Media in the Life of a Christian...Part 1 (Music)

You ever find yourself completely consumed by a video or a commercial?  You ever notice how you find yourself singing or dancing to the song that is being played at Walmart at a very low volume level?  You ever catch yourself at Applebee's and you can't keep your eyes off the TV hanging off the upper rim of the bar. 

Media is powerful!!  Hollywood has it all figured out.  They realize the power that videos, music and television have on the minds and lives of our society.  It's not a secret.

 

In this blog, I want to focus on Music.  A very powerful vehicle that can be used correctly or incorrectly.  You and I hold the keys. 

Andrew Fletcher ... "Give me the making of the songs of a nation and I care not who makes the laws."

Jimi Hendrix ... "You can hypnotize people with music, and when you get them at their weakest point, you can preach into their subconscious whatever you want to say."

Paul ... Colossians 3:16-17 (NIV)

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 

Paul is encouraging the church to sing songs that gratify God.  He knew that music was, at that time, and would be in the future a challenge for the saints of God. 

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Its amazing when we really think about the lyrical content of a song.  Lyrics are powerful.  They tell stories.  They preach or teach a message.  And when put together with a cool relevant mix, it is very easy to get "hooked". 

Do you think you could have learned the ABCs as fast as you did as a kid if it wasn't in song form?   It's a cool little tune that kids love.  Its such a catchy tune, that it is also used for "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and "Ba Ba Black Sheep". 

Paul was used by God to write many letters to the New Testament churches.  In this particular passage, he is teaching the Christians to be careful what you allow in yourselves to sing.  God knew then and He knows now, that if songs are not used for His glory, somebody else will get it.  If we don't listen to or sing songs that worship God, then what or who is the song worshipping?  Songs and music were created for the purpose of worshipping God.  So, therefore, if the songs we sing aren't worshipping God, then who? 

If the song if filled with lyrical content about sex, drugs, making love, treating people wrong, etc.... then that is what the song is worshipping.  I've seen many people say, "Oh, I just like the beat."  or  "I like the way it sounds." 

There isn't anything wrong with different types or styles of music, but it becomes right or wrong when with the lyrical content.  Or, it becomes right or wrong with the "worshippee" content.  I just made a new word.   What or who is the song about?  That's the "worshippee". 

I have seen it happen many times; a person will begin to listen to something ungodly or unholy because they like the sound of the mix.  Then they hit REPEAT over and over again.  Then they begin singing the lyrics.  A little while later, their attitude starts to change.   They begin to think on things they didn't used to.  The thoughts turn into real life ideas and then into real actions. 

Example: if a person listens to music about love, they begin to think on those things.  The thoughts turn into lust.  The lust turns into to lustful conversations.  The conversations turn into a lifestyle.  The lifestyle gets them in trouble and living in sin.

This is reality.  It happens.

2 Peter 2:19 "...whatever overcomes a man, to that he is enslaved..."

Proverbs 18:21 (AMP)
Death and life are in the power of tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death of life].
This is not just talking.  It is singing as well.

Matthew 12:36 (NIV)

Men will have to give account on the Day of Judgement for every careless word they have spoken.

When we sing "carelessly", we don't pay attention to WHAT we are singing.  We will be judged for that.

Here is a good Music Test to use.  Ask these questions:

1) How does the music move me or make me fell while listening (or singing)?

2) Does the message draw me closer to God or pull me away from Him?

3) Do the lyrics encourage me to think critically and make wise decisions?

4) Would you feel like you had to hide this music from your godly friends?

5) Could you and God listen to this musical selection together?

The final question: Does this choice of entertainment fit the qualifications of Philippians 4:8?

(NIV) Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

We must fill our ears with stuff that is praiseworthy to God.  What we allow to come into our ears will make its way to our minds and then eventually through our mouths. 

We must consider this idea and not make light of it.  Media is destroying homes and relationships everyday.  Ungoldy Music is just one vehicle that media uses.  We need to take the keys from society and the enemy and use the correct (godly) vehicles that are available to us. 

Hope you were challenged.  Hope you enjoyed.  God bless you.