Getting rid of secular music...

Hello,

I've been a Christian now for 16 years and since completely living my life for Jesus I have started to feel more and more uncomfortable with non-Christian music.

Has anyone else felt like this?

This has been a long time coming...almost 2 years ago I went completely Worship music only...can't believe how that time has flown. It changed me alot.

BUT...I realise that the time has come to delete all the songs off Itunes. I don't know why, but this is big deal. Every time I think I will do it, I start to back off.

Background: I love music and I have been emotionally affected by music. Secular songs ususally bring up issues from the past. For me I find that secular songs have quite "dodgy" lyrics and they bring out very ungodly thoughts and reflections.

Does anyone else feel the same about this?

I realise that I am not making a rash or rushed decision this has been 2 years in the making, but why do I feel so attached to this music that is only glorifying the enemy and his ways, rather than my King?

In Him alone,

PS, I meant to add that I read this very disturbing statistic today about getting rid of secular music. I quote, "In 83% of cases, the secular music parted with will be bought back by the evangelical." WOW!!!

Wow, I am so convicted. The place where I got the stats from...I just returned to the website and read the whole article and then the comments. I was just heartbroken at the comments... http://www.stuffchristianculturelikes.com/2009/06/87-getting-rid-of-their-secular-music.html
So after being compelled to write my own comment, it completely confirmed and convicted me to get rid of the filth on my Itunes.

Thank you for your testimonies.

Thank you for

yea i hate secular music , from rap to rocken roll ,and even love songs ,which are realy singing about lust and fornacation ,

iv only been a christan about ten short years

and hive come to a point where i wont listen to that satanic stuff ,

at work when the gyes play there music , ijust put on head phones and listen to sermons and bible readings

but one thing i have noticed ,was i form of mucic that i have allwaysed hated ,,was rap

and never believed for one minute could be converted into gosple music,, inoticed ,,that a few songs that are rap songs ,,sung by timithoy brindle ,,and shai linne

where some of the most powerfull gosple songs iv lissened to to date

just by memory this is the liereks to a songs called the humility of christ

for ever befor creation
or there was satan
the son was with the spirit and father in glorafication
befor the worship of fine angles above
the trinity was in the perfect tryangle above
chilled with no one else ,no need for others
for god is self suffishent ,fullfilled with in him self
and we can only gyess the conversation
but the son agreed to rescue all those the father gave him
alltho this lord shold be worshiped
he volentared to take upen him self the form of a servent
the father commaned ,yet asked him to come
so now lets examend the fassion it was done
let me ask ,you do you seem confussed with this
god passed through his own cratours utterous
i admit this is odd but the bible can persaued me
AN ONIPETENT GOD CRYING AS A BABY
NO DOCTORs around, no spot to be found
to give birth to a child, the only option in town
was to be born in a feeding , with breeding cows , and phesses plies ,the scene was foul
it wasnt fancy ,but raunchy ,
how the son of god was born next to camels ,and donkeys
what an aswem feat to drop so deep
he didnt step down ,he took A QUANTEM LEAP
and im amased at god infenent in wealth
put asside his fame and limited him self
to time and space and eyes and legs
he died to save a violenT race whos sin would bring them HELL
WHOD assume that this could be ,god becasme a men and penatrated in to humen history
but he did it oppasite that people thought he would
so unbelievers were mocken it
the promised messire didnt come in the honner of sire
but humbly rocken ,some modest attire
so people missed it
to be pasific
the ligelists,thought ,the king would be the richest

and we no we like comodaties ,but the persesor
of all riches choose a life of poverty
but wait this is not the desendent of david ,is this
yes and hes desended the greatest distance

he chilled with sinners and tax robbers
who amoungs his creatours ,to him were grace hoppers
he dwelt with lowerr class ,lowly men
and those known as trash were hi choosen kin

and the unbelieving jews were sick of his him
they said he runs with a team of stupid fishamen
and speaks to samartins ,and bararians
the pharries stared at him with harh aragantes

it was shown with the saviour
took notice of beggars
healled the blind and the sick
and those with the lowest of wages

he even touched those with leproce
which was seen as the most descusting noen infestion
see
wait are you kidden me
watch JESUS go low and wash petters toes
what great HUMILITY

