Can Christians Listen to Secular Music?
This is a question I have heard asked over and over. Personally, I never realized just how much debate surrounded this topic until I took a peek at the Christian corner of social media and saw everyone fighting like cats and dogs over their right to listen to, like, Drake.
I was raised Christian. My mother is a pastor, my grandmother was a reverend, and my great-grandmother had her own church when I was growing up. I come from a very long line of Godly women. Unless I was in school (which was a public institution and was quite honestly against any Christian ideals), then I was surrounded by Believers in my childhood. So, I was never really presented with the opportunity to entertain myself with secular music. When I had headphones on, I was generally listening to worship, gospel, or the latest hits from Christian bands like Mercy Me, Anberlin, Falling Up, or Switchfoot.
Even though I certainly had the opportunity to indulge and listen to secular music as I got older, I was so accustomed to Christian songs that I realized I simply didn’t enjoy secular tunes. Looking back, I’m not surprised at all by my preference to Christian music now in my adult life. The Bible says this will happen if you raise your kids according to the Word.
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 NIV
In my late twenties now, I have certainly heard and even enjoyed my fair share of secular music. As a teen, I was totally enamored by Lil Wayne, Fall Out Boy, and nearly obsessed with LINKIN PARK. But when I got to college and truly dived into the Word of God, when I established a sincere relationship with Christ Jesus and got to know Him as my Father—as the One who knew and held my heart in His hands—I realized that the music I was listening to never did anything but sound good.
When I listened to Christian music, I felt closer to God, like I was spending time with Him. The lyrics were musical prayers sang to my Savior. When I turned on Christian music, I was basking in His presence, enjoying something that He enjoyed. I missed that feeling when I listened to secular music.
I didn’t make the decision to stick to Christian music because I felt condemned or because I believed it was sinful to listen to secular music. I decided to cut out secular music because I felt a tugging from the Holy Spirit to do so.
One Sunday, I was deeply contemplating the topic. I asked God very plainly, why shouldn’t Christians listen to secular music, Lord? I genuinely want to know.
His answer stunned me.
In a Still Voice, I heard the Lord respond so clearly—You won’t hear that music in Heaven.
That was truly all I needed to hear. It was so plain and simple, so easy to understand. You won’t hear music by Lil Wayne or Drake or Fall Out Boy in Heaven. What place do the sort of lyrics they sing have in the presence of God Almighty?
I like to refer to Matthew 6:10 NIV to better understand this topic.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Do you know what that declaration truly means? It proclaims that God’s will and God’s kingdom will be on this Earth just as it is in Heaven. The way we live, the things we do, say, and even think, should be as they will/would be if we were in Heaven right this moment.
Do you think anyone in God’s heavenly kingdom is bumping to Cardi B. right now? Do you truly believe any of the Patron Saints are listening to J. Cole ‘speak the truth’ on his tracks?
I highly doubt it.
So, if we aren’t going to hear these songs in Heaven, why entertain ourselves with them here on Earth? If they don’t make it into heavenly worship, then it’s because they bring nothing good to our lives.
My friends, there are two forces in this world. God and Satan. Everything in this world is inspired by one or the other. So when you aren’t sure if it is okay to enjoy something, ask yourself this; is it of God or of the world? Or, more bluntly, is this inspired by God or Satan?
That may sound harsh, like I’m looking at everything as either black or white. What about instrumental music? Is Beethoven of the devil? Is the Frozen soundtrack inspired by Satan? Can we even sing the Happy Birthday song?
In truth, the world is black or white. We just haven’t been taught to see it that way. Music either worships God or it doesn’t. It uplifts His Name and His Word or it doesn’t. It was inspired by Him or was brought into this world by the influence of the devil. It’s a difficult pill to swallow, but look at the Word.
Luke 19 39-40 NIV says, Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”
When the Pharisees tried to get Jesus to make his disciples be quiet (they were loudly praising God’s name in public) His response was that if they shut their mouths, then the rocks of the earth would cry out. They would take up the mantle and offer praises to God in their stead.
What does this have to do with listening to secular music?
My point is, if the rocks have the ability to be inspired by and influenced by God—what makes you think the music you listen to isn’t? What makes you think our music, our books, or our television and films are not inspired by God or by Satan?
When it comes to instrumental music, it might seem a little difficult to decide what is and what isn’t of God without lyrics to make it plain and clear. This is why it is important to maintain a close relationship with God, because He knows the thoughts and hearts of us all. He can tell you what inspired the music you want to listen to; the problem is really that too many Christians act without first seeking God.
It is very possible for instrumental music to be inspired by God and created as a way to worship Him. Ryan Amon is a famous American composer who has made music for films/video games like Elysium, The Avengers, and Assassin’s Creed: Unity. With songs like, Light From Darkness, Messiah, and Elohim, he composed the album, Divinus, for his musical company called City of the Fallen. His music is considered ‘epic/soundtrack music’ but if you ask him what he calls it, he will tell you it is inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ and is meant to be epic worship music.
Amon has truly embraced the scripture, I Corinthians 10:31 NIV, … Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
My friend, it is so important for us to be careful of what we listen to as Christians. If there are artists who make instrumental or lyrical music inspired by Christ Jesus, then the reverse is also true. There are artists who make music inspired by Satan—whether knowingly or not.
When pop singer, Billie Eilish released the song, Bad Guy, she said in an interview that she had to channel demons to make the music for that single.
Still think everything you hear is innocent? Just because there aren’t any curse words or lyrics that outright worship Satan in the songs you enjoy doesn’t make it okay to listen to them. It isn’t a matter of how guilty or convicted you feel, it’s a matter of following I Corinthians 10:31 NIV.
I know I’m talking about music here, but don’t be mistaken, the same can be applied to the books we read and the shows and movies we watch. There are plenty of Christian alternatives to enjoy, you don’t have to dip into the world to find entertainment. Besides, don’t you want to support your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are using their God-given talents not only to worship Him, but to entertain YOU?
Proverbs 4:23 NIV tells us, Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
How do things get into your heart? First, they infiltrate your mind. How do they get into your mind? By seeing it, reading it, or listening to it.
So, my friend, what are you listening to? What are you allowing into your heart?
God bless.