Music is a powerful force in culture, but what does the Bible say about the kind of music we listen to? Scripture encourages believers to be mindful of what influences them, including music. Let’s explore what the Bible says about music and how it can affect our hearts and minds.
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What Does The Bible Say About Worldly Music
1 John 2:15-17
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”
This verse reminds us to be cautious about our love for the world and the things it offers. Worldly music often promotes the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, which are not aligned with God’s will. Instead, as followers of Christ, we are called to focus on doing God’s will and seeking eternal life in Him.
Psalm 101:3
“I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of avoiding and rejecting anything that is dishonorable or ungodly. As Christians, we are called to separate ourselves from worldly practices, including music that promotes faithlessness, immorality, or vileness. Let us strive to fill our hearts and minds with things that are pure, noble, and pleasing to God.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
This verse reminds us that our actions, including the music we listen to, should be done to bring glory and honor to God. We should carefully consider how the lyrics, message, and spirit behind worldly music align with our desire to bring glory to God in all aspects of our lives.
James 4:4
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”
This verse serves as a strong warning about the consequences of aligning ourselves too closely with the worldly mindset and desires. Choosing to immerse ourselves in worldly music that contradicts God’s values can lead us away from a close and faithful relationship with Him. Let us seek to be friends of God and not enemies by carefully discerning the messages conveyed through the music we listen to.
Colossians 3:16
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
This verse highlights the importance of filling our hearts and minds with songs that uplift and reflect the message of Christ. Rather than being consumed by worldly music, let us embrace psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, which bring wisdom, teach, admonish, and inspire gratitude towards God.
Ephesians 5:19
“Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.”
This verse encourages believers to communicate with each other and with God through the medium of psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Our music should come from a heart that is fully devoted to the Lord, bringing praise and worship to Him in a way that aligns with His truth and righteousness.
Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of guarding our hearts and ensuring that what we allow into our hearts, including the music we listen to, aligns with God’s Word. Worldly music can easily influence our thoughts, emotions, and actions. Let us be vigilant in protecting our hearts and choosing music that helps to cultivate a heart that is pure and devoted to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
“But test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil.”
This verse encourages us to be discerning and test everything against God’s standards. When it comes to music, we should examine its lyrics, message, and overall influence on our thoughts and actions. We should hold on to songs that align with God’s truth and reject those that promote evil or lead us away from Him.
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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.”
This verse provides a guide for our thought life, including the music we choose to engage with. Worldly music often falls short of these qualities, while God calls us to focus on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Let us intentionally fill our minds and hearts with music that reflects these qualities and uplifts our spirits.
Psalm 119:37
“Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.”
This verse is a prayer for guidance and protection from being drawn towards things that have no value or significance. Worldly music can sometimes fall into the category of “worthless things” that distract us from the truths and promises found in God’s Word. May we seek God’s guidance in choosing music that enriches our lives and aligns with His Word.
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
This verse exhorts us not to conform to the worldly patterns and influences around us, which can include the music we listen to. Instead, we are called to renew our minds according to God’s Word and seek His will. Let us strive to align our music choices with His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Psalm 33:3
“Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.”
This verse encourages us to worship and praise God with a new song, using our musical abilities to skillfully express our joy and gratitude to Him. While this verse doesn’t specifically address worldly music, it reminds us of the importance of using our musical gifts to honor and glorify God, rather than being solely consumed by worldly tunes.
Psalm 150:4
“Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre.”
This verse reminds us that all musical instruments can be used to praise and worship God. It is not the instrument itself that determines the righteousness or unrighteousness of the music, but the spirit and intent behind it. Let us use the diversity of musical expressions to honor and glorify God, guided by His Word and Spirit.
1 Chronicles 15:16
“David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their fellow Levites as musicians to make a joyful sound with musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.”
This verse highlights the role of music in worship and acknowledges the use of musical instruments to create a joyful sound in praise to God. As we engage in music, let us do so with a heart of joy, creating a joyful atmosphere that uplifts and magnifies the name of the Lord.
Psalm 96:1
“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.”
This verse calls us to sing a new song to the Lord, expressing our love, adoration, and praise. As we explore music, let us seek new songs that honor God, reflecting the depth of our relationship with Him and magnifying His greatness.
Psalm 92:1-2
“It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night.”
This verse emphasizes the goodness and importance of praising the Lord and making music in His name. Music can be a powerful way to proclaim and declare God’s love, faithfulness, and attributes. Through music, let us express our gratitude and awe for who God is and what He has done in our lives.
Psalm 149:3
“Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.”
This verse invites us to praise the name of the Lord with dancing and musical instruments like timbrels and harps. It serves as a reminder that music and movement can be combined to worship and exalt God. May we engage in music and dance with sincerity, offering it as an expression of our love and devotion to Him.
Psalm 98:4-6
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King.”
This verse encourages us to shout for joy, burst into jubilant song, and make music to the Lord using various instruments. It serves as a reminder that our music should be filled with joy, praise, and proclamation of God’s kingship. Let us worship Him with gladness and enthusiasm, magnifying His name through our music.
Psalm 147:7
“Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp.”
This verse invites us to sing to the Lord with grateful praise and make music to Him using instruments like the harp. It highlights the importance of expressing gratitude to God through music, acknowledging His goodness and faithfulness. Let our music be a testament to the gratitude we have for who God is and what He has done.
Psalm 100:2
“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.”
This verse calls us to worship the Lord with gladness and joyful songs. It conveys the idea that our worship should be characterized by joy and a heart filled with praise. Let us approach God with gladness, expressing our love and adoration through music that reflects the joy and delight found in His presence.
Psalm 89:1
“I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth, I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.”
This verse exemplifies the commitment to sing of the Lord’s great love and make His faithfulness known through music. It encourages us to use our voices to declare God’s love and faithfulness, passing it on to future generations. Let our music be a testimony of God’s enduring love and faithfulness throughout all ages.
Habakkuk 3:19
“The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.”
This verse speaks of the Lord’s sovereignty and His ability to strengthen and enable us. While not explicitly mentioning music, it reminds us that music can serve as a way to express our dependence on God, find strength in Him, and rise above the challenges we face. May our music reflect our trust in and reliance on the Lord, inspiring us and others to persevere and overcome.
Psalm 40:3
“He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.”
This verse highlights the transformation that occurs when God puts a new song in our mouths. Our music can become a hymn of praise that witnesses to others, causing them to fear the Lord and put their trust in Him. May our songs be a means of testimony and invitation, drawing others closer to God and pointing them to His saving grace.
Worldly music often reflects the values, desires, and ideologies of the world. As Christians, we are called to live in the world but not be conformed to its ways. The above verses provide guidance on how we can approach the topic of worldly music. It is important to guard our hearts, test everything against God’s truth, and choose music that aligns with His values.
While it is clear that there are songs and genres that promote values that contradict biblical principles, it is equally important to recognize that not all secular or non-Christian music is sinful. Some songs may convey messages of love, hope, or reflect on the human experience. However, as believers, we should constantly evaluate the content, lyrics, and message of the music we engage with.
Ultimately, our purpose as Christians should be to exalt and honor God through our music. We are encouraged to sing new songs, make joyful music, and express our praise and worship to the Lord. Our music choices should reflect gratitude, truth, love, and unity among believers. Let us carefully discern the impact of worldly music on our hearts and minds, seeking music that truly glorifies God and aligns with His Word.