MUSIC AND CHRISTIANITY

[PASSUN4CHRIST]

I REALLY LOVE OLDIES R&B LIKE LUTHER VANDROSS AND ANITA BAKER... AS A CHRISTIAN CAN STILL LISTEN TO THE OLDIES BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW ALL I LISTEN TO ALL KINDS OF GOSPEL. BUT CAN LISTEN TO THE OLDIES R&B?

[deedee310]

My belief is that as Christians, people are allowed to listen to music as long as it is not vulgar. I consider myself a child of God and I don't feel convicted or guilty when I listen to secular music.My mother believes that Christians should not listen to secular music, but that is her walk with God. I believe that God deals with each and everyone of us differently when it comes to these issues.
I listen to a lot of Old School R&B and Old Rock and Roll and I believe that some of the music that is out is very evil, for example the music that is degrading to women, degrading to other people and full of violence and hate is pure evil. I know a lot of people would not agree with me, but I don't believe that love songs etc are evil. I still have not started listening to gospel music yet, I listen to a lot of CD's with gospel teaching on them though. It is just my opinion, but I believe that "people" added the rule that music is "of the devil" and we should not listen to it. My I believe that as followers of Christ we should use our common sense and pick and choose what secular music we listen to. Just my opinion.......

[PASSUN4CHRIST]

why havent you listened to gospel yet..

[becky brightwell]

I myself listen to all types of music,but from reading the scriptures the Bible does tell us that in everything we do,we should glorified him and we are to be different from the world and that means in every way. I listen to a lot of music like I said,you j should pick for yourself on how it makes you feel and if their is anything that would make others think less of your testimony..

[PASSUN4CHRIST]

o ok. i like the fact you gave me something from the bible and i remember my sister in Christ saying that as Christians we must glorify god in everything we do and if you think doing something will glorify god than you should do it but do you think you can get me the verse that says that. and what do you mean by if their is anything that would make others think less of your testimony

[becky brightwell]

here is a different verse that I think will help to understand even easier.
Phillippians 4 verse 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

[Bev]

What I have done is take each song I love and tear it apart.....if there are insinuations of anything that is not of God then to me it is not glorifying Him. For instance, songs that have a message of relationships out of marriage or that promote sex or that can be construed as anything that is not of God. If your mind wanders to anything other than it should then you must ask yourself what the song is promoting. Your Secret Love, She Saw You, Once We're Lovers, Creepin', all these songs by Luther have a message...is it a good one? Ultimately you must find in your heart where God wants you to be; if the music you listen to puts you there then go for it. If it doesn't or if it causes you to question then perhaps you should analyze it and find out why. More oft than not songs I have listened to have put me somewhere in thought.....if I am not comfortable with those thoughts as a Christian, I do not listen to that song anymore.

God bless you as you seek HIS will,
Bev

[Charles Burwell]

Bev

You are right on target with your comments. I am one who loves to listen to the 'oldies' channel out of Orlando. I consider that to be music to relax and reflect back on. The only problem, as you eluded to, is that a lot of things that these songs speak about are really nothing I , as a christian, need to be dwelling on.

I just finished a seven week job with the US census bureau that involved a lot of driving time. In fact a majority of my time seemed to be driving. I would have the ' oldies' station on because it had a more powerful signal and most christians stations, around here anyhow, don't have much. As I was spending a lot of time in the " backwoods and coastal sections of Citrus and Levy Counties I had very little choice of channels.
My point is , that as I listened to the songs of my teens and twenties my mind tended to drift back to my teens and twenties. I really had to start thinking about what I was listening to because this type of music formed the mentality that I had then and it brought me little but trouble.

I'm not saying the music was all evil , it's just that it turned my thoughts and attention from God back to the ways I used to think and act. It was like it was helping me remember only the enjoyable parts and not the bad, which very heavily outweighed the good.

Dear PASSIONFOR CHRIST
I will not attempt to tell you what music to listen too, simply because it is not my place . That's for you and God to sort. I just suggest you follow Bev's good advice and really think about what direction each song may be leading you toward. I believe that Becky was right on the money by suggesting the scripture in Phil. 4 : 8-9 as a guide .That scripture is about the best guidance I can recommend . It's the best advice for all of us.

God bless you ,my sister,as you seek to do the things that please Him.

[Bev]

Thanx Charles, I know from experience that our minds tend to follow certain tracks based on what we subject ourselves to. And where the mind is......

I know the areas you speak of.....does Levy county even have radio...hehehe.....my dad lives in Chiefland.

Peace and love in Christ,
Bev

[sharon bourgeois]

i like to listen to oldies too from the late 50s and 60s as long as it is not vulgur i think it is ok

[PASSUN4CHRIST]

that answer is deep. i like it and its true..