SEP 20

1 Thessalonians 5:21
Memorise Romans 12:2
“…whosoever looketh on a woman to lust … hath committed adultery…”

Christians today follow Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) stars like the unbelievers following the celebrities of the world. The style of music is so popular that many churches have incorporated CCM music as part of their worship repertoire. Churches today have replaced traditional instruments with modern pop instruments like rock drums, electric guitars and keyboards. Worship services resemble secular pop concerts. Is there anything wrong with that? Can we say that some music is good and some not? Or is music just a matter of benign preference? As in all things spiritual, we must apply right biblical discernment (1 Thessalonians 5:21) in our choice of music in worship.

Understand that the essence of music lies in its ability to create emotions in people. Just as words can affect the mind, music reaches the heart. Music can make one happy or excited. It can lift up one’s mood when one is down. Few will deny that music is powerful. As we recognise this fact, we must also understand that the emotions that music induces in people are not always harmless. Some music is capable of creating sinful emotions. We recognise that music is not created randomly. Music composers are skilled and talented individuals who know precisely how to create music that induces specific reactions and emotions in its listeners. If a composer wanted to write music that helps someone feel peaceful, he will use specific melodies and chords to create that effect. On the other hand, if he wants to create music that induces pleasurable and lustful emotions in people, then he will employ particular harmonies and rhythms to suit his purposes. Hence, the motive of the music composer matters and has direct relationship to the type of music he creates.

The next question we should then ask is what motivates the composer? For the pop composer, is it not fame and fortune? For him to be successful, he must produce songs that his paying audiences want and use music that appeals to the masses. And what do people want? Scripture tells us that the heart is desperately sinful and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). As such, they will want sinful things and reject things that are holy.

Thought: How do you know when your emotions are sinful?
Prayer: Lord, teach me to be more discerning.