SEE THE SECONED PERSON OF THE TRINITY
CAME DOWN TO RESCUE WORKERS OF INIQUITY

check his earthly ministry ,he didnt make a bed
he had no place to lay his head

but he became bound to his own law but we found no flaw
was from a ruggered town so raw

slumbered and slept
hungered and wept and sweated
plunged to our depths the som,of our depths pathetic
the humbelest yet ,the humbelest death that was dreaded
THE SON IS OUR REST COME UNDER AND GET HIS CREDIT

NO QUESTION THAT YOUR DEITY
BUT YOU LAYED ASIDE ,THE FULL EXPRESSION OF YOU DEITY
AND SURFED THE CHASIM ,NO WORDS CAN FATHOMED
HOW GOD WALKED THIS EARTH THAT WAS CURSED FROM ADAM

he was falsly condemed by jews and filthy pagans
on the cross was the peek of his humilation
no discussing sure they best remove him
he got the most desusting form of exacution

he who sits on the throne
was kicked and stomped
and spat on by romen fools

despised by israle
tryed by sinfull souls
but was silent when struck by vilen imbasouls

AND JESUS WAS ABLE TO CALL DOWN LEIGONS OF ANGLES
BUT HE WAS TO FAITHFULL
OH GRAISOUS AND PAIENT WAS HIM
BUT HE WAS HATED AND FORSAKEN BY MEN

jews they hated his soul
judus betrayed him for gold

when it got tough
his crew was affraid so they rolled

the sukkers they merked him
this suffering servent
was beet up and looked like he was cut by a surgen

slaughted bleeding ,gushing ossing blood
THE FATHER PLEASED TO CRUSH HIM WHOM HE LOVED

so he probably didnt even feel the crown and nails
he had to suffer more then this to bring down the vail

our eyes are haughty
our lies are naughty
THE HOLY CHRIST BOAR OUR SINS INSIDE HIS BODY

yea his veins they birst
but no ones pain was worse

BECAUSE THE ONE WHO MADE THE EARTH BECAME A CURSE
AND HE WAS ONE WITH THE FATHERS PRESENCE
BUT ON THE CROSS ,THE GOD OF HEAVEN
CUT OF HIS PRESENCE

SO I CANT SHARE ANY LANUAGE
THAT CAN RIGHTLY DESCRIBE THE CHRIST DESPAIR ,AND ANGUISH

SO FOR EVER WILL I TELL
IN THREE HOURS CHRIST SUFFERN MORE THEN ANY SINNER WILL IN HELL

HE WHO HAD INFINET JOY AND PLEASURE
BECAME A MAN OF SORROWS ,SO WE CAN JOIN FOREVER

he took a cosmic plung
put on some lungs
on the cross became to god a spoung
TO SOAK UP HIS WRATH
SO THE WIKKED WOULDNT BE SIFFED AND BLOWEN

IN TO CHAFF

quote]Some of the lyrics were abominable, occasionally so offensive that i had to go to management and complain about the music being played and request them to change the channel. If i am paying money to be in a place then i reserve the right to have a voice in what sort of "music" i am forced to listen to.

LOL, that is brilliant.

I love sermon index, I finally feel like I am around like minded believers.

I thank God for you all & your encouragement.

In Him always,
Sherid

Has anyone else felt like this?

Everyone who is filled with the Holy Spirit and has listened to secular music has felt like this. Definitely!

Jesus and his Spirit are not of this world. I agree with some of the input here and elsewhere--the real difficulty comes in trying to sort out (1) which so-called Christian music really is Christian, and (2) which non-Christian music is acceptable. I don't mean godless filthy songs or worldly pounding noise. I mean, is it acceptable to listen to Mozart or Bach or mountain music? To a gentle, cheering folk song by a local?

If you try to figure this all out yourself, you will end up in a spiral, since you are like me and are drawn to music and God placed in you a love for it. Fortunately, there is a better way! God will be your Guide and Shepherd! Hallelujah, he can lead you in paths of righteousness for his name's sake!

