Bono of U2 left, along with John Mayer and a host of others just this afternoon. Well, they left not of their own free will, but because I decided that it was time to kick them out.
Out of my iTunes collection.
You see, I just did a purge of all secular music from my iTunes library and have invited musicians like Don Moen, Paul Baloche, Paul Wilbur and groups like MercyMe and Casting Crowns to take up residence in their stead.
I’ve been listening to very little secular music of late, and I know not why but I have also developed a little distaste for the music that these musicians produce. In addition, it doesn’t help that I’ve also been learning of how some of these artistes are promoting un-Biblical values in their lives and through their music that I don’t agree with.
And if I don’t agree with un-Biblical world views, why should I then inundate my mind with them?
Instead, I think it better that I take the Apostle Paul’s advice in Philippians 4:8. It doesn’t say anything about listening to Christian music, but I am of the view that the teaching does apply.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
Now I need to decide what I should do with the thousand-odd secular CDs I have in the study since I don’t believe I’ll be listening to them again (giving them away isn’t an option, as I have no intention of making anyone stumble).
And I’ll need to clear some space for the new CDs I’ll be acquiring…
Picture is the Album Cover of the latest CD I bought: Paul Wilbur’s Praise Adonai.
Tags: Apple, Casting Crowns, Christian Music, Compact Disc, Don Moen, iTunes, John Mayer, MercyMe, Music, Paul Baloche, Paul Wilbur, U2
-
I’ve heard that Lucifer was the worship leader in heaven before the fall, and that he still have great influence on the music played and created in the earthly realm. Therefore it’s important to separate what you allow your ears to hear.
-
Aww man, not Bono! :-O
To be honest, I never found Christian music to be that much better either, since I think much of it seems to be polluted by fakers who couldn’t hack it in mainstream, so they sanitized their music a little to market it towards a more gullible Christian audience.
But tell me you will at least keep the album that has the song “It’s Raining Men!”
-
Oh sicarii I love paul Wilbur, Don Moen e.t.c, and I think we all should take a clue from you on this for am also guilty of loving music so much but daily am drawing the line there was a time I asked the lord to make me stop watchin MTV this was like 5 years ago and i thought it was going to be tough but guess what? today i don’t even look at MTV or other music channels for that matter cos I know that God Almighty killed that spirit in me for good… even though I know you have made this honorable decision
Like I always say we must keep looking for ways to please God daily am happy that you have taken a stand but a word of adviceGodbless you so much for sharing and also the honesty too.
-
I am not a Christian. Will you share your secular CDs with me then? Appreciate it. I love music of all genres - oh yeah - i do have Jars of Clay.
contact me at the above (non-published) email address if you are generous to share the joy of secular music with me. -
hiya Precious:
That’s what I read/heard as well — that Lucifer was the worship leader in heaven before he went “huh? I want some of that glory!” and fell.
I agree with you totally.
To be honest, I am quite selective even when it comes to Christian music. I do read up about an artiste, their affiliations and their personal beliefs. I also don’t buy into Christian rap, R&B or heavy metal either.
-
Hi Isaiah,
Don Moen is my favorite! He is gifted to take people into His Presence to fulfill His hearts desires.
I personally don’t listen to anything that does not build my spirit man. Paul’s instructions are clear and simple that we are to speak to ourselves in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. =)
Sidharth
-
Oh, Scripture tells us that Lucifer had instruments built within him! You can read about that in Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28.
Sidharth
-
Lincoln:
LOL, you’re funny dude. It’s raining men indeed… rofl!
I am not so sure about that claim but there have also been gospel singers who have made successful crossovers into secular music, e.g. Amy Grant. I am not defending either side, but as I told Precious, I am very selective when it comes to Christian music.
For me, if some musician claims that his or her music is Christian, then that Christian part has to be manifested not only in the music genre, but the lyric and his or her Christian life as well.
For one, I certainly won’t take any song that praises Mary and calls her Mother or Co-Redemptrix or whatever to be Christian!
God bless, brother.
Shalom.
-
Dear ChannelofHealing:
I am definitely no role model, no way! I do try to be better, but certainly not a role model or an example.
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I think your post got cut off or something because you were going to offer me some advice then it trailed off. I would love to read it.MTV is horrible nowadays — I watched it the other day and was aghast at this “Sweet 16″ show where 16-year-olds are led to living the ‘good’ but decadent life on their birthdays.
God bless, and Shalom Aleichem.
-
Dear Cheng:
Thank you for visiting my blog and sharing your comments.
I’ll get back to you via email after considering your proposal.
-
hi Sidharth:
Wow, you’re the third or fourth person who likes Don Moen. I think I should check out more of his music then!
Now I know where I’ve read that part about Lucifer! Thank you for reminding me. I can’t imagine how he has instruments built within him though, but our God is all-powerful and can surely do whatever is His pleasure.
God bless, and Shalom Aleichem.
-
Well, Isaiah, I must say I am proud of you!!! I can only pray my husband will take a stance such as you have. As you know, I only listen to Christian music, and have for quite awhile now. I will have to be more on top of my music selections for you, won’t I? I will have to find all the music I really enjoy, and share it with you.
