“The flesh says ‘what’s wrong with it?’ But the Spirit says ‘what’s good about it?’” - someone wiser than me

This is brilliant because it also applies in the reverse order: if a "Christian" song has an unbiblical and deceitful message, it doesn't matter if it belongs to the genre of "worship songs", you shouldn't listen to it any more than you should listen to secular music with a bad message.

“Sometimes it troubles me, the number of people that can quote my songs or other artists, but they can’t quote the scriptures. As if anything a musician says is even worth listening to…” -Rich Mullins

My taste in music has totally changed, and it didnt happen because I wanted to make a change, God did it. He refined my spirit. I stopped watching TV too. It's really weird, but Hes doing a mighty work in me, and I'm along for the ride, praising Him, and I'm loving every minute of it!

Bach signed all of his scores “Soli Deo Gloria” instead of with his own name. You’re good with Bach. 😂

Whatever music you listen to, guard your hearts, and bring your thoughts in submission to God and his Word.

Exactly right. The message is what matters. I play music six days a week now and over the years as my convictions have become stronger, I've changed my set list drastically to include only songs with messages I think God would abide

I was praying and fasting in Nevada and I told God I wasn't feeling it, I was down and a little depressed. I awake in the morning and 3 little sparrows landed on my van, one on the windshield wiper, one in side mirror, and one on my antenna. I say nice God's little creatures and didn't think twice. A few hours later I had an epiphany, THREE LITTLE BIRDS, by Bob Marley, which I new how to play on my acoustic guitar. DON'T WORRY ABOUT A THING CAUSE EVERY THING IS GONNA BE ALRIGHT ROSE UP THIS MORNING RISE WITH THE MORNING SUN THREE LITTLE BIRDS PERCHED ON MY DOOR STEP SINGING SWEET SONGS OF MELODIES PURE AND TRUE THIS IS MY MESSAGE TO YOU...oooooh DONT WORRY I Said thks Lord and jammed the tune on my guitar.❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉😂

God encouraged me about 2 months ago to cleanse from secular music && it has changed my life. I never realized the emotional influence I was under - a lot of the artist I listened to were the reason for my depression, anxiety, hopelessness && spiritual isolation. The lyrics had me paralyzed && damaged my spirit. God knew exactly what I needed to eliminate so I could walk freely in His presence rather than being influenced by emotions && constantly hurting myself. Be careful with lyrics - some lyrics are meant to keep you in bondage.

You’ve got a friend in me 🎶 😂 True though. I had to step away from secular music entirely for a while. Now I’m at the point where I can clearly know what to listen to or not, secular or not.

in my first confession, i asked the priest a question and i mentioned that i knew all secular music was evil, he calmly said to me, in a not rude manner, "no it isnt". i had abandoned so much music that i liked because i thought it was all evil. driving home that evening, i listened to some really great songs that i hadnt heard in a long time.

In a way you just answered a question I've struggled with for 35 year's. Who ever u are, God Bless you!

Sometimes I miss ACDC but I am no longer on the Highway to Hell.

When my husband and I turned back to God we deleted most of our secular music because it was associated with our sinful past. We don't think it's inherently sinful but we are growing in our walk with God and are being made new, in that process of refinement we had to let all our idols go. For my husband an idol was music. It was like a part of him. He even put up posters of led zeppelin. He took those down and put up Christian posters.

If you cannot even listen to music without questioning your faith, you have a problem.

It makes me think of Black Sabbath "Children of the grave". A very rythmic sound I play with my band, and I was wondering if it beared some "satanic " connotation. Then I took some time to read the lyrics and I changed my mind. "So, you children of the world Listen to what I say If you want a better place to live in Spread the word today Show the world that love is still alive, you must be brave"

tbh, I listen to a lot of Christian artists, even if their music isn't necessarily Christian, but I listen to a few bands that are definitely not Christian, but little do they realize that I find a Christian parallel to the things they sing about most of the time. Truth reveals itself in secular life, because it's true... and finding those parallels is what helps solidify my faith.

I agree. About 17 or 18 years ago, the Lord drew me away from all secular music. He wanted to get my attention and apply my songwriting and singing efforts toward writing worship music for Him. It was an awesome season of Him showing me how important it is to guard what goes into my eyes, ears, and even mouth. Since, He has allowed me to listen to secular music with indifferent or uplifting messages.

