The Influence of Music: Part 1

Music has a powerful influence upon people. The beat of a song can usher us into joy, deep reflection, inappropriate behavior, and others make us feel invincible. The beat has a powerful draw upon us, often something we can’t explain, but we feel it running through our soul. Now, secular music (secular means separate from religion) we can imagine all the influences of sin, flesh, and the devil, but can such music infiltrate Christian borders? It sure can…and has.

Just because a song speaks about God, the words are not what affects us first – it’s the beat. Long before a word is spoken, the melody of a beat has captured our soul’s attention. We are catapulted into the ‘spirit’ of the song and its influence, even in spite of the lyrics being spoken. Depending on the beat of the song, the music appeals to our carnal nature of the flesh rather than bringing us into a spirit of praise and worship of our Lord.

Music is one of the vehicles Satan uses to infiltrate the church walls and the lives of the Lord’s children. (Before he was cast from heaven, he played before the Mountain of God (Ezekiel 28:11-19), as he was filled with pipes and tabrets.) The influences of Satan are based upon self and ANY Christian song, lyrics, or group that promotes SELF and the WORLD is of Satan and an enemy to God (1 John 2:15-17). If you conduct a personal inventory of your Christian music library (right now), you may find it filled with songs that influence selfish behavior, greed, pride, idolatry, and even unrighteous sexual influences. When you view the album covers of the same Christian artists, what do you see? Do you see honor and holiness or do you see the same styles as the world – sex, money, and fame? How about Christian songs that bring desires to dance sexy, drive fast/out-of-control, or make you feel invincible (in a prideful way)? Do you remember how secular songs made you feel? How are these songs different?

Check this for yourself! Check your own music library.

Often the ‘signs’ are right before us, but we fail to take heed to them fully. It’s the beat! The spirit of the beat will tell the story.

Worldly influences can be found across almost every genre of ‘Christian’ music. Because of the central origins of some of these genres, the entire genre should be scrapped altogether. Within some genres, the artists may not be aware that their music could be designated for sinful, fleshly, and worldly purposes. The artists may have no ill intent in their ministry. They may seek to evangelize the world through their specific genre. However, they have been led to believe (often in ignorance) that their current genre is OK. They are ignorant to Satan’s influence upon their genre of music that keeps people desensitized to holy and righteous behavior before God. And that’s what Satan wants. All he needs are people that allow his devices to run freely to corrupt the entire bunch. Check the spirit of the beat, not just the lyrics (check those as well). We must take a stand against his schemes (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Many products of the world have been recycled and presented to the church. This is why we’re witnessing so much compromise in holiness through the church and music ‘industry.’ For those that compromise through their music (beats), you’ll see them align with secular artists, present questionable lyrics and actions, and display ungodly behavior. Their fruits will speak the truth of their TRUE origin and the artists’ influence (of the world or Spirit). (Matthew 7:15-20).

Remember, we are not of the world. We only live it in. We cannot allow ourselves to become partial to substandard (sinful) behavior in church to entertain ourselves or appease the masses. That is not a worthy sacrifice. The sacrifice we bring to God is ourselves, as we renew our minds and lives from a worldly conformity.

Romans 12:1-2 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Many believe we can use many genres of music to effectively evangelize the lost. All genres of music cannot be used to effectively evangelize the world when the methods that are used can be gateways for further spiritual injury, deception, and access to the world and Satan. Satan is a deceiver, tempter, and adversary against God and His creation (Matthew 4:1-11; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; Revelation 12:9-10). His name, Satan is translated as ‘adversary’ and devil is translated as ‘prone to slander, slanderous, accusing falsely.’

Don’t be deceived (1 Corinthians 3:18). Don’t allow your desire to remain (or be) entertained or stay with the crowd to keep your heart stayed on Christian songs (and artists) you know are of the world. Don’t allow fear to keep you in the familiar or even thoughts of what you will do next. Holiness is not about trying to figure out what will happen next (to fill the void), but being pure and clean before a loving Father.

Place your affections upon the Lord and worship Him.

Ephesians 5:6-10 – Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

The Influence of Music: Part 2

Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/JeffBoriss