I could give you the long version, but here's the short one. Get rid of it. All of it. Every last piece of secular music and/or anything else that is even remotely questionable. Go on a "music fast" except for worship songs. You won't ever miss it. Okay, now let me be honest. You will miss it. There will come times you crave it, and doubt your earlier thoughts and whether you want to still go without it. But, hang in there. Here is the great news, when you experience deeper moments of worship and spiritual thoughts than you have before, you will sing out loud with joy to the Lord. (That will be some really good music!) It will all be worth it. You will have a great foretaste of what it will be like to be before the throne. And you won't want to go back.

There came a point early in my Christian walk when I got rid of all of my secular music. I could never stand CCM, and I never listened to any except for a few songs by one particular Christian musician on the life of Christ. A few on there are really excellent (for me). After a few years, I couldn't find anything to fill the void and I bought back a few of those secular albums. It didn't take long to learn that that kind of music didn't fill what I was looking for. I went through a few hard years of praying and searching, but God has both changed me and brought me a variety of music that is in harmony with the Spirit and allows me to worship or have some significant reflections on this life and the life to come. A good portion of it is instrumental. I reject about 99% of modern music, whether secular or "Christian", but it is important to be aware that there are a few good selections out there. Check the nooks and crannies and keep praying for God to lead you into everything good. Be prepared, if necessary, to go through "music wilderness" and feel like you are dying. It's not just the music God may lead you to, but the changes he is going to work in the process that are precious.

Why do they think i want rock music shoved down my throat when i shop?

I can relate to this troubling scenario. Actually, what I do is quit patronizing that business. I have complained to the checkout clerks and they just think it is amusing....well, this store is no longer in business locally, not that I purchase there all that much. But I do wonder how often offensive music will drive customers away.

In any case, not only is the music bad so is the dress of the other shoppers. To save me much grief, I do a lot of shopping online.

It is done! I deleted all the secular music off of my itunes.

I hadn't listened to any of it in at least 2 years BUT it was still there sitting on my itunes...and I knew every time I went into itunes that God was bringing me to this moment of giving up everything that isn't glorifying to Him.

It must have had some sort of hold over me. But it is gone now. It is glorious to be free from these sorts of things.

Thank you all for your encouragment and support.

In Him
Sherid

brothers and sisters,

let me offer a word or understanding. Let us not become or appear as the pharisee does, music just like Harry potter is only entertainment, a movie or music, view it or focus on it only as such, not to move the soul, not to excite any channels within our lives, but just as it is.

nothing wrong with love songs for u n your spouse, i mean, are we really convicted of such or are we trying to clean the house that jesus can only purify?

I use the music to workout and to just pass time even as I pray, the real truth is that Our Lord knows our deepest thoughts, our heart, and out intentions.

He knows what if we love him regardless if we say it or not, he knows how unclean we r regardless if we know it or not, nothing is hidden from God. Our intentions are whats most important.

Now if u are truly convicted out of love to not listen to music or watch tv then thats understandable, if that really is the case.

I have had to talk to Jesus about many of the things that I have done to try to clean my house, I have sought deeply to determine what is right n wrong in the sight of God, but we r to listen for the Holy Spirit ot leadn and guide us into all truth. Everything isn't sin or bad, but too much of Anything is not good.

i would say it is more out of convictin from the holy spirit ,that would be the reason why i dont listen to secural music,and most secular tv

about ten years ago ,i could listen to and watch anthing secular ,it desnt have anything to do with pharasisim,or legalisim ,but conversion and conviction
and about keeping our mind as much as we can upon holy things ,and rejecting things that dont casue holy thoughts in our minds
the bible said be renewed in the spirit of our mind

harry potter
and 90 percent of what the world gives us in music and telavision ,doesnt play a pert in renewing our minds
but in all reality does the verry oppasite ,and degrades the mind

but i do believe in some people there may be a legalist element ,,but from the comments i read here sounds like genuine conviction ,,so its not a good idea to call genuine conviction and a move towards renewing ones mind as pharseisim ,that in itself would be clased as phariseeisim