Normally when I listen to secular music, I focus more on the beats and the notes played rather than in depth meaning of the song, it helps to not get dragged into it.

This is why I had to delete most of my music 😔 some people couldn't understand my reason but it's because it was an idol and most of the messages were keeping me enslaved to my emotions. I needed to depend more on God to be closer to Him. It was also wavering my faith

Handel's Messiah is a good listen. And Bach ofcourse, a devout Christian. 🤗🕯️

Yes! I think the message is the most important, But Also be careful of the beat, sometimes if the sound and beat makes you ignore the message, and causes your flesh to rise up with unholy desires that sound should be avoided as well.

I am a Christian metalhead

As a child I was taught “If it’s not uplifting God, you shouldn’t be listening to it.” And I would think to myself “What about the ABC song, Old McDonald, THE MUFFIN MAN!?!?” It was confusing to me as a child. My children listen to “secular music” now. The phonics song and lots of Frozen songs lol

I also think it's important to look to the music artist you're listening to. Sometimes the message of the song isn't wicked but if you watch the music video it can be surprising to see what they're showing. Just a thought 🤷🏼‍♂️

I had the same realization! I do still avoid most music put out by people who don’t love Jesus, only because music used to be a strong gateway to bad worldviews for me.

As a Filipino, I can I easily pick a secular song that doesn't contain obscure and rude music. Filipino message is about love, friendship and happiness

WE ARE GLAD THAT YOU WOKE UP! Good morning!

All music is delivering a message. Always look at the message.

I listen to a lot of instrumental music like improv jazz or orchestra type music. That can be good to listen to too. Who knew Japan had an explosion of jazz in the 70s?

Mike, I have an angle on this from how I was brought up. My dad refused to let me listen to anything but Classical music because he was convinced that secular music was full of sex and violence. But then I listened to some opera, and let me tell you: opera can be full of adultery, sex, and violence as well, but it's all in Italian. So really, the message can be good or bad regardless of what genre the music is in.

Music has no moral component, but lyrics can be evil. Music alone has emotional components and stirs up certain moods and ideas in people, so it has to be used wisely and appropriately, but its not evil ever.

What I don't like about modern Christian music is that a lot of it is "all about me" and there is often no real message.

Thankfully I've never cared about lyrics, so most of the stuff that I listen to is only instrumental, therefore I am able to assign and associate my preferred subject matter to it without having to compromise anything. God Bless everyone who may be struggling with this issue. The fact that there is an inner struggle, shows the work of the holy spirit in you. Keep growing in faith and in Christ!

To the pure, all things are pure. This means that even if a song fell into the group of secular music, unless it’s lyrics are blasphemous, wicked, evil, or immoral -then it’s simply a song. In some instances there are secular songs, written about Love, that glorify Jesus. Especially when a listener understands that the type of love being expressed, could only originate through Jesus. I have many secular songs on my playlist that bring me to a place of worship. _my baptist friends don’t understand._

I do want to share, that though not all of it is “evil” it was one of the things The Lord had me toss out. I amassed a playlist that was +4000 songs strong, if it sounded good, I had it, all genres. Now I just want to amass as Much Christian music that is Christ-centric, Full of the word and Holy Spirit filled. The toss out, was pivotal, incredibly painful, but to this day remains one of those things I thank Jesus Christ for. ❤

Some "Christian Music" has a heretical message. Why would that surprise us? The great deceiver deceives. Don't go on a crusade, be intentional, live your faith. Don't over think or under think it, think intelligently, spiritually and be sensitive to the effect on you. Don't confuse being calm and intentional with being complacent. Nuff said

I understand the conflicts of classical music. Many people from that time engaged in esoteric behavior and some claimed to make deals with demons for their talent.

I have a question. What if the music is not ungodly, but is neutral, BUT the message isn't positive either. What if it's a depressing or sad message?

When I was younger, I fought my family for years to understand this. My preferred music at the time was classical and movie scores, and my family had the attitude that if it wasn't expressly "Christian" then it was "evil." I came home from work one day and my sister had destroyed dozens of my classical CD collection. Thankfully, they've grown out of this belief.

