Music is a powerful part of our lives, but what does the Bible say about listening to secular music? While the Bible doesn’t address modern music genres specifically, it does offer principles on what we fill our minds and hearts with. Understanding these principles can help us make choices about the kind of music we listen to and its impact on our spiritual lives.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About sage
What Does The Bible Say About secular music
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 reminds us that music can be a powerful tool for worship and spiritual growth. While the Bible doesn’t explicitly address secular music, it emphasizes the importance of filling our hearts and minds with the message of Christ. As believers, we should be discerning in our choice of music, ensuring that it aligns with biblical principles and helps to strengthen our relationship with God.
While some secular music may contain messages that contradict our Christian beliefs, others may convey positive themes of love, hope, and unity. It is important to use discernment and wisdom when engaging with secular music, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our choices and evaluating the lyrics and overall message in light of God’s Word.
1 Corinthians 10:31
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
While this verse does not specifically address music, it encourages us to glorify God in all aspects of our lives, including our choices in entertainment. When it comes to secular music, we should seek to honor God by selecting songs that align with His values and bring Him glory. This means being mindful of the lyrics, the overall message, and the impact it has on our spiritual well-being.
Engaging with secular music can be a personal choice, but it’s essential to remember that our ultimate goal as Christians is to live in a way that brings honor to God. This includes being wise in our choices and intentionally seeking music that lifts our spirits, edifies our faith, and helps us draw closer to Him.
Psalms 150:4-6
“Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise him with strings and flutes! Praise him with a clash of cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals. Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
These verses celebrate the use of various instruments and forms of musical expression to praise and worship God. While they don’t directly address secular music, they highlight the importance of using music to honor and exalt the Lord. As believers, we have the privilege to engage with music as a means of glorifying God and expressing our devotion to Him.
While some secular music may lack a spiritual focus, it’s important to remember that music itself is a gift from God. We can appreciate the artistic expression and skillful craftsmanship of secular music while remaining discerning in the influence it has on our hearts, minds, and faith. Ultimately, our goal is to use music in a way that aligns with God’s word and brings Him the praise and honor He deserves.
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 engage in musical expression that is inspired by the Holy Spirit and brings glory to God. While it does not specifically address secular music, it highlights the importance of music that springs from a heart devoted to the Lord.
When considering secular music, it is essential to remember that the content and message of the songs we choose can significantly impact our spiritual walk. We should strive to select music that reflects biblical truths, uplifts our spirits, and honors God. It is crucial to stay mindful of the lyrics and messages presented in secular music, evaluating whether they align with God’s Word and contribute to our spiritual growth and relationship with Him.
2 Chronicles 5:13
“The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: ‘He is good; his love endures forever.’” Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud,
This verse illustrates the power of music to unite believers in worship, giving praise and thanks to the Lord. While it doesn’t address secular music specifically, it emphasizes the importance of music as a means of expressing adoration and exalting God’s attributes.
As we engage with music, both sacred and secular, we should aim to fill our hearts and minds with melodies and lyrics that bring glory to God. While not all secular music may directly praise God, we can still appreciate its artistic value and the emotions it evokes. However, it is essential to guard against any negative or sinful influences that may arise from secular music and ensure that our choices align with our Christian values.
Psalm 98:4-5
“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.”
These verses highlight the jubilant and celebratory nature of music in worshiping the Lord. While they don’t specifically address secular music, they underscore the importance of using music as a means to express joy and adoration towards God.
When it comes to secular music, it’s important to remember that not all songs are intended for worship. However, we can still appreciate music’s ability to evoke emotions, inspire creativity, and bring people together. As Christians, we should be discerning in our choices and ensure that the music we engage with aligns with our values and supports our desire to honor God in all areas of life.
Psalm 149:3
“Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.”
This verse encourages believers to praise God through various forms of musical expression, including dancing and playing musical instruments. While it doesn’t directly address secular music, it highlights the importance of using music to worship and honor God.
As Christians, we should approach secular music with discernment, evaluating the lyrics, themes, and overall message it conveys. While some secular songs may not align with our faith, others might contain positive and uplifting messages. It is crucial to prayerfully consider the impact of secular music on our hearts, minds, and spiritual well-being, making choices that are consistent with biblical principles.
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.”
While this verse does not specifically address music, it draws our attention to the dangers of becoming too closely aligned with the values and influences of the world. When it comes to secular music, it is essential to guard against any messages or themes that contradict biblical principles and compromise our walk with God.
As believers, we are called to be in the world but not of the world. This means exercising discernment in our choices and being mindful of the impact secular music can have on our spiritual journey. We should seek to surround ourselves with music that encourages and edifies our faith, drawing us closer to God rather than leading us astray.