it is abutafull thing to see brothers and sisters contvicted towards the renewal of there regenrated mind ,

love to see that ,and for me that is a genuine love

and to say what the bible says ,that what is not of faith is SIN ,is to be bibilical, and i do sin if i watch or listen to antyhing ,not in the spirit of faith ,and i dont want to justafie what the bible calls sin , that wouldnt be healthy

brothers and sisters, let me offer a word or understanding. Let us not become or appear as the pharisee does, music just like Harry potter is only entertainment, a movie or music, view it or focus on it only as such, not to move the soul, not to excite any channels within our lives, but just as it is. nothing wrong with love songs for u n your spouse, i mean, are we really convicted of such or are we trying to clean the house that jesus can only purify? I use the music to workout and to just pass time even as I pray, the real truth is that Our Lord knows our deepest thoughts, our heart, and out intentions. He knows what if we love him regardless if we say it or not, he knows how unclean we r regardless if we know it or not, nothing is hidden from God. Our intentions are whats most important.

Brother the road to hell is paved with good intentions!

Every man will give an account of him/her self to God. The bible says our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit and that we are to glorify God in our body and spirit. We are to come out from amongst the world and be separate unto God. We are to touch not the unclean thing and God will be a Father unto us and we will be His sons and daughters.

Having these promises dearly beloved let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of God according to 2 cor. 7:1-2.

Blessings to you!

that what is not of faith is SIN ,is to be bibilical, and i do sin if i watch or listen to antyhing ,not in the spirit of faith ,and i dont want to justafie what the bible calls sin , that wouldnt be healthy

Dear gazzer,
God bless your heart my friend! God has done a work in you.

I cannot stand rock and pop music either. I do love music and play classical music and listen very occasionally to some selected instrumental jazz tunes. I shun away from christian rock and disdain some of the shallow Christian contemporary music. I fell in love with the old hymns and my kids like them, too. There are also some noteworthy new Christian hymns that I like such as "The power of the cross" or "In Christ Alone' etc.

Rbanks,

i hear ya, but it appears that every response is so holy and filled with such conviction.

So I am assuming from the manner in which many of u have written on this subject that u are all dead completely dead to the world and secular music and tv is sinful?

This is not about good intentions its about the intent of the heart period. I dont profess to be good or ever have good intentions, I just want to be real, real with my friend Jesus and myself.

No sense in me or anyone pretending outwardly but yet the heart still longs for such things.

So again, I assume everyone that has responded has no dealings with anything worldly? Because that is the manner in which many of u all make it sound.

Doesnt really matter to me because we all have personal relationships with Christ, but I though it was important to point that out, man looks at the outward, but God sees and searches my heart.....

May as well while were at it, get rid of Baked Beans,
Campbell’s Condensed Soups, Have you seen how much salt is in your classic Campbell’s condensed soup? Chicken Pot Pie, Hot Dogs, Luncheon Meats Commercial cold cuts are highly processed and packed with unhealthy additives.Ramen Noodles ,Saltines crackers, White Bread, White Pasta, White Potatoes, Baskin Robbin’s Large Heath Bar Shake, Coffee,Diet Soda, Eggnog, This creamy drink is a favorite around the holidays. Even without the liquor, it is quite fatty and unhealthy. Fruit Juice, Most commercial fruit juices are loaded with sugar. In fact, some fruit juices offer more sugar in one serving than a candy bar. Think about that the next time you go for some Hawaiian Punch.Fruit Smoothie, Red Bull, Soda, Whole Milk, Chocolate, Coffee Cake – This sugary baked good definitely tastes great, but it is full of refined sugars, artificial additives and fat.Cookies, Corn Chips, Doughnuts,French Fries,Ice Cream, Lunchables, This Oscar Mayer product is convenient for lunch or a quick snack, but contains highly processed meats, non-enriched bread and a lot of sodium.
Potato Chips, etc. if were going to get rid of things that are bad for us lets not stop at secular music.

i hear ya, but it appears that every response is so holy and filled with such conviction. So I am assuming from the manner in which many of u have written on this subject that u are all dead completely dead to the world and secular music and tv is sinful? This is not about good intentions its about the intent of the heart period. I dont profess to be good or ever have good intentions, I just want to be real, real with my friend Jesus and myself. No sense in me or anyone pretending outwardly but yet the heart still longs for such things. So again, I assume everyone that has responded has no dealings with anything worldly? Because that is the manner in which many of u all make it sound.