That's exactly where I am with this now, 14 years into my walk. But you need to let people's consciences guide them. I think that for the sake of my own spiritual safety, I needed to steer clear of much secular music for many years, music that I can enjoy now, no problem. There's no hard and fast rule here. Spirit guides us where we need to go.

If it leads to temptation, if it invokes old sinful thoughts, if it sows seeds leading into temptation, if it contains speech ungodly and of no benefit to your upbringing in holiness, if it lack any character reflecting God, if it sparks thoughts that exalt themselves above the knowledgeof God, if it changes who God is in your sight, if it goes against the messageof the Bible, if it profanes the things of God, if it changes who God is building you up to be.... reject it.

I enjoy a lot of electronic music, edm, trance, synthwave, etc. and one thing I particularly love about it is that there are few lyrics to worry about. However, there have been some that use demonic imagery, and I try to weed those out. There have been a few songs that sound awesome but I sadly have to remove them from my playlists due to unfortunate lyrics. Also, I should note that some dark imagery doesn't appear to be demonic, so just because there's a red hellscape on the album doesn't mean that it is necessarily evil. It probably is, but thats not a guarantee.

This is incredibly insightful.. it’s all resonance based.. there are certain moments that call for influences that either bring you up or level you by grounding you back to equilibrium and health.

"Let me make the songs of a nation, and I care not who makes it's laws". Andrew Fletcher I heard that quote. The words we sing are very important in our walk with God.

I found it pretty funny that he mentioned Bach and then said "counterparts." Bach is famous for writing "counterpoint" music.

That's part of why I prefer orchestral/instrumental music. There's no message to worry about, just pure emotions being conveyed

The Song, "Be careful little eyes what you see" explains it all.

So true! In addition to the lyrics and message, I think the intent & spirit behind the music matters, too. Great points & thankful for your ministry

I almost got legalistic with the type of Christian music I allowed myself to listen to! While I may not always agree with the wording of the lyrics 100% of the time, I let my conscience decide whether or not to listen to certain music. If it violates my conscience, I avoid that song, and I try to support Christian artists with listening to the songs that don't violate my conscience. The same basic thing goes for secular music. There is some secular music I just like and it doesn't violate my conscience or the bible, so I listen from time to time. I am so thankful for the freedom we have in Christ 💓 I can enjoy music to His glory. I thank Him for the music and the artists that produce music that is clean for me to listen to.

Some lyrics are really golden. 1. You can't get what you want; til you know what you want. (Healthy relationships, for example) 2. Love will find a way; if you want it to. (Don't give up on learning, patience with others) 3. Just what you want to be; you will be in the end. (regarding character)

Amen!! My experience also!! I love how Holy Spirit guides and teaches us!! Hallelujah! When I listen to music, the Spirit teaches me to discern AND has even used certain secular lyrics to speak to me in the moment. It can be a quite BEAUTIFUL and INTIMATE moment communing in the Spirit. ❤

Lmao, I was called "Emo" for actually listening to the words and the message of the song when I was younger. It's funny that doing it got me made fun of and now I am being told to do it. 😆 That being said, it's strange cuz I don't enjoy music the way I used to. (I still like it, but it was my life at one loooong point before being saved) God has granted me discernment when it comes to music and it's lyrics. Songs I used to enjoy ring hollow when you can discern the place of origin in it's lyrics. I don't know how to explain without giving examples, and I don't want to offend people by tearing down their fave song or artist. But where a song was a beautiful and catchy let's-stick-together-type song in my past, now I am hearing the "please, I know we have an extremely unhealthy relationship, but I'm afraid to be alone" message behind it. Or a fun girl-empowerment song sounds like a "I have zero integrity, please validate me". Even christian songs aren't immune I hear the "I threw a bunch of spiritual sounding phrases together cuz the people that pay me say I need 3 more songs to make an album" I thank God for it, because music seems to skip your head and go straight to your heart, and my heart was WAAAY too into some pretty shady messages. Though it's not always convenient, cuz I still like the songs! 😄

Question: If the message must be "positive," what constitutes a "positive message"? I know a lot of music that I enjoy is often dark or contemplative, but there's a catharsis in that. For example, the song "Audience of One" by Rise Against is about losing connections as you grow older, a fear I'm sure everyone experiences. The song provides a bit of relief from that feeling by confronting it. It's a positive effect from a song without a positive message. And what about negative songs that are depicting or about a character? Would listening to something like "Be Prepared" from the Lion King be forbidden as Scar is a villain with an evil intent?

