Criteria on choosing music to play/ listen to.

[Chuck7]

Some folks seem to wantto discuss music styles. Presently this a big topic for me as well.

Here are some questions. I'll give my opinion with scripture later after I ponder.

1. Is it a sin to listento Ozzy Osborne , Aero Smith and such?
2. How about good ole Southern beer drinking music types like Skynard?

3. Is it ok for me to play Freebird,Sweet Emotions or Ironman on my guitar?

4. Should I be only playing Christian music?

5. Is it ok to watch songs like No More Tears on UTube?

6. Is it ok to play classical or fast picking bluegrass tunes that have no lyrics but allow me to show off my speed skills?

7. Can what I listen to really affect my Christain walk?

8. Is it possible that some of these rock stars are possessed and listening to them would mean I'm participating in their demon worship?

9.Is Christian rock ok even though I can not understand a word they are saying and they are using the same identical licks as Ozzy and heavy metal artist.?

10 What about pop music like Neil Diamond or Country Music that is not Christian???

11. What about john Denver who sings about loving nature??

12.Is this a Romans 12 issue...personal conviction ..or is it a black and white sin issue?

[Chuck7]

UT oh..looks like many are pleading the 5th amendment..I don't blame ya.me too.
Anyway...though no one may reply it should give us something to think about and shoot for. God bless,
Chuck 7

[gogiggen]

I dont have all the answers.....but i do have my opinions....I really think music is all about how you handle it personally....now if you are listening to music about rape and sex and violence(rap, metal--and other such) then i would say it is bad, stay away, because it WILL have an effect, bc you will think about it and want to quote it....

now for me personally, i think some music has actually helped me along the way into a closer relationship with God, by really getting me through hard times(not to mention prayer and other such)....but if you're listening to Jack Johnson or newer Clapton stuff, that is relaxing, helps you get by on a bad day, but they arent 'Christian'--I personally say go ahead....

But for me, I guess it really just depends on how I handle the music personally....But remember, you can also make music an 'Idol' but spending more time in it than you actually spend with God --- by having something stand in the way between the two of you

I know for me personally I spend about 90 min in the car every day, so I have a lot of time to kill, and I'll admit that sometimes talking to God just doesnt get me through driving....and I have an iPod, and i have around 2400 songs....I'm a big music fan, but i have to be careful

idk if this helped, but i wrote it anyways

[NiceAndBlue]

to me it's not the sound the music makes, its the lyrics. i think there are obvious songs/artists to stay away from (ie openly satanic, vulgar, sexual etc.) as a christian you probably won't feel right listening to certain types of music.

i personally listen to both christian and secular music. however, i know of some christians that wont listen to anything other than christian music b/c of convictions. that is fine by me. i dont think it's black and white for the most part. if you feel guilty or convicted listening to any type of music, by all means don't listen.

[Chuck7]

Thanks for the replies,
I agree with them for the most part. I love music as well. It's very powerful ..I mean look at the effect it had on Saul

Look at Paul and Silas in Acts 16. I also beleive it to be one of the most powerful influences on our young people today. There is just something about the beat that kids and big kids like.

[Soilarch]

I kinda like this thread...just hope it doesn't turn into another pointless debate[8D]

Here's my first-impression answers. I may change 'em after a little more thought.

1. I think is linked to the last question. Romans 12
2. ditto
3. I think it's fine. I'd like the think that the music coming from any instrument is an outpouring of what's in your heart...and I personally feel that if yours is set right before him you can play anything from thrash-metal to simple scales. (What I mean is, you can change the words to anything. And God's hears your heart alot louder than your guitar.)
4. Define "Christian". If you say "yes" to this question you probably ought to do a personal background check on every person you wrote every song you want to play. Make sure they didn't backslide or do anything to "invalidate" their music. I would say "nope"...refer back to answer 3
5. Tough one...I thinks it's a Romans 12 thing again
6.ABSOLUTELY!!! David didn't write the psalms saying "play your instruments simply to the Lord" He said "play skillfully". (Heavy peraphrased. I mean no disrespect to the scriptures.) Again, it comes back to the heart. If you can't play skillfully without it becoming a pride issue it's time to step back and re-evalute things.
7. In my personal life the answer is a simple and definate YES
8. Are some possessed? I'm Sure. Does listening to them make you a contributor to their worship? I would think the answer is no. Listening to a sermon doesn't make you saved. Befriend a Muslim doesn't make you Muslim. Listening to a worship service doesn't mean you're worshiping. Again, it comes back to the heart.
9. I think this another Romans 12 issue. The fact that they use Ozzy licks is a moot point.
10. See number 4.
11. Not real familar with Denver's lyrics. But I know David admired nature, and praised God for it, in the Psalms
12. Refer to numbers 1-11

That's just my take on things right now. I'm interested to see how/what you find in the scriptures.

If I can find the site, I'll send you a PM in regards to #2. I've seen it used effectively in ministry.

[Chuck7]

Welll, before I get started I must say I don't live everyone of these answers.They are goals..such as catching a bass over 12 pounds , bagging a 12 point buck and being wholly submissive to God.