I can't speak for everybody else but as for me I have learned a lot the hard way and have made a lot of wrong choices. I have repented a lot. I have come to realize that I need to abstain from certain things that are considered worldly in that if it cools my affection for God and is not uplifting to my spiritual walk with God then I must refrain from it altogether or get control of how I use the things of this world. The bible teaches that we need to be filled with the Spirit continually and that we need to be strong in the Lord. So I must guard my heart and make sure I am not indulging in something that pleases my flesh so that I would become more carnal instead of being spiritual in walking with God.

We need to have power with God. The Spirit is always ready the flesh is weak so we must pray continually and spend time building up our spiritual man. We must build up ourselves on our most holy faith praying in the Holy Spirit so that we can keep ourselves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ at His appearing.

Blessings to you!

May as well while were at it, get rid of Baked Beans,

Very comical Bill but remember the words of Jesus that it's not what goes in the mouth that defiles the man but what comes out.

There is a big difference in eating food in moderation that is sanctified by the word of God and prayer, than in receiving worldliness in your spirit that is reserved only for communion with God.

Blessings to you!

thanks for you kind words ,narrow path , may you also be blessed

i dont think we can put on the same level baked beans

and renewing the mind

like our brother just said it not what goes in but what comes out of the mouth

and paul said all foods are concidred clean if eaten with thanks giving ,and santified the word by prayer

maby a person has a genitc problem with weight ,ar are on medacation ,wher by they need to only eat ceataint foods like vegatables and verry little fats , to stay healty probable shoud by pass the backed beens ect

like our brother said moderation is the word

idont think it is possable consume satan in moderation and still be effected

the words of many secural songs ,are not gods words ,but in reality are satanic and damaging to the mind

most songs are about fornacation ,we dont need to be encourage in these things , nor should we justafie songs that are clearly desensatising our youth to the horrable realitys of fornacation

im not trying to be silly but it is mind controling,and brain washing realy ,,and the film clips ,are leading young boys towards pornoragapy , becasue of the simalarity ,

i dont think our brothers and sisters here and me have fully detached our selvs from the world ,but if we will continue to move towards holiness ,justafiing wouldly things is something that has no proffet in our lives any more ,even if they still tug on our hearts

Old_Joe Since Bill tried humor I think I will give it a go.

Thank you for recognizing that, you have to have a sense of humor to recognize a sense of humor, I think a few folks thought I was serious. I guess without the smiley faces it's sometimes hard to show were trying to be funny. I know there are a lot of Christians that think humor and being funny is a sin, but there are a few of them that out yonder that still enjoy some humor, so I try to help out the ones that enjoy it.

Thanx Mr.Bill

The Lord purify us and you also should purify ourselves brother. Be not deceived.

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." 1 John 3:2-3, KJV

hi, we old people think most music of the young has to be demonic.country folks think classical music is demonic and vice versa. latinos love latin music. there is only 8 notes plus sharps and flats.which ones are demonic?the rap ones and the loud rock ones of course.jimp

I really liked your post. Your post has given us a bit of history as well as a spiritual perspective.

However, I am really heart broke by many denominations (including mine) and the non-denominational churches, not only in my area but through out the United States as well, because of there unholiness when it comes to music.

It is my opinion that many churches believe (correct me if I am wrong) that in order to get juveniles into the church they need to play "rock band" style music during worship instead of the century old favorites in the hymnals. As an example "the old rugged cross" or "Amazing Grace".

A few weeks ago I met the pastor of a local Methodist church. Pastor "Buck" is considered to be a new church start pastor. He is a very nice gentleman, however, when I ask about his church, he told me that they have a very lively worship service. "So and so from one of the variety shows in our area is the worship leader".