Also for a bit of anecdote... I had a tough time as a kid growing up. I was bullied relentlessly and was always getting into trouble. I don't want to get too far into the weeds here, but for context I was born with chronic health conditions that made my childhood very difficult. I was constantly in the hospital and I was very small (I'm barely 5'7") as a result of my conditions which made me an easy target. Couple that with the trauma of all the medical procedures and surgeries combined with the side-effects of some of some of the treatments and medications, and you have a perfect recipe for early development of mental illness and social ostracization. I had very few friends growing up and even the ones I had were often "fair weather friends" who would turn their backs on me the moment I'd start getting pushed around. Some pretty bad stuff happened and needless to say I began harboring a lot of anger, resentment, self-loathing, and internalized shame. My psychosocial development was kind of a mess, and I was presenting all the signs of depression and such very early on. This was the 90s and early 2000s though, so it went mostly unaddressed or otherwise dismissed by my teachers and such. In middle school I finally began to find an outlet for all of that pain and angst in the form of music. It was my only escape. It also became quickly apparent that I had an affinity for alternative rock styles and metal. Fast forward a bit to 2003 - 2004 and I'm 13 - 14 years old in 8th grade, and I finally managed to find my stride. I transferred to a new school after having been stuck at the same one previously since kindergarten (K thru half of 8th grade), my parents had finally begun to realize that something was wrong and had started to listen to me, and I had finally established a super solid group of friends who I loved dearly and spent a lot of time with. However such things are not meant to last, and shortly into the second semester of 8th grade my father lost his long-time job due to cutbacks and a new duplicitous department manager who was absolutely out of his mind. He did his best to find other work in the area, but the market was kinda trash at the time and we were blowing through all of our savings faster each month. By the end of 8th grade my parents broke the news to me that we'd be moving across the country by the end of the summer, ripping me up from the only home I'd ever known and 1000 miles away from everything I loved and cared about. Everyone said "you'll be fine, you're going to high school so no one knows eachother!"; yeah maybe at a public school, but I was enrolled in a parochial high school where everyone is coming from the Lutheran grade schools in the area, so everyone knows eachother already and has there pre-established friend groups. So now I'm 1000 miles away from home in a strange place and once again an outsider, the weird kid from Georgia with the goofy accent. I tried to make friends, but ultimately my mental health spiraled as a result of the move and I began retreating into myself before long. Once again my only real saving grace was music, specifically metal, and the hope that one day I'd move back home. High schools was especially problematic, and I ended up falling into what some might call the "wrong" crowd and getting into my share of trouble. Mostly typical teenager stuff in retrospect, but my poor metal health and dabbling in petty narcotics combined with some extensive orthopedic surgeries in my sophomore year (not to mention the litany of other periods I was exposed to powerful opioids throughout my childhood due to more than 40 surgical procedures and the like which began before I was even born) did lead to developing a substance abuse/dependence issue that I would proceed to struggle with well on into my mid 20s, but that's another story entirely. In any case, music remained a constant source of strength and hope for me, providing me a light in the darkness when all other lights had been snuffed out. That being said though, my parents being of a rather traditional/conservative leaning didn't always see it that way, so during my high school years they went through a period of attempting to restrict my access to the music that I enjoyed so much in an effort to prevent further exposure to any perceived "unsavory" elements that might be negatively influencing my behavior and/or values. To them, my "negative outlook" and "rebellious attitude" was a result of the burnout friends I had been keeping and the "dangerous" music I was listening to, so they started limiting who I could hang out with and talk to and confiscated my entire collection of CDs and my shitty little MP3 player. In reality this was literally the absolute worst and dumbest thing they could have possibly done because all they did was deprive me of the two things that offered me any sense of solace or belonging while forcing further repression in an already respressive existence, and basic psychology 101 will tell you that repression only encourages and forces further rebellion and feelings of resentment. So even though I had been raised in a practicing Christian home and had my faith initially, I became even more angry and started directing all of that hate and bitterness towards all of the authority figures in my life including God and the church. I absolutely hated God and the very concept of Christianity. I began actively trying to do anything and everything to distance myself from religion and to appear as unapproachable and anti-Christian as I could in an effort to get expelled from my Lutheran High School while making everyone around me feel as small and uncomfortable as possible. I hated God and the church and I wanted everyone to know it, and I also wanted them to know how stupid and naive I felt they were for not thinking for themselves. In short I was quite the quintessential elitist edgelord and it was all very cliché, but at the time my feelings made sense given the circumstances. In hindsight very cringe and silly indeed, but in the moment understandable. What I needed was some better mental healthcare and some parents who were more like they are today (mom and dad are very different now compared to back then, still practicing Christians and active with the church and everything but more informed and far less dogmatically puritanical than they were back then). It took a long time for me to work all of that crap out and make my peace with God; years of therapy, reflection, soul-searching, research, religious and theological exploration, self-discovery, blood, sweat, and tears, the whole nine. Long story short, I would eventually come back to God and my faith in my own way, developing a more of personal relationship than one mediated by a third party. These days I'm not really into the whole "church" or "organized religion" thing, but I am a Christian and I tend to turn to Scripture for most theological quandries while I also look to various forms of philosophy to resolve some of the more existential conundrums. Honestly I feel like that's the only way to do it, you have to let people come to faith on their own rather than forcing it upon them. Thats why I don't it's healthy nor beneficial to simply outright reject and/or repress anything that isn't blatantly "Christian" as evil or negative while exclusively surrounding oneself with people, things, and ideas that conform to one's worldview and beliefs. If you don't possess the intellectual honesty, self-awareness, and courage to challenge and question your beliefs on a regular basis, then why even hold them to begin with? If you're truly incapable of facing any challenging/differing beliefs to your own, then you've got to ask yourself if you really even hold them to be true on a fundamental level and whether or not they're worth sticking to. If one's faith can be shaken or displaced so readily and easily, was their faith ever that strong in the first place? Never pass up an opportunity to grow and develop in the Lord on an individually personal level...

