Where in the Bible?

Question

Where in the bible does it say that someone shouldn't listen to secular music? My friend recently said she was giving up listening to secular music not because she felt that the message was wrong but that she just loves music and listen's to it too much and memorizes the lyrics, she basically says she feels guilty for liking music...but why does she choose to single out secular...can you not memorize christians lyrics as well. I could completely understand if she felt that the music went against her religious beliefs but she listens to Tori Amos and Dave Matthews...last time I checked they weren't performing Ritual sacrafice on stage...I think she is being religiously trendy as i call it.

Answer 1

HI Derek,
Good question. Obviously I do not know what your friend's church background is. Although what she is doing is appropriate from a Biblical standpoint, she might be legalistic in her approach (Overly stiff, following a rule as though its the ONLY way to do something). But let's assume that she is a Christian that simply desires to walk with God in a close manner. There's a "fancy" word called sanctification. It means to be set apart. Both the Old Testament and the New are full of stories and commands that depict that God expects his people to NOT look like the non-believing people. So that alone could cause your friend to choose Christian music over secular. Have you listened to the words in secular music lately Derek? They've always talked about love, but they are now often filled with a lot of profanity, sex even violence. Christians are called to not purposely fill their minds with those things (Romans 12:1-2) because as a man thinks so he acts...(Proverbs 23:7) so if we fill our minds with negative thoughts, we tend to be very pessimistic. The same is true with any thoughts - garbage in - garbage out!

When a person becomes a Christian they are set apart by Christ - He calls them to change, to leave what was behind and press ahead to what God has called them to do- He provides the power (Ephesians 5) but as a Christian we are under new ownership (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). If you are not a Christian, that may seem very odd, but it makes sense that if you have a new "boss" at work, you do things his way - especially if that boss is smart, loving and giving like God. Why wouldn't you want to follow him?

Anyway, you asked, where in the Bible does it say....the problem in answering is: where does it not say that. I could quote passage after passage, but I think you see my point.

Frankly, Christians SHOULD be involved as engineers, scientists, musicians, doctors and everything else. Christians are called to be salt and light to a world (Matthew %:13-14) which Jesus says is corrupted and is dying (He died to save people who recognize that and turn to Him). Perhaps your friend is overdoing it a bit - but perhaps this is her way of saying, enough is enough, and she's trying to run form her junky past and begin living more consistently for God. I hope you will be patient and supportive.

Hope that helps.

My best,
Prof Mark
http://prof-mark.com

Answer 2

I think that a lot of secular music these days, although it may or may not send a "bad message", does have suggestive elements and are distractions to you which may eventually become temptations. I have done a similar thing with my music collection, just because I want to stay focused on Christ, the author and perfector of my faith. This is a personal decision, though, and although you may disagree with your friend, I certainly hope that you respect her for it. Some things aren't as apparent and sacrificial rituals. I do believe , however, that the Christian trend is quite the opposite. Too many Christians I know are listening to Nelly, 50 Cent, and all the other rap artists that I believe are degrading and innapropriate. Again, it is their decision. I hope I have been of some assistance!

Answer 3

I Agree With (Tiny Jr)...He's Right, The Bible Doesn't Say That You Can't Listen To Secular Music......But Then, The Bible Also Doesn't Say You Should Take A Shower Or Brush You Teeth Either,...Why?..Because GOD Gave Us Common Sense To Know How And When To Groom Ourselves!....God Wants His Servants To use (Spiritual Wisdom) As Well As Natural Wisdom As To What To & Not Do!......

Answer 4

This is an extremely complex issue.

The Bible does not condemn the use of vocal and/or instrumental music. It does differentiate among

1. religious music for corporate worship,
2. religious and non-religious music for entertainment, and
3. music (vocal and instrumental) that are not suitable for Christians.

There are no specific text but the examples and other general guidelines are quite relevant as they point out principles.

Strictly speaking, "secular" means "against religion". Maybe your friend has a problem in semantics.

Incidentally, since most current music (religious and secular) is some type of rock music, your friend is quite right in refusing to accept these. Rock music has be shown experimentally to destroy hearing, brain function and form, heart function, and a host of other problems.

Answer 5

Maybe she just feels that she is putting the music before God. If she finds herself loving the music more than she loves to talk with God then for her it might be a problem. Everyone needs to do what feels right for them spiritually. True friends support each other in all their decisions. It is not wrong to listen to secular music and it is not wrong to decide to not listen to it either.

Answer 6

I believe the object of the music should be noted. Not all secualr music is bad. Not all Christian music, labeled as such, is God based, either. But what message does it send to the listener? What lifestyle does the artists live?
Elton John is homosexual...why should I buy his records and promote his lifestyle?
THe Rolling Stones, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, have been noted for the songs and lifestyles to the devil.
I am not saying you listen to this, either, but music is very influential. Before I became a Christian, I did not care what the message was until I studied it. Sex, drugs, suicide have been carefully hidden in music from Nirvana, Britney Spears, et al.

Besides, you may find that Christian music has its talents.

Answer 7

i think that this is a matter of personal conviction. it does not say anywhere in the bible that secular music is all wrong, and we do have free will. however the bible says that we should not put other things before God, or if you will, make other things into a "god". maybe this is what your friend is feeling. i also think that christians can make christian music into a "god", and listen to it because it makes them feel morally secure rather than to please God. however, your friend's decision does display discipline whatever the reason may be, which is a quality that i highly admire and respect.

Answer 8

The more your are filled the the Holy Spirit the more the things of this world grow strangely dim. We Christians need to be filled with the Spirit of God. If you're filled than you have no room for other stuff. Also, secular music can open the door to worldly things. If she is really your friend, and you are hers and she means anything to you, you will be supportive of her and be be offended by her wanting to improve herself.

Answer 9

It never says in the Bible, "don't listen to secular music", but it does say things like "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things..." So, technically, as Christians, we are supposed to be honoring God with everything we do, including what music we choose to listen to.

Answer 10

Anything can become an idol when it comes between you and God. Loving music is fine, loving anything more than God is not. If your friend believes musical abstinance the best way to stay clear of idolatry then I applaud her ability to give it up. Everyone will have their own struggles with things not expressly forbidden in the Bible, and they have to deal with those as God instructs them. No thing is inherently evil; it all depends on how it is used, whether it draws you closer or pushes you farther from God.