That pretty much told me that they may play rock music in their worship service.

It is the same with IHop. When I tuned into one of the services they played rock music during the worship. How is that uplifting? I couldn't understand all of the lyrics at all. It leaves me wondering if the lyrics were even biblical.

How can you have revival with that kind of music?

by carters on 2011/6/18 16:43:13

I've been a Christian now for 16 years and since completely living my life for Jesus I have
started to feel more and more uncomfortable with non-Christian music. Has anyone else felt like this?

BUT...I realise that the time has come to delete all the songs off Itunes. I don't know why, but this is big deal. Every time I think I will do it, I start to back off. For me I find that secular songs have quite "dodgy" lyrics and they bring out very ungodly thoughts and reflections.

Does anyone else feel the same about this?

Alas, yes. I recall the day I first noticed that one of my favorite country music songs felt and sounded sexually provocative... made to suit the secular night club circuit.

It jarred on me, like a note gone sour, even though I still liked the song a great deal.

Music is meant to cling to the heart and soul, and this would not be a problem, were it not for the words in most secular music. This is why it is so hard for you, for any of us, to give up music that we once heard and enjoyed.

Music actually is a part of memory and recall, and a few notes can often bring back full pictures of times before that one would like to forget forever.

One has to be very careful these days, even on good Christian radio stations, to choose songs by the good associations you find in the words.

These days, I just pick and choose amongst the songs I like, and buy them track by track,that I might have a safe library to retreat to.

Even when I'm working out, I find I can then pre-select a series of songs from my own library, and design them around my warmup and recovery (slower songs) and running/jogging/dancing (faster songs),which actually make me feel good, and yet are good for me.

Ezekial 28:
13. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the Beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the
sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.
14. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
15. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.
16. By the multitude of thy merchandise they have filled the midst of thee with violence, and thou hast sinned: therefore I will cast thee as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.
17. Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.
18. Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity of thy traffick; therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee, and I will bring thee to ashes upon the earth in the sight of all them that behold thee.

what is not of faith is SIN

In a forum like SI, I've been tempted to throw in my 2cents with so many threads but I have to restrain myself. I want to be few but purposeful when I speak. Most of all I want to be led and have the unction of the Spirit. Don't you feel like that at meetings? I sit so often [in my mind] wringing my hands cause I want to impart some [roll my eyes] wisdom for the rest of 'them'. I've learned to quiet myself. Not easy but I wanted to learn to listen. Hard to 'hear' when I'm constantly talking. Pastor Dave [Wilkerson] used to get us to just be quiet often in a the service when the Spirit was heavy [foreign to many Pentecostal types]. He also taught us that we should at times just be quiet before the Lord when praying. NOT EASY. I hope I didn't just contradict my point :)

Anyway, I believe I have something to add here.

Interesting thread. When we deal with things like this that are not so explicitly addressed in the Bible it makes for an interesting discussion or debate. I noticed the high 'views' on this thread. This obviously attracted a lot of attention because of the potential controversy it has. Grey area material but nevertheless important. Many things could be categorized with this: entertainment, recreation, social activities [facebook?].

I am glad I attended churches that taught about 'seperation' and holiness. Of course the danger of that is 'legalism'.

As a young believer I applied my philosophy of 'all or none' to my spiritual walk. Which I believe is biblical. After my initial, renewed commitment to the Lord [which I think should rather be a regular mindset], I threw away all my collection of secular music, etc.

As I continued in my walk over the years, I began to question my motives. As another poster mentioned, I wanted to be 'real'. Was I being superficial when I still had longing in my heart for some of that old music? I did go back and started listening to them but with a different mindset and I did so with a guarded heart. My goal was that what ever I did, I wanted my motive to be because of my conviction coming from my 'personal relationship' with God, not because someone told me to. God is always concerned with the heart condition. [Obviously, there are times and things that we should abstain from physically because of the damage [ex. drugs, pornography] they bring]. I wanted God to do the circumcision in my heart and then let it be manifested in my flesh.

