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Can I listen to secular music?

Discussion in 'Music Ministry' started by Antonio Valdes, Mar 5, 2016.

  1. Antonio Valdes

    Antonio Valdes New Member

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    I've been struggling a lot with my music lately. I'm trying to give up secular music but I end up remember the songs I used to listen. When I tried looking up this topic, people answer yes, no, or that it depends on how effects. Some that say no say that it's a sin and that it makes someone a lukewarm Christian. I thought that if it a secular song has positive lyrics then I can listen to it. What do you guys think?
     
  2. annsni

    annsni Well-Known Member
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    I don't think that there is a straight up solid one answer to this question. It may be a sin for some and not for others. Why are you trying to give up secular music? What kind of music is this secular music?

    I think a key verse for something like this is Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." So how does your music fit into this?

    I do listen to old 80s music, especially when I'm cleaning. Nothing like the B-52s to get you moving to clean those toilets! LOL But I don't associate it with anything bad because when I first heard this stuff in the 80s, it was during a time that I was dating my husband, in youth ministry and really didn't have a bad time in life. I wasn't doing drugs, having sex or anything like that. I think if I was struggling with these kinds of issues and this music was associated with that time, I'd probably not listen to it. I don't even listen to it often now - I mostly listen to Christian music but "Amazing Grace" is not toilet cleaning music! LOL

    So I say that if it is bringing you to a place where you feel that you need to avoid, if you feel that for you listening to this is not healthy and if you feel it can't pass Philippians 4:8 in your life, then it's time to work to keep it out of your life. Yes, it will still pop into your head and when that happens, just replace it with another better song! There are lots of good ones out there!
     
  3. Antonio Valdes

    Antonio Valdes New Member

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    The thing that scares me is when Jesus said not to love the things of the world and I wonder if secular stuff count as things of the world. I used to listen to Japanese music.
     
  4. FriendofSpurgeon

    FriendofSpurgeon Well-Known Member
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    Doesn't matter what I think. Let's go back to Scripture. See Galatians 5 below --

    "16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy,[d] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

    Thus, if your music causes sexual immorality, impurity, jealousy, anger, etc., then yes, I would agree with you. Stay away from this music. However, I don't think this is where you were going.

    Just since the music doesn't have Christian lyrics does not mean that it's bad. That's like saying just because something is not in the Bible means that it's not true. For example, the Pythagorean Theorem is not ever mentioned in the Bible, but it's still true.

    If I sing love songs to my wife, do they have to be from Song of Solomon? (If so, the lyrics would be quite racy.) Or does it make much more sense to sing something more current - and much more relative?

    Bottom line, music is a gift from God. Enjoy it.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  5. Antonio Valdes

    Antonio Valdes New Member

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  6. Zaac

    Zaac Well-Known Member

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    A lot of people think I'm weird because I don't, in MY house or MY car, allow for any music that is not Christian music. If you don't like that, then you don't have to ride in my car or come into my house. And unless I'm at the gym where I don't have any control over what they play, I don't listen to secular music.

    I'm a firm believer in that what you put in will come out when you're squeezed. And I've noticed in my short time here on this earth that a lot of Christians, when they are squeezed, tend to cuss a lot or do things that aren't exactly a right representation of Christ. I think a lot of that has to do with what we watch and listen to.

    I know adults and kids who say they are Christians who listen to some of the vilest stuff that's out. And when they aren't in church, that's what comes out.

    I just think that a lot of secular music dulls our spirits to right and wrong behavior just like alcohol or mind altering drugs would.

    And so much of it is so negative.

    Christ honoring music is , IMO, a much better option if you're gonna listen to anything.
     
  7. Zaac

    Zaac Well-Known Member

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    Yep. And that's what so much of today's music centers around. I used to like Country music. But then they started getting raunchy too so I stopped listening.

    I agree. But just don't think you're gonna get in my car or come into my house blaring something about "backing up on it" or whatever else seems to pass for music these days.

    I think with me, what a lot of folks today call music, I call just straight obscene, gutter trash that's not fit for Christian consumption.
     
  8. FriendofSpurgeon

    FriendofSpurgeon Well-Known Member
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    I understand what you are saying, as I am listening to a lot more Christian music these days. And obviously, what you listen to in your home an car is your prerogative. Also, I agree -- a lot of music today is junk. That being said, I am uncomfortable in drawing a wall between sacred and non-sacred. Sacred vs. sinful - absolutely. But I think sacred vs. secular is a false dichotomy.

    Personally, I love all different types of music - everything from jazz to country to rock to Latin to whatever OK, not "whatever." Personally, I can't stand rap, bluegrass and a few other genres. I have a friend who plays in an orchestra and I love his classical music. Another friend plays in a band and I love his classic rock. Neither is sinful. BTW, both are Christians and both play at church as well. Art doesn't have to be "Christian art" to make it beautiful and accepting to God.
     
  9. Antonio Valdes

    Antonio Valdes New Member

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  10. Antonio Valdes

    Antonio Valdes New Member

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    Do you want me to show you one of the songs?
     
  11. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    The only type of secular music that is acceptable is Country.

    And even then only if done by one of the 4 Hanks* and a Lecil**, which just about sums up Country music.

    *Hank Williams, Sr., Hank Williams, Jr., Hank Williams, III, and Hank Snow.
    **Lecil Martin, known professionally as "Boxcar Willie."

    Just a side note. Lecil Martin (Boxcar Willie) was career Air Force for 27 years (a pilot and flight engineer). When he was 45 years old his wife encouraged to retire and try singing professionally.

    He did and the rest is history. Also the lady at his side is his faithful wife of almost 40 years at the time of his death from leukemia just a couple weeks after this video was made.

     
    • Winner Winner x 1
  12. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I think the answer to your question is to simply ask if God is glorified through your enjoyment of that music. It is not a matter of rhythm, or really even lyrics. It is not a matter of how the music makes you feel, or what it brings to your mind. I don't think it is even a matter of God being glorified in the music towards which we choose to incline an ear. It is a matter of God being glorified through us and through our life (to include the choices we make).

    I can think of several secular songs that I believe may meet this criteria for me....but none of them country (except maybe a couple of George Jones songs....maybe...o_O).
     
  13. Antonio Valdes

    Antonio Valdes New Member

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    How exactly can God be glorified?
     
  14. JonC

    JonC Moderator
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    I don't mean that God can be glorified by the music or by us. What I mean is to ask whether or not God is glorified through you when you listen to the music. God glorifies himself through us.

    For me, there are songs (even secular ones....often ones I don't really listen to) that seem to facilitate an outward expression of "Christlikeness" towards those I am around. This is what I mean.
     
  15. Agent47

    Agent47 Active Member
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    Interesting topic, I do listen to secular music a lot, reggae, Soul,hip hop and very rarely rock.To me secular music is as spiritual as watching a soccer match or a gardening hobby. I don't believe every single moment of our lives under the sun should be spent 'in the Spirit' it is impractical. Before I married I realized some music steered my mind towards carnal thoughts, and I had to stop because it was a tough job maintaining purity, but now as a married man I'm freed of such fears.

    Having said that,I don't criticize those who won't listen to secular music as I believe this is all a matter of conscience just as is imbibing alcoholic beverages
     
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