1. Is it a sin to listento Ozzy Osborne , Aero Smith and such? Diffently not a Romans 12 answer. I've seen them both. Ozzy is a professing devil worshipper and leads 1000s to do occult practices in his concert. Alot of Aerosmith's lyrics are just plain trash. The temptation. ..I've personally never heard anyone play the lead guitar like Randy Rhoads. There is something about the rhythem that draws certain types of people...like a pied piper..but then after one is drawn there is no mistake with whom these songs are directed to. "Shun all appearances of evil the Word says. also//Come out from among them and be ye holy What communion has light and darkness have? "

2. How about good ole Southern beer drinking music types like Skynard?
Same answer as above...they just aren't singing directly to Satan..They are making sex, drugs and alcohol look cool/

3. Is it ok for me to play Freebird,Sweet Emotions or Ironman on my guitar? I hate this question and should have left it out..LOL WEll, Sweet Emotion and Ironman are very elementary to play but I'm guilty of playing Freebird. Why is it wrong...Redeeming the time because the days are eveil. Why spend so much time learning a song like this when I could be learning a new hymn? WE are no longer ourselves.We were bought with a price. We belong to Him.

4. Should I be only playing Christian music? A big yes.."And whatsoever ye do in word or deed do it all unto God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

5. Is it ok to watch songs like No More Tears on UTube? No..just as God's Words are seeds..so are Satan's seeds..
1 Cor. 15:33 Don"™t be fooled by those who say such things, for "œbad company corrupts good character."�

6. Is it ok to play classical or fast picking bluegrass tunes that have no lyrics but allow me to show off my speed skills? IMHOI honestly have no trouble playing fast fiddle tunes or classical that have no words. They are simply fingering exersise that improve your skill which can help your playing for the Lord. The same may be said of other scale exercises...minor, blues, magor or the others. They are simply ways of mastering the finger board.

7. Can what I listen to really affect my Christain walk? EXTREMELY "Bad company corrupts good character." IMHO I beleive worldly music is the #1 reason why we ar elosing our young ones.

8. Is it possible that some of these rock stars are possessed and listening to them would mean I'm participating in their demon worship? Yes ..some are possessed..and yes...and some of that music is used in Satanic meetings of worship. Some are participating. ,,even listening to it in your car and home IMO is worshipping Satan to a certain degree....especially if you are singing along with the lyrics and agreeing with them.

9.Is Christian rock ok even though I can not understand a word they are saying and they are using the same identical licks as Ozzy and heavy metal artist.? For me...absolutely not. It only glorifys the musicains and can make the young ones thirst for other bands who play like the hard Christian bands except better. All teh young ones I know gradually go from teh Newsboys and other Christian groups to Mettalica etc. Teh beat turns them on.

10 What about pop music like Neil Diamond or Country Music that is not Christian??? It's according to their lyrics.

11. What about john Denver who sings about loving nature?? John also sang about passing around the mariquana pipe as well.and david glorified teh creator of nature...He did not worship nature.

12.Is this a Romans 12 issue...personal conviction ..or is it a black and white sin issue? For me..very black and white.


2 Cor. 6 The Temple of the Living God
14 Don"™t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil[d]? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God"™s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said:
"œI will live in them
and walk among them.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.[e]
17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers,
and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord.
Don"™t touch their filthy things,
and I will welcome you.[f]
18 And I will be your Father,
and you will be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.[g]"�

After writing this I am very convicted..I promice you and God to refrain from playing music that I know offends Him. or listening to it as well.
God bless,
C7

PS I will also say that this topic draws some heated responces .I will not reply to condenscending remarks.Why is this? Because I may be tempted in returning a condescending remark right back and I don't want to.Debate is fine if we can keep it civil. Certainly iron does sharpen iron but there is nevera place for beating upon God's children physically or emotionally.

[Soilarch]

These are all fair answers Chuck. However, can I ask if you answered them with the mindset of playing for/in front of others? I just thought of that and depending on if we are discussing the private playing vs. leading a group or playing in front of others would make a big difference. AND whether we are drawing from the music we've already heard or actively searching for non-christian music that we've yet to hear would make a big difference.

I realize the scripture is pretty clear that what we do in private will be made known. But I also believe that there is a difference still between what we do in our home and what we do out in the world and what we do as a "leader". That's why they're are so many warnings for those that lead/teach and why Paul says you have freedom in Christ, yet if it causes a brother to stumble you've no reason to do it.

[Chuck7]

These are all fair answers Chuck. However, can I ask if you answered them with the mindset of playing for/in front of others?Sure...everyone is welcome..especially you.I've never ever read one condescending remark from you and I'm certainly we will disagree some..and that;s ok/We are growing .I just thought of that and depending on if we are discussing the private playing vs. leading a group or playing in front of others would make a big difference.For me ..absolutely no difference. I seeworshipping God as a 24/ 7 ordeal. I beleive if it's not it is hypocritical. I'm at school and will get into that deeper later. AND whether we are drawing from the music we've already heard or actively searching for non-christian music that we've yet to hear would make a big difference. Sorry..I'm a gold person and honestly don't understand that last statement.

I realize the scripture is pretty clear that what we do in private will be made known.amen But I also believe that there is a difference still between what we do in our home and what we do out in the world and what we do as a "leader".maybe this is true...but not for me.That's why they're are so many warnings for those that lead/teach and why Paul says you have freedom in Christ, yet if it causes a brother to stumble you've no reason to do it.

Those last 2 statements are wonderful..I will respond on these on my lunch break.Driving ot school this mornign the Lord reminded me of 2 scriptures.and one of them is that freedom you are talking about.
God bless,
c7

[NiceAndBlue]

10 What about pop music like Neil Diamond or Country Music that is not Christian??? It's according to their lyrics.

why is it ok to listen to pop or country music with lyrics that are ok, but not heavy metal with lyrics that are ok?