So as time passed, I realized that come to pass. We are not only called to be separated from this world, we are called to be separated unto the Lord. The absence of the latter can quickly lead to legalism. As I hungered for God and coveted a sensitivity to His voice [something that I struggled after and continue to seek], I found that somethings just cool my passion and distracts from my eternal direction. I wanted to guard the presence of God in my life and also guard my passion for Him. As vessels, what are we going to put in the limited capacity of our earthen vessel?

I think we can use several layers or filters when dealing with things that are not so cut and dry. Many already mentioned by others.

1. Motive - test your motive because you can give your body to be burned and without love, be in vain. God looks on the heart - always.

2. Impact [You]- what is the impact it will have on your walk. Does it help or hinder, focus or distract [look not to the left or the right - keep your heart with ALL DILIGENCE, heat up your passion or cool your soul, does this grieve the Holy Spirit, numb your discernment, we are at war

3. Eternity - giving account for our time spent in light of eternity and God's purposes. Does this sow to the Spirit - which is eternal or the flesh?

4. Impact [Others]- what we do is not our personal thang. What do we teach others in our example. When we fall, we don't fall alone.

5. Holiness - He said be holy as He is holy - friendship with the world is enmity with God. Who shall ascend to the hill of the Lord - he that has clean hands and a pure heart

6. Other - we need to be careful how we encourage or teach others. We can speak the truth in love but allow them to mature and come to their personal conviction. They should not change because of what someone says even if it is right. Give them the space that we were afforded. Because one day that action can be reversed if it wasn't a work of God. For some of us, it also too time. Pray for them, love them, trust God.

Nuf said. Ok, I just preached to myself.

Thanks Raguas,

Well written. I appreciate your post.

The motive is really important and in my case in getting rid of the secular music was because everyone of those songs reminds me of my past. As mentioned before, songs are very intertwined with my emotions, not godly emotions...

Songs remind me of a time when I was not walking with the Lord & partying up in the clubs...the songs pull me back to those times. Sometimes these memories can be drawing of the flesh back into an ungodly place where I stumbled before & where the focus was all on impressing those around me, trying to get attention on myself OR it could bring back memories of ungodly and sinful relationships from my past.

Most of the secular songs on my itunes take me back to these past relationships. These memories are depressing, humiliating or flesh inticing.

So in hindsight...I see things alot clearer now and I am extremely pleased I do not have any more of the memories of the past on my computer. I am very pleased I am rid of the past and I can face the present & the future without reminders of the past.

Everyone is affected by music differently. And just like you said, you need to look at your motives. I do not have anyone in my life affecting the decision I made, no legalistic influences - just wanting to glorify my God with my thoughts and wanting to move on from the past once and for all...completely & set free :)

In Him & through Him only
Sherid

I quit secular music when I was saved . I wanted whatever God wanted in my life. The world's music didn't appease to me anymore. A Christian should listen to music that only gives glory to God. If the music overrides the message, it is not worth the time to listen to. Thanks and God Bless !

What is your opinion Guys about the fact That Paul Washer is promoting christian rappers like Flame and LaCrae ?
I cannot find it in the scripture.
I know also William Botth used Music to evangelize.

Wow raguas, I really appreciate your post. That was very encouraging. :)
This really caught my attention:

We are not only called to be separated from this world, we are called to be separated unto the Lord. The absence of the latter can quickly lead to legalism. As I hungered for God and coveted a sensitivity to His voice [something that I struggled after and continue to seek], I found that somethings just cool my passion and distracts from my eternal direction. I wanted to guard the presence of God in my life and also guard my passion for Him.

I had never thought of it in that way before. I gave up most secular music last year (except for some classical and instrumental music). The way I saw it was that I loved Him and wanted to do what pleased Him. I hadn't thought of it as "guarding the presence of God in my life" but looking back, that's what it was in my heart I just couldn't articulate it like that.
Thank you. That makes things a little bit clearer for me. It's not just to separate from the world, but to the Lord. I wonder, if I just separate from the world and don't separate unto God, is it even worth it? I don't know. I don't think so, because then it could turn into legalism. But you have given me something to meditate on. Thank you.

