to secular music? Does secular music also include intrumental like Jazz? Just need to know.
They is nothing wrong with it as long as the lyrics are not too bad.Use your judgement.

Seek

[JanineC]

I think it’s ok to listen to some secular music, and just because it isn’t marketed exclusively to Christians doesn’t mean it’s all ungodly and evil. There are Christians who make secular music such as U2, Pod, Lifehouse, Mary J bleige and I think Evanescence. Those artists have many biblical references in their lyrics and talk about God frequently in their interviews, but also have thier failings. I personally have never been a fan of Christian only music, the lyrics come across as fake and it lacks grit. I prefer music that is more like the psalms, where personal struggles are out in the open. Life as a Christian isn’t all happy and clappy, so why aren’t they being more honest in their lyrics?

[Artificial Intelligence]

Not gritty? How much more gritty does it need to be beyond like Mortification or Demon Hunter …etc? You have heard Christian music, right? ;)

U2 … eh I don’t know bout that, I hear a lot of contempt in some of their music towards God. Maybe they are singing ‘bout or of a different god? If they said they believed in God, I’d ask them which one?

[JanineC]

Not gritty? How much more gritty does it need to be beyond like Mortification or Demon Hunter …etc? You have heard Christian music, right? ;)
Yes, I’ve heard a fair bit of CCM, but it’s mostly the rock/pop lyrics that I’m referring to. I should have made that point. :)

U2 … eh I don’t know bout that, I hear a lot of contempt in some of their music towards God. Maybe they are singing ‘bout or of a different god? If they said they believed in God, I’d ask them which one?
Then you should have a read of this....
http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2005/bono-0805.html