Hard Rock to Hymns

First, let me say that I’ve been on both sides of the Christian music listening spectrum. At one time I liked Christian hard rock. Then I began to feel guilty, so I made a big switch to HYMNS! Now I think I’ve finally found a healthy, spiritual balance.

The first question we should ask about music is not “What is wrong with it?”, but “What is right with it?” Does it encourage us towards a deeper walk with God and righteous living, or does it feed our fleshly desires? We must be committed to living out God’s best for us before we can rationally examine the music we enjoy.

So, how can we recognize wrong music? Since secular rock is dominated by rebellion and sensuality, it is clearly wrong. As for the rest of secular music that isn’t openly evil, spending God’s time on?

I have observed that most Christian rock and contemporary songs focus on peoples’ experiences and not on Christ. This is not all bad; but when lyrics are focusing on human trials, they cause a heaviness that God doesn’t want us to live under. On the instrumental side: even much Christian rock has a sensual and rebellious beat. Both a sensual beat and the imbalanced human focus must be rejected.

I believe good Christian music communicates God’s truth and glorifies His character. Very few Christian contemporary artists consistently do this in their lyrics. Hymns almost always do.

There are some energetic contemporary songs that have a healthy spiritual influence. Look to distinguish energy toward God from fleshly sensuality. If you need help evaluating a song’s effect on you, here is an idea. Ask a godly adult to watch you while you listen to the song. Allow yourself to “vibrate” with the song. Ask the adult if they thought you were acting rebellious, sensual, or ungodly. Be open to their opinion.

Evil is rushing in like a flood in our day, and our spirits must be made strong to withstand the pressure and probable persecution. We will wish we hadn’t fooled around in fleshly music when we should have been strengthening ourselves with Godly music. Music is powerful, and we can grow a great deal from the right kind if we have the courage to make the hard choices.

Lori Hainline - OR

Christian Music Only

Hi, my name is Keith, and music is a big part of my life. Before I was saved, I listened to about anything that was on the radio. I listened to the radio while I was working, playing, riding in the car, etc. Then, when we got cable on our TV, I tuned into MTV. Some days, in the summer, I would watch all day!

My parents became Christians in 1989. When my Dad became a Christian, he threw away all of his old records and stuff. I was surprised! He even threw away some of my tapes and records. Not long after that, I became a Christian. I didn’t think much about the music I listened to then, but as I learned more and more about God I decided to make some changes. I threw away the rest of my tapes and started over.

When I did all this, I didn’t know that there was Christian music out there. Whenever I thought about “Christian Music”, I thought of a choir on tape! I didn’t think there was anything I’d listen to.

One day my parents went to a concert at our church. I didn’t go because I thought it would be stupid. When they came home, we listened to a tape that they bought at the concert. I liked it, and asked people where I could buy Christian music.

I found out that many Christian bookstores and catalogues carry music. There is anything from Inspirational to Heavy Metal. There is Pop/Rock, Dance music, EQIk., Alternative-Progressive music, etc. Now all 1 listen to is Christian music. I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything. All I could be missing out on are songs about sex, violence, and distorted views on God, the Bible and love.

While not all secular music is bad, I strongly recommend Christian music to anybody.

Keith Sherwood

Positive Message

I think any music is okay as long as it has a positive message. I listen to any music (hard habit to break). I always try to listen to “good” music!

Donna Cardone - Cocoa, FL

Does It Edify?

I am a fifteen-year-old home schooler, and at a time when most of my friends have their “own music” I have taken a stand in the quality of music I allow into my heart. My standard is not “no drums” or “good words” or “not that artist”, but rather: Is this music 1) edifying, and 2) different from the world’s?

My dictionary defines “edify” as to ‘build up or strengthen in faith or morals’. To each individual the ability of certain types of music to edify them will vary, although some things are pretty clear-cut. For instance, screaming heavy metal is not exactly edifying! But, because the personal “edifying levels” differ so greatly, I base my standard more firmly in #2: is my music different from the world’s?

In II Corinthians 6:17, God’s Word says to “Come out from among them and be ye separate...” The lost world is craving the opportunity to see a difference between themselves and Christians! They must see a difference to want to be like Christ. But how can they even want to change if we are’ externally the same? They see only our walk, and if that is not pure and separate, they will see no reason to be like us. Therefore it is our responsibility to show them a difference, so they can be changed.

Based on this principle, I choose music that the unsaved world would not listen to. I am careful to choose a music style that unsaved people cannot confuse with their own. I choose to be separate and attract attention for my Lord.

Sarah Crosby - Clerrnont, FL

DC Talk, Carman

I think that all music (Christian and non-Christian) is okay as long as it has a positive, good message. I say that if the music you listen to has a Christ-centered attitude, then that music is all right.

I personally don’t like hard Christian rock; I like to be able to hear the lyrics!! I enjoy listening to DCTalk, Carman, Michael W. Smith, and other contemporary Christian musicians.

Jessica C. Lyon

Party Till Ya Puke!

Regardless of whether the words are, “party till ya puke” or “Jesus loves me”, when the bass is so powerful that car alarms have been known to go off, do the words really make a difference? Okay, so now that the volume’s been turned down, find Out if the Christian words really have a message that glorifies God.

I believe the music itself should be tested as well. How will Christians be noticed if they look-and sound-just like the world? Even if I think the music is all right for me, I would hate to be the reason someone else stumbled in the faith. And yes, there is good music Out there. God never tells us what’s wrong without helping us find what is right.  “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think on such things.” Phil. 4:8

Will Humble - Bay City, TX

What Would Jesus Do?

My name is Laura, I’m 14 and in 8th grade. 1 have some friends who listen ‘to contemporary Christian music, but I feel that no matter what the message is in the music it doesn’t make it right.

Christian teens that listen to Christian rock, rap, or contemporary music have to ask themselves: “Would Jesus approve of this music if he were here?”

Laura Brooks - Flagstaff , AZ

Editor’s Note: Read Romans 14 to see how Christians should handle differences in conviction. In Paul’s day the debate was different, but the principle is still applicable.

Is rescuing right?

In the battle against abortion how far should Christians go to save the lives of the unborn? Is civil disobedience in God’s plan? Write your opinion, and back it up with scripture. Maximum length 400 words.