Most, if not all, of us have a favourite song. Whether it's pop, rock, blues, jazz or classical, we can all agree that music contains a very strong element that moves our hearts, inspires us to be jolly or attempt new things, and at times makes us feel happy even when we're down.
For Christians, however, there's a common concern that arises every time music is played on the radio or in the bus station: can I listen to secular music and still be Christian?
Honestly, this question appears to sound like "can I eat sushi and still be American/Canadian/Swiss?" Before some of you agree to that, here are a few things that Christians should consider when choosing which music they listen to.
1) Everything is permissible, but not beneficial
Paul said that all things are permitted, but not everything is good (1 Corinthians 6:12, 10:23). That's the same with secular music. Being a Christian doesn't mean thrashing the radio or asking the fast food crew to stop playing songs played by secular artists, but it does mean you should not listen to songs filled with ungodly lyrics.
While there are secular songs that sound good and bring good messages, there are many secular songs that encourage adultery, sexual lust, materialism, greed, hatred and bitterness, among other things. We should be careful what songs we listen to.
2) We must starve the flesh, feed the Spirit
Genuine Christ-followers know this: anything that would exalt the flesh and kill the spirit should be shut down in our lives. Whatever we feed grows healthy, and whatever we starve dies. Following this logic, we should instead choose to build up our spirit with praise instead of our flesh with soulish music.
James said, "is anyone cheerful? Let him sing Psalms." (see James 5:13) The Bible tells us that whenever any man or woman of God is happy, we should firstly sing praises unto the Lord.
Take for example David, who sang many songs of praise to the Lord (see book of Psalms). Or Mary, who sang to the Lord because He has looked down on the lowly (Luke 1:46-55). Or Moses, who sang to the Lord while his sister Miriam pulled the tambourine out and sang while dancing because of His deliverance (Exodus 15).
Think about it. Would you like to sing Frank Sinatra's "I did it my way" or Bon Jovi's "It's my life" in front of Christ during your prayer time?
3) We shouldn't be yoked with unbelievers
"What has Christ in common with belial?" said Paul (see 2 Corinthians 6:14-16). Christians shouldn't behave like the world, and the area of music isn't exempted from this.
Some say that they only listen to secular music so that they can reach out to their friends, but honestly, you can still reach out without doing that. Christ did not behave like the world, yet He fulfilled His work of atoning for our sins and reconciling us to the Father.
Not a set of rules
Friends, this isn't about a set of rules. Rather, it's about fixing what's in your heart – would you rather fill your heart with God's praises, or fill it with the world's chorus?
