Concerned About My Friend

[1 holy 1]

I am really concerned about a friend of mine. He is 42 years old and still acts like a teenager. He has no girlfriend or wife and lives at home with his parents. My biggest worry is that he listens to heavy metal and punk rock music which i believe is making him anxious and depressed. He asks me what music he should listen to instead and i can't really answer as i am not a big music fan myself. I just tell him to listen to positive, happy music. Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated. God bless.

 

[AbbysAunt]

Hi 1 holy 1

I am 42 years old also and live at home with my parents. I have no boyfriend or husband currently but am very blessed and happy in my life. The music thing is a bit of concern I agree. Heavy metal and punk rock are not in my opinion the right kind of music to listen to at all. What we hear and see makes a huge impact on us and if we are listening to the kind of music that can take our eyes off of Jesus that is not a good thing because that gives satan a hole to worm his way through. They do make heavy metal christian music that speaks of Jesus and how He saves if that is the kind of music he listens to atleast maybe he can listen to this type and get a good message. Other great bands are Mercy Me, Casting Crowns for starters. I agree with you the music he listens to now probably are a large source of his anxious and depressed state. I will definately be praying for your friend and knowing that God has hand upon Him.

God blessings to you and to your friend
AA

 

[Christ4Ever]

I am really concerned about a friend of mine. He is 42 years old and still acts like a teenager. He has no girlfriend or wife and lives at home with his parents. My biggest worry is that he listens to heavy metal and punk rock music which i believe is making him anxious and depressed. He asks me what music he should listen to instead and i can't really answer as i am not a big music fan myself. I just tell him to listen to positive, happy music. Anyway, any advice would be greatly appreciated. God bless.

Hello 1 holy 1,
The problem is not the music. Regardless of what is being listened too, if one doesn't have Christ Jesus as ones Savior, then all the greatest listening music the world has to offer won't help him or anyone a bit. You don't state if the person is saved, but I'm assuming he is not. If he is then I apologize ahead of time, but the point should still be valid even in that case. Too often we try to change the person before they know Christ Jesus as their Savior. We're not called to clean them up before introducing them to the Gospel.

I used to listen to just about all the secular music available, and even after being saved, it took years before, I finally grew enough to realize that it wasn't uplifting or giving Glory to God in any way shape or form so I didn't need it in my life. So changing the music is not what moved me to the Lord, it was recognition that I was a sinner and needed a savior, that I repented, received His forgiveness, was baptized, and Born Again that in time with the Holy Spirit was able to change from the things of this world to the things that are "Out of this World"!!!! Which of cause includes music.

If your friend is saved, tell him to pray about it or even suggest he join TJ, because there are plenty of folks here that would suggest some good solid music to uplift and glorify! If not; praying for him and witnessing to him would be of greater benefit then suggesting a change of music.

Praying for your friend and for you as well.
C4E
Ephesians 5:19-20 [19] Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; [20] Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

 

[Strypes]

What Christ4Ever said...

If your friend is born again, and his music preference is heavy metal, I would suggest PETRA (Clean, Grave Robber, Get on your knees and fight like a Man) and Mylon Lefevre and Broken Heart (Freedom, I will Rejoice, It's Alright, The Warrior). They are some of the best Hard Rock Christian Bands.

More contemporary bands like Third Day (This is who I am, Creed, Come on Back to Me, I Believe), though their mainstream songs are quite mild, do have some songs that Rock!

You can find them on Youtube.

 

[1 holy 1]

Since I made this post things have gotten worse. My friend is still in the same position I described in the OP. But now he has fully embraced Atheism. He's told me he discovered a podcast by a former Christian radio presenter called Seth Andrews. This led him to a website called The Thinking Atheist which, I understand, is run by Mr Andrews.
I've tried talking to him but he just laughs and says religion is c**p. I did manage to persuade him to give up listening to Heavy Metal music for 2 weeks and just listen to pop.(Even though it was secular). He admitted that he did feel calmer and happier but just went back to listening to Heavy Metal again!
What can I do?

 

[Brad Huber]

As a non-believer, anything other than Christ can only be a temporary fix for his problems. Do you think you can work up a witness to include scripture to show how our carnal nature tends to lead to those problems, and How Christ can solve those problems for us?

 

[Christ4Ever]

Since I made this post things have gotten worse. My friend is still in the same position I described in the OP. But now he has fully embraced Atheism. He's told me he discovered a podcast by a former Christian radio presenter called Seth Andrews. This led him to a website called The Thinking Atheist which, I understand, is run by Mr Andrews.
I've tried talking to him but he just laughs and says religion is c**p. I did manage to persuade him to give up listening to Heavy Metal music for 2 weeks and just listen to pop.(Even though it was secular). He admitted that he did feel calmer and happier but just went back to listening to Heavy Metal again!
What can I do?

Keep praying for him. His change was never in your hands to begin with, but in the hands of God. That is why your continued prayer for your friend is beneficial (James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.)

Atheism is something that he will gravitate to, because it will allow your friend to do whatever he wants, without having to justify his actions.

With your friend as a last word on the subject, you should let him know that it's not about religion. It's about a relationship with Jesus Christ, who gave the greatest gift ever, by giving His lift for him, which shows how much He loves you and when you decide that the life you are now living is truly empty of any hope. Jesus Christ will still be waiting for you, with arms wide open. Give him a hug, a prayer if he will allow. Your not leaving your friend, you're turning him over to what he wants, and with fervent pray and the hope you know is there waiting, move on my brother. Then look for fellowship with those who like you are covered by the Blood of the Lamb.

One day he may come calling. How God moves is truly wonderful, though at times the road can be bump. Stay faithful!
YBIC
C4E
Off to work!