Bach was the first Contemporary Christian Music superstar.

I would say that a large chunck of secular music (especially pop) is influenced by evil. But as a trained musician, it pains me to hear someone conflate Bach and Mozart with the generalized term ‘secular music.’ Even if it’s in a retrospective way. To say that is just as silly as saying “it’s just music” about a Lil Nas X song.

i agree! i had a friend who “only listens to christian music” but some of that music isn’t necessarily glorifying God even though it was produced by and marketed as christian. one of the artists we both listen to made a christmas song, but instead of it being about the miracle of Jesus’s birth, it was about not fighting because it’s christmas. which any artist could have sung the song and it wouldn’t really change it. like it talks about santa more than Jesus. and you could get the same message by saying “because we are christians we should put aside our differences and celebrate the miraculous birth of our savior.” but it’s focused on jesus and not on the traditions of man. also i’m not saying the message of the song is wrong or wicked, but that it is not about christ just because it has christmas in the name, and it shouldn’t be advertised as a new christian song. another thing, i’m a bass player (although i’m still learning). christian music is almost too easy for bass players, and so it’s hard to grow my talent if i’m stuck with playing only christian music. i think christians should be mindful about what they watch and listen to, but that doesn’t mean cutting out all but one genre . or telling your friends that you won’t listen to charlie puths new song because you “only listen to christian music.” like listen to the song, if you have a problem with the artist or the lyrics, bring it up to your friend in a loving manner. there’s a good chance that the song isn’t even bad.

Went through this phase too where I was completely against listening to any secular music. That was when I was like 18/19. It was wrong to think in extremes like that. It really is about the message and whether the songs are morally sound. That said, I had idolized a band I liked for years without realising. God had to open my eyes to that and I had to put it away. I would spend much of my day listening to their stuff, watching videos and chatting on social media about them. When I started drawing close to God I was compelled to take down their posters, changed the background and ring tone on my phone, my phone case - their mark was almost everywhere. I was in WAY too deep.

The spirit of the music is not the words it's the melody ,the sound

I discovered so much freedom when I learned that music itself is amoral: there's nothing inherently moral or immoral about music. Now I can listen to songs I enjoy when the lyrics are true, honorable, just, etc.

