Hello amazing people!
Did you know that over 244.5 million Americans listen to the radio each month? That's over 80% of United States inhabitants!
Music has been an incredible and useful tool for thousands of years.
Music has been used to advertise, to promote concentration, to motivate, to entertain, and to sooth and refresh, as in the story of King Saul.
"And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him." (1 Samuel 16:23 NKJV)
Music has been used for hundreds, if not thousands, of purposes.
The question is, what music are we listening to?
What words are we placing in our brains?
What lyrics are we singing repeatedly throughout the day?
Most importantly, are the songs we jazz to glorifying God? Who or what are the lyrics extoling? What is the author's purpose in writing and singing this song? What message(s) are conveyed in the song? And is that message pleasing to God?
Yes, those may be a lot of questions, however, those questions will help you to more critically think about your song choices.
One of the very best ways to decide whether or not a certain song is worth listening to would be to use the "Whatever Filter".
"Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things." (Philippians 4:8 CSB)
Is it true?
Is it honorable?
Is it just?
Are the lyrics pure, or do they suggest questionable innuendos?
Is it lovely?
Is it commendable, admirable, and praiseworthy?
A great way to determine that is to write down the lyrics, and examine the words in light of God's Word.
What manner of music are you listening to?
Knowing that, you'll confidently be able to either turn it up, or turn it off.
A little while back, a strong, Christian woman in my life suggested only listening to praise and worship music for 30 entire days. She mentioned the fact that it may change the way I thought, the way I acted, the songs I sang, and possibly even change my life for the better.
Crazily enough, she was correct.
Hence, I would strongly encourage you to, for 30 days, simply listen to Christians praise and worship music.
It just may change your life... for the better.
Love it!❤️
When I was younger Christian music was pretty much the only music we were allowed to listen to! (With the occasional children's cd or educational songs of course.)