On the topic...
I've had many bad and evil experiences with secular music so I abstain from most of it as much as possible. I can visibly see the change in my little sister when she listens to certain bands, even though she is not saved it still affects her.
Also I recall one instance when we were painting the youth room in my church. One of the men helping us had put on worship music and we listened to that for a while. But as soon as it ended (the CD? the playlist? not sure) one of the youth jumped on the chance to put on her own music (VERY secular music) and you could physically feel the atmosphere change. Several arguments broke out and many snippy comments were made. And I felt the enemy's attacks in my spirit. I talked to another adult about it and they said they also felt the change when the secular music was put on.
If the only reason not to listen to secular music was to keep the enemy from attacking in that way, it would be reason enough for me not to listen to it.

May we press on to glorify the Lord, even in such a "small" area such as music!!
In Christ,
Veronica

And then there is SILENCE.

Why are people afraid of it?

Why not 'play' it?

Why do people think silence needs to be filled with noise? Even music, whether it be good or bad?

SILENCE. Listen. What do you hear? Nothing? Listen some more.

What did you read this morning? Have you thought about God's word and what it is teaching you? Or, are you allowing music to drown out this voice that would love to teach you, speak with you...

SILENCE. Ahhh, it has the feel of velvet...

Listen! hear the birds singing? Hey! there is a mocking bird - hear his beautiful singing - he imitates other bird's songs! Now, no musician can imitate that beautiful warbling.

Silence.

Listen. You may hear something more beautiful....

excellent ginnyrose. leave it to you.

Hello brother,it takes all things to do it.YOU MUST NOT ONLY DELETE IT YOU MUST HATE THEM-the very thing that took Jesus to the cross.PLEASE DO IT FOR JESUS

While I am in agreement that followers of Jesus have no business filling their hearts and minds with much of what is out there it seems to me that the posts reflect far to much "blanket condemnation". It would seem wise to judge anything by its content and fruit...whether you personally label it "secular" or not. There are some very decent songs of devoted love between a man and wife out there. Songs that promote fidelity and the loyalty of wedded love. Although it may be "secular" it is also an excellent message that we would do well to follow. I think we could all agree on that. As an example I post the lyrics from the totally "secular"... but very Biblically consistent ,"WHEN I SAID I DO". Obviously it deals with what the couple meant when they took their marriage vows. It follows

WHEN I SAID I DO

Songwriters:CLINT BLACK, CLINT PATRICK

These times are troubled and these times are good
And they're always gonna be, they rise and they fall
We take 'em all the way that we should
Together you and me forsaking them all
Deep in the night and by the light of day
It always looks the same, true love always does
And here by your side, or a million miles away
Nothin's ever gonna change the way that I feel,
The way it is, is the way that it was

When I said I do, I meant that I will 'til the end of all time
Be faithful and true, devoted to you
That's what I had in mind when I said I do

Well this old world keeps changin', and the world stays the same
For all who came before, and it goes hand and hand
Only you and I can undo all that we became
That makes us so much more, than a woman and a man
And after everything that comes and goes around
Has only passed us by, here alone in our dreams
I know there's a lonely heart in every lost and found
But forever you and I will be the ones
Who found out what forever means

When I said I do, I meant that I will 'til the end of all time
Be faithful and true, devoted to you
That's what I had in mind when I said I do

Truer than true, you know that I'll always be there for you
That's what I had in mind, that's what I had in mind,
When I said I do

end lyrics

While I am sure some may try to knot pick something wrong here... it simply isn't there. In a nutshell...we made a vow to be devoted to each other for all time. The world we live in will see us go through good and bad times, easy and hard times. Whatever times come...I made a vow to be devoted only to you (my spouse) and that's exactly what I meant and will do.

Secular or not.. it is a mind set and commitment we need in the church and world!

So....I hope we can be mature enough to evaluate a piece of music by its content and message rather than if we label it "secular" or not. What is the message and what fruit is it looking to produce... those are the better questions in my mind.

Blessings,

Solomon101

Enochh, it was the LORD...