Secular music

[Wired 4 Fishen]

By secular, do we mean everything that is not religious?

Bach's Magnificat and St Matthew's Passion are Christian and good to listen to, but his Cello suites and Brandenburg concertos are secular, and therefore to be avoided?

Protect what you allow into your mind for what's in your mind will make it to your heart.

It's not that music is secular that one needs to be concerned with but what is being said is the concern.

Blessings

 

[amadeus2]

I listen to some secular music, albeit with some boundaries. There are some bands that I no longer listen to at all because of the content. I am aware that some of my brethren are weaker in this than I, and I try to be careful not to cause them to stumble on account of me.

This is known as growth toward God. Don't let it end there. You should be growing until you have no more time left.

 

[amadeus2]

By secular, do we mean everything that is not religious?

Bach's Magnificat and St Matthew's Passion are Christian and good to listen to, but his Cello suites and Brandenburg concertos are secular, and therefore to be avoided?

It is what pleases or displeases God that matters. He made all things "very good" [Gen 1:31] and if we use what He has made in the manner that He intended, we will be OK. God certainly wants us to enjoy His creation. It is man following his own heart and leaving God out that gets him into trouble.

Consider playing a game of baseball. It might be called secular, but if our heart still is turned always toward God even as we are playing the game it is certainly still "very good". We know that at times baseball is not very good because of poor sportsmanship or selfish motives being lifted higher than God's way of doing it. We must watch out own spirit and even when enjoying a good ballgame keep God at the top of our heart.

Same would go for music. I am also at least an amateur musician. I play all kinds of music on the piano and harmonica when I am alone, but some I do avoid some music even when I am alone. But don't let my guidelines be yours. Something that would tempt me to sin might not tempt you and vice versa. That is between you and God. With this we should also keep in mind how we may appear to our brother who looks to us for a good example.

 

[Robb]

Many Christian songs are not biblical in my opinion if you really look at the lyrics. Many gateway or hillsong songs are great musically but oppose the gospel. I listen to both but I try to be discerning with the lyrics. Some Christian bands I like are third day, disciple, demon hunter, casting crowns.

 

[Christ4Ever]

@amadeus2
Would you then say that the "tool" is neither good nor bad until the purpose/use becomes known? Even then it's not the tool, but the user that is culpable?

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
<><

 

[amadeus2]

@amadeus2
Would you then say that the "tool" is neither good nor bad until the purpose/use becomes known? Even then it's not the tool, but the user that is culpable?

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
<><

It is what is in the heart. Of course, the some tools may not have a good or proper use. Most tools however do have a good or proper way to use them. Normally, it would not be our place to stand in judgement on how another person used something anyway. I say, usually, because sometimes the person has asked us for our input and/or sometimes God may have nudged to get involved. As you say however, the fault if there is any fault will be in the person even if the tool has no good or proper use according to God.

 

[Wired 4 Fishen]

Words, Words, Words
That's the DANGER in some music.

What you allow into your mind directly influences on how you view things.
Blessings to you

 

[Mari N.]

Quite a few people said that they listen to both, but I personally prefer Christian music and only listen to secular music if a friend puts it on and as long as it is not dishonoring to the Lord. You may be thinking that if it's secular, it's not honoring to God, but it may not be rapping about girls' bodies either, so it may be in the middle. Mickey Mouse Club House isn't a Christian song, but it's clean...I don't listen to it, that was just the song that popped into my head haha.

 

[ChrissyCat]

I listen to both secular and Christian. I am a big fan of metal/hard rock. If I don't like the message I won't listen to it. Some bands/songs I refuse to listen to. As for Christian music, I like all types pretty much.

 

[NYQueens977]

I grew up listening to old school hip hop and rnb, so Jay Z, Naz, the Fugees, Alicia Keys, Keyshia Cole, Neyo, Beyonce, ect. So my taste has always gravitated more towards that genre. I attended a Christian school for a few years, so all I listened to was Christian music, like Toby Mac, Hillsong, Mandisa, and so on. After leaving that place, I came to largely dislike Christian music because it all sounds the same to me, and old hymms aren't really my style. There are a select few songs that I'll listen to from the Christian genre, like "Hills and Valleys" and I think the mashup between "You Say" by lauren daigel and "secrets" by One republic is pretty cool, but other then that I can't really stand christian music. Now a days I would listen to pretty much anything except Christian music and a few artists like Justin Beiber, Lizzo, Taylor Swift, etc.

 

[Christ4Ever]

I grew up listening to old school hip hop and rnb, so Jay Z, Naz, the Fugees, Alicia Keys, Keyshia Cole, Neyo, Beyonce, ect. So my taste has always gravitated more towards that genre. I attended a Christian school for a few years, so all I listened to was Christian music, like Toby Mac, Hillsong, Mandisa, and so on. After leaving that place, I came to largely dislike Christian music because it all sounds the same to me, and old hymms aren't really my style. There are a select few songs that I'll listen to from the Christian genre, like "Hills and Valleys" and I think the mashup between "You Say" by lauren daigel and "secrets" by One republic is pretty cool, but other then that I can't really stand christian music. Now a days I would listen to pretty much anything except Christian music and a few artists like Justin Beiber, Lizzo, Taylor Swift, etc.

Hello NYQueens977,
I'm curious. It appears that it's the style/rhythm of the music is what makes the difference for you. How much affect does the lyrics have to do on whether you listen to it or not?

By the way. I'm an old Bklyn person myself.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
<><

 

[NYQueens977]

Hello NYQueens977,
I'm curious. It appears that it's the style/rhythm of the music is what makes the difference for you. How much affect does the lyrics have to do on whether you listen to it or not?

By the way. I'm an old Bklyn person myself.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
<><

Hey Brklyn! I actually don't mind the lyrics if they're creatively put together and the quality of voice when singing them. Like in hills in valleys, I like the way Tauren Wells does rifts with his voice, and I like the story telling aspect of his song. I don't like songs that repeat themselves repeatedly, like Hillsong and other worship songs. I get that it's supposed to put you in a meditative state, but it's not my thing. To be fair, I also don't like the song "Work" by Rihanna or "Yummy" by Justin Beiber for the same reason.

 

[gorejos]

I listen to Christian mainly like Jeremy Camp and Secular all over except Rap.