He who the spirit leads to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, let him not eat, and vice versa etc. Music choice is definitely on this list. Some more mature can listen to basically whatever, and manage to not let it effect their spirit(or the spirit doesn't pull them away from it, without judicial hardening). On the other hand, anyone who feels lead to abstain MUST. There's not that many sins like this, where it depends on who you are and how the spirit is leading you, but if such sins exist then this is one of them. I think we can all agree that music affects different people in different ways, and this can also be true for overindulgence in a type of music. For me, it feels wrong to listen to sexually explicit music, but I don't feel anything negative when listening to purposefully cartoonishly evil things, songs that are not meant to be taken seriously, such as A Little piece of Heaven by avenged sevenfold. I still would not like to listen to this music all the time, but when I'm feeling in a particularly spooky mood a7x fits pretty well.

I usually play soft lounge music with no lyrics, especially when doing household chores or driving..

Pink Floyd Time made me reflect on my fininity and Gods infinite being. I wept and wanted to grow closer to my Lord.

Black Sabbath - After Forever Lyrics Have you ever thought about your soul can it be saved? Or perhaps you think that when you're dead you just stay in your grave Is God just a thought within your head or is he a part of you? Is Christ just a name that you read in a book when you were in school? When you think about death do you lose your breath or do you keep your cool? Would you like to see the Pope on the end of a rope do you think he's a fool? Well I have seen the truth, yes I've seen the light and I've changed my ways And I'll be prepared when you're lonely and scared at the end of our days Could it be you're afraid of what your friends might say If they knew you believe in God above? They should realize before they criticize That God is the only way to love Is your mind so small that you have to fall In with the pack wherever they run Will you still sneer when death is near And say they may as well worship the sun? I think it was true it was people like you that crucified Christ I think it is sad the opinion you had was the only one voiced Will you be so sure when your day is near, say you don't believe? You had the chance but you turned it down, now you can't retrieve Perhaps you'll think before you say that God is dead and gone Open your eyes, just realize that he's the one The only one who can save you now from all this sin and hate Or will you still jeer at all you hear, yes I think it's too late

I agree, I felt this way about music for a long time. I also think that it's important to discern the spirit behind music. Some secular music has a powerful impact for evil on society. I can feel this when I listen to certain music, that it has dark Forces behind it sometimes. I know some people may not believe in that kind of thing so they'll think I'm crazy, but I definitely think the devil uses music to control people and their mindsets, and therefore the way they think and behave in life.

“Let me make the songs of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws.” -Andrew Fletcher The message behind this is so true. Music is so influencial to us humans.

Wait, who was taught that all secular songs were evil? That is some weirdly strict stuff. Growing up, we just mostly listened to Christian music, but not exclusively. It is just a lot easier when you don't want your kids learning swearing from songs to go with Christian music.

Amen! The message is the key.

I was taught since a young age to do this very thing. Now when I was growing up my parents made sure I listened to nothing but Christian Music. However since I have been out of my parent's house I have been more okay with listening to songs that aren't negative or have bad messages. I still listen to a majority of Christian artists though. Bands like Skillet, Thousand Foot Krutch, and Disciple will always be my go to's.

Just for future reference, Bach isn’t secular. Beethoven is, but Bach wrote most of his music specifically for the Lutheran church.

I used to have over 600 cd's and now only a little over 200 cd's are left from my secular music collection

Dude I struggle soooooo tough W this W all entertainment Like I'm greatful for this feeling of discernment But it's confusing at times

A specialist in the spirit realm says that even instrumental songs call upon demons, it can carry a super positive message and it is still bringing darkness into you by who wrote it and who it was consacrated to.

I’m having a hard time distancing myself from it all when there is secular music everywhere. I am in school and all day during class it’s secular music with a horrible message being played. I’m finding myself going home with it sure in my head or my mind replaying it. Please pray for me! Blessings to you all ❣️

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, ... honest... just, ... pure, ... lovely, ... of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. " Philippians 4:8-9

"Christian Music" is like Christian medicine, aerobics, or pilots lessons. They don't exist. Only the message or messenger can be Christian There is no spiritual Bb chord and secular D minor. Music is thus amoral though it has intrinsic powers. Music also has association applications. We don't sing hymns at the ball park.