Psalm 33:2-3
“Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.”
These verses encourage believers to praise and worship God using musical instruments and voices. While they don’t specifically mention secular music, they emphasize the importance of using music as a form of worship and joyful expression to God.
When considering secular music, we should be mindful of the content and messages it conveys. Some secular songs may possess artistic value and evoke positive emotions, while others may present messages that contradict our Christian beliefs. It is crucial to engage with music that is edifying, spiritually uplifting, and aligns with biblical principles, ensuring our choices honor and glorify God.
1 Timothy 4:4-5
“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”
While this verse doesn’t specifically address secular music, it reminds us that everything God has created is inherently good. When it comes to music, we can appreciate its beauty, creativity, and the emotions it evokes. However, it is essential to exercise discernment and evaluate whether a particular song’s message aligns with our Christian values and principles.
As we engage with music, whether sacred or secular, we should approach it with thanksgiving and consecrate our choices through prayer and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This ensures that the music we listen to brings honor to God, uplifts our spirits, and encourages our walk with Him.
2 Chronicles 29:28
“While the whole assembly worshiped, the musicians also played their instruments and the Levites sang to the Lord with all their might.”
This verse depicts a scene of wholehearted worship, where musicians played their instruments and Levites sang to the Lord with all their might. While it doesn’t explicitly mention secular music, it emphasizes the importance of engaging in worship with a genuine and passionate heart.
When it comes to secular music, we should be mindful of its influence on our hearts and minds. While some secular songs may be enjoyable and entertaining, they may not necessarily contribute to our spiritual growth or honor God. It is important to maintain a balance, making choices that align with biblical principles and help us grow in our relationship with the Lord.
Psalm 150:3-5
“Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe, praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.”
These verses celebrate the use of various musical instruments and forms of expression in worshiping and praising God. Although they don’t specifically address secular music, they highlight the importance of using music to glorify and honor the Lord.
When engaging with secular music, it is crucial to assess whether the lyrics and overall message align with biblical principles. While some secular songs may be artistically pleasing, they may not always contribute to our spiritual growth or glorify God. As believers, we should be intentional in choosing music that uplifts our spirits, strengthens our faith, and aligns with the values and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Psalm 21:13
“Be exalted in your strength, Lord; we will sing and praise your might.”
While this verse doesn’t specifically address secular music, it encourages us to exalt and praise the Lord through singing. As Christians, our music choices should reflect our desire to honor God and give thanks for His strength and might.
When considering secular music, it is important to evaluate whether the lyrics, themes, and overall message align with biblical principles. Some secular songs may carry positive messages of love, unity, and hope, while others may promote values that contradict our faith. Therefore, it is crucial to exercise discernment and seek music that strengthens our relationship with God and points us towards His truth.
Ephesians 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
While this verse doesn’t directly address music, it reminds us of the importance of speaking and engaging in content that builds others up and benefits those who hear it. When it comes to secular music, we should be careful to choose songs that edify our own hearts and minds, as well as the hearts and minds of others.
As Christians, we should strive to surround ourselves with music that encourages love, kindness, and truth. While not all secular songs may meet this criteria, some may convey positive values and inspire personal reflection. It is essential to approach secular music with discernment, seeking music that aligns with biblical principles and helps us grow in our faith.
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 speaks of God’s transformative work in our lives, putting a new song in our mouths, a hymn of praise to Him. While it doesn’t directly address secular music, it emphasizes the power of music to impact others by leading them to fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.
When it comes to secular music, we should be cautious and discerning in our choices. While some songs may not overtly convey spiritual messages, they can still evoke emotions and influence our thoughts and actions. It is essential to evaluate whether engaging with secular music aligns with our goal of pointing others to Christ and living out our faith authentically.
Psalm 71:23
“My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you—I whom you have delivered.”
These verses express the psalmist’s joy in singing praises to God for His deliverance. While they don’t specifically mention secular music, they highlight the importance of using music to express gratitude and praise to the Lord.
When considering secular music, believers should approach it with discernment, evaluating whether the lyrics and overall message align with biblical principles. While some secular songs may be enjoyable to listen to, they may not contribute to our spiritual growth or honor God. It is essential to seek music that helps us express our gratitude and adoration towards the Lord, drawing us closer to Him in worship.
Psalm 96:1-2
“Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.”
These verses exhort us to sing to the Lord, praising His name and proclaiming His salvation. While they don’t specifically address secular music, they emphasize the importance of using music as a means to worship and exalt God’s name.
