are immensely talented. Secular music can be very entertaining. There
are many secular songs that have catchy melodies, thoughtful insights,
and positive messages. In determining whether or not to listen to
secular music, there are three primary factors to consider: 1) the
purpose of music, 2) the style of music, and 3) the content of the
lyrics.
1) The purpose of music. Is music designed solely for worship, or did
God also intend music to be soothing and/or entertaining? The most
famous musician in the Bible, King David, primarily used music for the
purpose of worshipping God (see Psalm 4:1; 6:1, 54, 55; 61:1; 67:1;
76:1). However, when King Saul was tormented by evil spirits, he would
call on David to play the harp in order to soothe him (1 Samuel
16:14-23). The Israelites also used musical instruments to warn of
danger (Nehemiah 4:20) and to surprise their enemies (Judges 7:16-22).
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul instructs Christians to
encourage one another with music: "Speak to one another with psalms,
hymns and spiritual songs" (Ephesians 5:19). So, while the primary
purpose of music does seem to be worship, the Bible definitely allows
for other uses of music.
2) The style of music. Sadly, the issue of music styles can be very
divisive among Christians. There are Christians who adamantly demand
that no musical instruments be used. There are Christians who only
desire to sing the "old faithful" hymns. There are Christians who want
more upbeat and contemporary music. There are Christians who claim to
worship best in a "rock concert" type of environment. Instead of
recognizing these differences as personal preferences and cultural
distinctions, some Christians declare their preferred style of music
to be the only "biblical" one and declare all other forms of music to
be unwholesome, ungodly, or even satanic.
The Bible nowhere condemns any particular style of music. The Bible
nowhere declares any particular musical instrument to be ungodly. The
Bible mentions numerous kinds of string instruments and wind
instruments. While the Bible does not specifically mention drums, it
does mention other percussion instruments (Psalm 68:25; Ezra 3:10).
Nearly all of the forms of modern music are variations and/or
combinations of the same types of musical instruments, played at
different speeds or with heightened emphasis. There is no biblical
basis to declare any particular style of music to be ungodly or
outside of God's will.
3) The content of the lyrics. Since neither the purpose of music nor
the style of music determines whether a Christian should listen to
secular music, the content of the lyrics must be considered. While not
specifically speaking of music, Philippians 4:8 is an excellent guide
for musical lyrics: "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is
noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think
about such things." If we should be thinking about such things, surely
those are the things we should invite into our minds through music and
lyrics. Can the lyrics in a secular song be true, noble, right, pure,
lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy? If so, then there is
nothing wrong with a Christian listening to a secular song of that
nature.
However, much of secular music does not meet the standard of
Philippians 4:8. Secular music often promotes immorality and violence
while belittling purity and integrity. If a song glorifies what
opposes God, a Christian should not listen to it. However, there are
many secular songs with no mention of God that still uphold godly
values such as honesty, purity, and integrity. If a love song promotes
the sanctity of marriage and/or the purity of true love—even if it
does not mention God or the Bible—it can still be listened to and
enjoyed.
Whatever a person allows to occupy his mind will sooner or later
determine his speech and his actions. This is the premise behind
Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:2, 5: establishing wholesome thought
patterns. Second Corinthians 10:5 says we should "take captive every
thought and make it obedient to Christ." These Scriptures give a clear
picture of the kind of music we should not listen to.
Obviously, the best kind of music is that which praises and glorifies
God. Talented Christian musicians work in nearly every musical genre,
ranging from classical to rock, rap, and reggae. There is nothing
inherently wrong with any particular style of music. It is the lyrics
that determine whether a song is "acceptable" for a Christian to
listen to. If anything leads you to think about or get involved in
something that does not glorify God, it should be avoided.
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