WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT MUSIC?

Pastor James J. Barker

Text: EPHESIANS 5:18-20; COLOSSIANS 3:16,17



INTRODUCTION:


  1. There are more than 500 references to music in the Bible.
  2. As a pastor I can tell you that we can preach our hearts out against bad music, specifically rock music, and yet many people are not sure what we mean.
  3. Why is that? For one thing, it is not always easy to determine what is "good" music, i.e. music that blesses people, music that is honoring to God. And it is not always easy to determine what is "bad" music, i.e. music that appeals to our sinful fleshy appetites. I am speaking now of worldly, carnal music.
  4. Now oftentimes it is very easy to differentiate the good from the bad. When you go to church and hear the piano and organ, and a congregation of joyous saints stand up and sing, "Holy, Holy, Holy" or "There is a Fountain Filled With Blood," you know you are hearing good, Christ-exalting music.
  5. On the other hand, when you walk into a supermarket or a restaurant and hear some loud, demon-possessed maniac shrieking some nonsensical garbage, off-key and slurring his words, and so on, you know you are hearing something right from the pit of the very pit of hell.
  6. Do you remember when our troops were trying to force Manuel Noriega, the Panamanian dictator, out of hiding. They blasted loud rock music at him non-stop till he could not take it any more. What torture!
  7. Unfortunately most "CCM" ("Christian rock") music fits this description.
  8. Now I realize that sometimes it is a matter of taste. For example, some northern churches do not like southern style Gospel music, whereas down south it is standard in many churches. Some churches do not like Gospel choruses like "This Is The Day That The Lord Hath Made" and "Seek Ye First The Kingdom Of God," while other churches sing them all the time.
  9. We need to seek the mind of Christ to know where to draw the line.
  10. Music affects our behaviour and our way of thinking. We need to be very careful in what we listen to and what we allow our children to listen to. Just because your child bought a tape or a CD at a so-called Christian bookstore doesn’t mean the performers are genuine Christians. Many CCM performers use the CMM market to make money but they have no testimony for the Lord. Many of them are not saved. And many of them, such as Amy Grant, even "cross over" to the secular rock and roll market. That ought to tell you something.
  11. Approximately 400 BC, the Greek philosopher Plato wrote: "If one listens to the wrong kind of music, he will become the wrong kind of person."
  12. Unfortunately, most people today are listening to the wrong kind of music – whether it be carnal rock music, violent rap, worldly CMM, etc.
  13. I am not saying that all secular music is unacceptable for Christians. For example, once in a while my wife or one of my children will put on Bach before we sit down to dinner, or we will listen to a classical station in the car, and so forth. Classical music can be very soothing and relaxing.
  14. However, most secular music today – whether it is hard rock, soft rock, easy-listening rock, jazz, rhythm and blues, or whatever you want to call it, is not soothing and relaxing. It is nothing but the devil’s trash and unfortunately it has invaded our homes and even our churches.
  15. It breaks my heart when I hear reports that fundamental churches that once took a stand against worldliness and compromise are now going along with the rock beat.
  16. There are many reasons for this. Part of the problem is that many Christians listened to this garbage before they were saved and now they do not want to give it up. But it should be given up just like you would give up cigarettes, alcohol, and other bad habits. And by the way, rock music is just as addictive as hard drugs. AND JUST AS BAD FOR YOU.
  17. Another problem is that there are too many weak-kneed, wishy-washy, namby-pamby preachers who are going along with the rock sound because they don’t have any backbone. These men ought to be ashamed of themselves. They ought to get out of the ministry.
  18. Let me try and give you some characteristics of good music.
  1. CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD MUSIC
    1. The music must have unity (cf. II Chron.5:12-14). Modern music is characterized by chaos, disorder, confusion, ugliness, etc. (e.g. MTV on cable TV).
    2. People should praise God through music. One thinks of Handel’s Messiah, the majestic hymns of Charles Wesley and Isaac Watts, etc. But most music today does not praise God, but only serves to please the world, the flesh, and the devil (II Chron.5:13).
    3. Today’s CMM, with its shallow lyrics and rock beat does not bring glory to God. It only appeals to the flesh.
    4. The book of Psalms was the songbook for Israel (cf. Ps.7:17; 18:49; 21:13; 27:6; 47:6,7 – note: "with understanding." This is impossible to do if you cannot understand the words to the song; 68:4,32; 100:1,2; 146:2; 147:1,7; 149:1,3,5; 150:3-6).
    5. Another important characteristic: the music should be joyful (Ps. 98:4-8).
      1. For example, rap is not joyful – it is about hatred, violence, rebellion, lust, etc. It is ugly and violent.
      2. Rap is all about the pleasures of sin. How any church (e.g. Liberty in Lynchburg) can promote this type of garbage is more than I can understand (cf. Ps.98:1).
    1. The music should be refreshing (I Sam.16:23). Good music is soothing and drives away evil spirits. But rock music with its jungle beat attracts evil spirits. And many rock performers are indwelt by devils. They even flaunt it with "666" and pentagrams and other occult symbols all over their album covers.
    2. You have probably heard of Marilyn Manson and his record, "Antichrist Superstar."
    3. Good music teaches and admonishes (Col.3:16). When I was a new convert I learned good doctrine from the great old hymns of the faith. These hymns strengthen us and encourage us.
    4. Rock music has a message also. But what is it teaching? It is promoting promiscuous sex, drugs, anti-social behaviour, disrespect for parents and other authorities. It is anti-Christ, anti-Bible and anti-church.
    5. I remember when Bill Clinton became president. At his inauguration they kept playing a song by Fleetwood Mac called "Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow." Fleetwood Mac is a band that has been involved in witchcraft for a long time. I said to myself, "Well, we now have our first hippie, rock and roll president. God help our country!" Think about it. President Clinton who is a big rock-and-roller, is a pot-smoking, draft-dodging, pro-Communist, lying, lascivious whoremonger. God help our country!
  1. QUESTIONS CHRISTIANS NEED TO ASK ABOUT MUSIC
    1. Does this music glorify God? (I Cor.10:31; Phil.4:8).
    2. Is this music sensual? (Rom.13:14; 12:1,2).
    3. Is this music worldly? (James 4:4; I John 2:15-17).
    4. What about the performers? Are they truly saved? Are they living right? For example, Johnny Cash professes to be a Christian but he still drinks, does drugs, sings in nightclubs, etc. Pat Boone recently made a "heavy-metal" record. Amy Grant poses semi-nude, drinks beer, etc. Sandy Patti is an adulteress, etc.
    5. Music (without the lyrics) communicates a powerful message (Ex.32:17-25). What is the message you are listening to?
    6. Could this music cause others to stumble? (Rom.14:7,13,16,21).
    7. Does this music hinder your Christian testimony? (I Thess.5:22).

CONCLUSION:

  1. Music is a powerful force – for either good or evil (cf. II Kings 3:15).
  2. Remember that Lucifer was the first musician (Ezek.28:13).
  3. In heaven we will sing praises to God (Rev.5:8ff). You can be sure it will not be worldly rock music. So you might as well start listening to the right kind of music now.
  4. Radio listener, rock music (CMM or secular) will hinder you spiritually and maybe even mess up your mind. If you have been listening to it, you need to repent and ask God to forgive you.

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