When it comes to secular music, we should exercise discernment, evaluating whether the lyrics, themes, and overall message align with biblical principles. While some secular songs may possess artistic value and evoke emotions, others may promote values that contradict our faith. It is important to surround ourselves with music that encourages our hearts in our walk with God and points us back to His salvation.
Psalm 149:1
“Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.”
This verse encourages believers to praise the Lord by singing a new song and expressing His praise among the assembly of His faithful people. While it doesn’t specifically address secular music, it highlights the importance of using music to worship and bring praise to God.
When engaging with secular music, it is crucial to evaluate whether the lyrics, themes, and overall message align with biblical principles. While some secular songs may possess artistic value, they may not contribute to our spiritual growth or honor God. As believers, we should strive to choose music that glorifies God, uplifts our spirits, and encourages our devotion to Him.
Exodus 15:1
“Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: ‘I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.'”‘
These verses illustrate the Israelites’ response of singing and praising God after their deliverance from Pharaoh and the Egyptian army. While they don’t specifically address secular music, they highlight the use of music to celebrate God’s miracles and faithfulness.
When it comes to secular music, we should be discerning in our choices, considering whether the lyrics and overall message align with biblical principles. Some secular songs may possess artistic value and evoke emotions, while others may promote values and messages that contradict our faith. It is crucial to engage with music that points us towards God’s goodness, celebrates His faithfulness, and encourages our walk with Him.
Psalm 145:1-2
“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name forever and ever. Every day I will praise you and extol your name forever and ever.”
These verses express the psalmist’s commitment to exalt and praise God’s name continually. While they don’t specifically mention secular music, they remind us of the importance of using music to glorify and honor the Lord.
When considering secular music, we should exercise discernment, evaluating whether the lyrics, themes, and overall message align with biblical principles. While some secular songs may be enjoyable to listen to, they may not contribute to our spiritual growth or honor God. As believers, we should seek music that helps us express our praise and adoration towards the Lord, strengthening our relationship with Him.
Psalm 57:7
“My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.”
These verses express the psalmist’s determination to sing and make music in praise and devotion to God. While they don’t specifically mention secular music, they affirm the heart’s steadfastness and devotion towards the Lord, expressed through music.
As believers, it is essential to evaluate whether the secular music we engage with aligns with our faith and values. While not all secular songs may be considered spiritually focused, they can still impact our thoughts, emotions, and actions. It is crucial to choose music that reinforces our steadfastness in the Lord, deepens our faith, and leads us into a closer relationship with Him.
Psalm 105:2
“Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.”
This verse encourages believers to sing praise to the Lord and to proclaim His wonderful acts. While it doesn’t specifically address secular music, it emphasizes the importance of using music to express our gratitude and awe for God’s mighty works.
When engaging with secular music, it is important to evaluate whether the lyrics, themes, and overall message align with biblical principles. While some secular songs may possess artistic value and evoke emotions, they may not contribute to our spiritual growth or honor God. As Christians, we should strive to choose music that magnifies the Lord and testifies to His wonderful acts.
Psalm 43:4
“Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.”
This verse expresses the psalmist’s intent to worship and praise God joyfully with music. While it doesn’t specifically mention secular music, it underscores the importance of using music to worship and express joy in God’s presence.
When considering secular music, it is essential to evaluate whether the lyrics, themes, and overall message align with biblical principles. While some secular songs may evoke positive emotions and entertain us, they may not always honor God or contribute to our spiritual growth. As believers, we should choose music that brings us joy, draws us closer to God, and reflects our desire to worship Him wholeheartedly.
Psalms 92:1-3
“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, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.”
These verses emphasize the goodness and importance of praising God and making music to His name. While they don’t specifically address secular music, they highlight the value of using music to proclaim God’s love and faithfulness.
When engaging with secular music, it is crucial to assess whether the lyrics, themes, and overall message align with biblical principles. While some secular songs may possess artistic merit, they may not always lead us to praise and honor God. As believers, we should choose music that resonates with our desire to proclaim God’s love and faithfulness and directs our hearts towards worshiping Him.
Psalm 150:6
“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”
This verse proclaims the call for all creation, including every living being, to praise the Lord. While it doesn’t specifically mention secular music, it highlights the universal nature of worship and the importance of using music to give praise and honor to God.
When engaging with secular music, it is essential to evaluate whether the lyrics, themes, and overall message align with biblical principles. While some secular songs may not directly acknowledge God, they can still evoke emotions and influence our thoughts and actions. As Christians, we should choose music that leads us to a deeper love for God and encourages us to praise and worship Him.