As a Christian who listens to metal, I usually get a lot of judgement from people who say that it's inherently evil. The fact is that first, there's Christian metal and second, not all metal is Satanic or profane, that's mostly just the bottom of the barrel. I can listen to secular metal because it can convey messages about real struggles that everyone deals with, be they Christian or not. I avoid metal that uses profanity or revels in the world's ways, but there's alternatives that are just as good if not better.

If you don’t listen to secular music, you’re missing out

All is for God's Glory , anything beautiful is created through God and His Amazing Grace and Glory!!

Some genres, such as black metal, are in themselves evil regardless of how "positive" the lyrics are.

As a Christian who listens to black metal and all sorts of “demonic” music, I disagree. Just don’t take the themes seriously. Bands like Slayer have been using satanic imagery throughout their career, but the lead singer is Christian. They just find the themes interesting and fun to play with. As long as you don’t get entrapped in it, there’s no problem. We’re not that weak that we have to cover our ears.

Not just the lyrics... but the "musicality" is important. Notes and tempo have an effect on our brain that can be positive or negative despite the lyrics.

For me, it also depends on whether ‘the message’ has an influence on me. Listen to a lot of music that doesn’t have a message I agree with but I still do because it sounds good and I can ignore it, or because it helps me to understand the artist and the human experience they are expressing.

This is helpful because I'm that young person that is conflicted over whats good and whats not good with music. Thanks for these guidelines!

When people say they feel conflicted over JS Bach....😐🤔🤔😦

Thanks - even at my age this is comforting 😊

I like to listen to anime openings sometimes and occasionally I'll check the translation just to be sure it's nothing sketchy and the messages in the full songs used for the anime openings are really positive with some talking about something actiony like fighting back to back and others being sad talking about their will carrying on even if they die. Quite beautiful.

“And as we lie beneath the stars We realise how small we are If they could love like you and me Imagine what the world could be If everyone cared and nobody cried If everyone loved and nobody lied And if everyone shared and swallowed their pride Then we'd see the day when nobody died If everyone cared and nobody cried If everyone loved and nobody lied And if everyone shared and swallowed their pride Then we'd see the day when nobody died”

I listen to music as a way to hype me up in morning nor do I idol music

I fully agree. I have been a Christian for 48 years and have gone down the same road as you. The happy birthday song and Beethoven's Seventh Symphony opened my eyes to the principle. I can enjoy an artwork painted by a non-Christian and I can enjoy Dave Brubek's jazz (Brubek was Roman Catholic btw). Conversely, most (not all) popular Christian nusic has lost its ministry effect. I remember the earlier music that sometimes drove me to tears. I miss it.

I don’t believe we should disregard the genre/style either. The message of the music is more than the lyrics.

Man discovers critical thinking for the first time. (Colorized, 2023)

My pastor was a drummer in a heavy metal band. Now while he studies he listens to August Burns Red

That’s why enjoy instrumental worldly music since the non-instrumental stuff usually is about broken hearts and other worldly stuff that breaks you down rather than builds you up. Now I didn’t understand why I preferred instrumental stuff before I started re-listening to old style christian songs and hymns where the lyrics is the important part and the music is there to deliver an important message. It fills your heart in a great way. So I would say that in prophane music, the melody matters the most, but in sacral/christian music, the lyrics matter the most. Now, don’t get me wrong. In Christian music the music or melody matters too, or rather, the format. In modern worship, the music tries to impose itself on the heart and tries to dominate over the lyrics so that the feeling you get is external because of the music rather than from the lyrics, then internally from the heart as a consequence of your understanding of what the lyrics mean. That is a huge flip, and a dangerous one.

The bigger concern for me (I feel it's easy discern worldy) is the worldliness of modern Christian music.

This has just been happening naturally to me the closer I get to Christ. Love you Mike! From a Roman Catholic.

Baach just looked gangster with his shades😂❤🎻🎹

Reggae and country music are some of my favourites.

For question #2 (on what pastor Mike commented) also we are to worship the one and only God and if we had a human hypothetically speaking live a sinless life and be the ultimate sacrifice for our sins, we would have a proclivity to worship the person who isn’t God or it would be objectively impossible to not do so. So I believe we should make our choices on what we know and not on our infinite hypotheticals.