Is listening to secular music wrong for a Christian? I think this is a very complex issue. I think sometimes it is, and sometimes it isn’t.
First, music is not capable of being a Christian or not because it doesn't have a soul, it can't follow Christ. But the reason I label some bands Christian bands or some band secular bands is because of the lyrical content. Not to condemn secular music, but because Christian music has a Christian message, it helps to distinguish between the two. For me, calling something Christian music is a very brief way of distinguishing it from secular music. It lets you know what you can expect from the artist, without having to explain every time you name a band "well, this band sings about Jesus, and blah blah blah." It's Christian music. Yeah.
I have my very own definitions for Christian bands and secular bands. I think Christian bands are a bands because they have a ministry, and it happens to be their job too. Secular bands...it's their job, or they just want to make music. The main difference between the two is that a Christian band's goal is to minister. There can be Christians in a band without it being a Christian band, because the band isn't a ministry. They just make music. Lifehouse is a great example of that. I don't think Lifehouse is a Christian band. They're Christians in a band, some of their songs could be interpreted as "religious", but they don't have a ministry. I know they signed a deal with Sparrow,but it was only a distribution deal. They want to make more money, and they can do that by selling their music in Christian stores, but that doesn't make them a Christian band. Christian stores also sell pens, but they aren't Christian pens; they're sold for a profit. I also figure that Lifehouse's music does minister to people, but I don't know of any statements from them saying that was their intention. I actually don't know everything, so someone fill me in. Are they a Christian band now? I know a lot has changed for them. I'll just say that the "early Lifehouse" was not a Christian band.
You know what, that is not important at all. I may cut that out. I'm drifting off topic. Sometimes, secular music is harmless. There's nothing questionable in the lyrics, it's just good fun. Just because a song doesn't sing about "Jesus" doesn't make it wrong. An entire book of the Bible told a story without once using the name of God or mentioning Him...Esther. I think God included it because it tells a great story. It's not evil. There's a lot of secular music like that. It tells a good story, or a fun story, or whatever.
I do think there is secular music that Christians shouldn't listen to. I don't understand why any Christian would want to listen to a song if the lyrics are something that probably make God throw up...if He does throw up, I don't know. He probably doesn't because that's really gross. I've heard so many people say "I listen to it because it sounds good!" But I don't know if God cares about all that. "God, I know the song sings about gross things, or evil things, or they cuss a lot, but...it sounds really cool! Ya know? Sure, they were saying they hate You and all that, but didn't you like that guitar riff?" Maybe you block the lyrics out, but they're still there. It's totally your decision and I don't dislike anyone who listens to nasty secular music, as far as I know all my friends do. I just don't want to have to stand before God and say "I like the sound." I don’t know how else to word that.
I also hear people saying they listen to secular music because it helps them to hear songs written by people who have gone through the same things they have. I can see that. But God is really good at that comforting thing too. =) Sometimes He uses other people and ways to comfort, but I don't see Him using a song that is gross to do that. I've been noticing lately that I relate to a lot of the people in the Bible. They've gone through the same things I do too.
Like I said, I think some secular music is ok. Here's why.
Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."
I've heard Christians use this verse to say secular music is wrong. I think this verse can be used in both directions, because some secular music is false, pathetic, wrong, impure, ugly, and yeah...but I also think some of it is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. I think this verse is a good guideline.. Sometimes it will tell you "hey, this song isn't all that stuff..." and sometimes it will be.
Maybe that sounds kind of contradicting. I think about it like this. What about classical music, music without any lyrics at all? Should we not listen to it simply because Jesus isn't mentioned? I think that music can be beautiful, excellent, and praiseworthy even if it's not made by a Christian. I think there's some secular music that can be the same thing.
Oh yeah, and even though I think some secular music is ok I still don't listen to any. I've never felt any kind of a need to, because I'm happy with the Christian artists I've found. They're good. Debate that if you like. (oh, please do...) =)
I also think it's important for Christians to always represent Christ. We are supposed to be striving to be like Christ in everything we do. If the world sees us going to secular concerts, buying cds, wearing questionable t-shirts, etc...is that representing Christ in the best way possible? I'm not sure I know the answer to that question. Honestly, I really don't. It's kind of rhetorical. Most of the time, it's probably not a good representation of Christ. On the other hand, we are supposed to be in this world, just not of it. Jesus demonstrated that concept by hanging out with sinners. But He didn't take part in the things they did. So that makes me think our job is to get to know people who aren't Christians, to understand their lives, without having their lifestyles. You can appreciate the music they listen to, and understand why they listen to it, without listening to it yourself. At least in theory. What do I really know? =) I don't listen to any secular music is but I know who Incubus is, I know who Coldplay and John Mayer are. (Even if I don't know how to spell their names.)
I don't want there to ever be any confusion as to whether or not I am a follower of Jesus Christ.
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