Don’t forget to buy Matthew West’s when it comes out. There’s also Matt Redman, BarlowGirl, Ginny Owens, Jeremy Camp, David Crowder Band, oh, and soooo many others. Check out my music player on my site (it will start automatically when you go to my site, but I placed it there, specifically for those like you, that want to hear some uplifting Christian music.) You can scroll to the bottom of my posts, and see what artists are being played. I will be adding more, as I can. (I’ve found I kinda like being your “world famous DJ) Blessings and Shalom! As an aside, you know, many people think that Bono of U2 is actually a Christian. The only problem I have with him, is that if he is, he seems to be ashamed of this fact, because he has not come out and said so. Many of his lyrics do have a Christain feel to them. But anyway. Congrats on deciding to “guard your heart.” -
Lincoln: “To be honest, I never found Christian music to be that much better either, since I think much of it seems to be polluted by fakers who couldn’t hack it in mainstream, so they sanitized their music a little to market it towards a more gullible Christian audience.”
Lincoln, I’m not crazy about the Christian music “industry”–in fact, it annoys me that it even *is* and industry–but your comment is an amazingly broad generalization. And I really disagree with it. I’m sure there are some who have turned to Christian music just because they couldn’t hack it in the mainstream, but I believe the majority of the artists truly want to use their talents for God.
I’ve been in Christian radio for over 25 years, and I’ve seen the best and the worst. I’ve also had the opportunity to interview dozens of artists and bands, and it’s hard to fake the sincerity I’ve seen up close and personal.
Joie de Vivre, use your God-given discernment and you will find much in Christian music to bless you and encourage you in your walk with Christ.
-
Cindy, most of secular music is utter crap, and the Christian music genre isn’t that much better either. But maybe I’m just picky.
I just happen to find that particular genre amazingly execrable, and I think part of the reason why is because of the pretenders I mentioned before. Then again it’s hard to match the quality of Michael W. Smith, Steve Curtis Chapman and the classic Keith Green. -
Hi Isaiah,
Here’s the Scripture that says that Lucifer had some musical instrument built within him:
“…the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.” [Ezekiel 28:13]
Tabrets is Toph in Hebrew which is an instrument like the Tambourine or Timbrel. He even had pipes built in him. Interesting eh?
Sidharth
-
Dear Sidharth:
Wow, thank you so much for helping to check up on the verses and sharing it with everyone here!
It is of no wonder that the devil can sometimes make the most enticing secular music that captures our minds away from filling ourselves with all things from God that edifies.
Yet, we should not forget that it is God that gave the devil the ability to make music, so it is God who is the Chief Musician, and He alone is the Master of all including our musical talents.
God bless, and Shalom Aleichem.
-
Dear Shalene:
Thank you, sister! It took me some time to come to this decision, so it has to be a gradual change. I do realize that with God, changes don’t happen overnight for some things, because He knows how much we don’t really like change, lol!
A transformation of one’s musical taste from the secular will be gradual, and it was, for me, preceded by a growing distaste and rejection of much that is secular and finding myself drawn more and more to the things that glorify and please God the Father.
I appreciate it very much that you are the one who introduced me to so much of the good in Christian music. You are a true DJ!
For that I thank you. And yea, I also saw the little player you have — love it, love it! Keep up the great work, sister, you are definitely spreading God’s love through music and you are doing a great job!With regards to Bono, I am unsure as to his faith/religion. He claims to believe in Christ Jesus, but with songs like “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”, it seems that he is saying that Christ Jesus is not whom he is searching for. There’s a good video on what Bono has been saying and doing.
There’s a good video on Bono and his band on GodTube. While I can’t say that we should believe everything that the video claims, it is nevertheless an interesting insight. You can watch the video here:
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=62555582b513ff9d0249
-
Dear Cindy:
Thank you for visiting my blog and sharing. I definitely enjoyed the little discussion you had going with Lincoln. Unfortunately, I haven’t done that much research into the relationship between secular and Christian artistes to comment, so I shall stay out of it for the time being.
I just visited your blog and I must say I enjoyed reading it, and your grandson is the cutest!
God bless, and Shalom Aleichem. -
I battled with the same thing years ago - I was a music nut!!! I had promo copies from the record pool in NY - I even counted bpm’s and labeled pre-releases for the director. I had different people telling me about secular music and even some Christian music but I wouldn’t listen. So after years of collecting, and listening to people “rail on me”, I watched a video on this and was instantly convicted. I also wondered what to do with my extensive library and giving them to others was not an option. So I enlisted a friend of mine to help load up my trunk with my music and find a dumpster. I’ll admit that I still like the beat but it doesn’t have the hold on me it once did. I buy a secular cd here and there but then I end up throwing it away.
Music was intended to be worshipful of God and Lucifer was in charge of that ministry. But when he fell, his ‘ministry’ or office was not taken from him (and there’s nothing to indicate that is has) and so it’s no wonder that the “best” music we have today is ultimately from the master conductor - Satan.
-
Dear Carol:
That sounds like a good idea — loading the secular CDs into a truck and dumping them. I’d rather dump them than cause someone to stumble or help spread the devil’s music to others by giving them away even to non-believers.
It is very obvious that Satan has a very good hold on secular music — numerous pop/rock hits keep surfacing that entice one back to listening to them with their attractive hooks and beats. It does take a lot of willpower for someone like me who has just turned away to stay focused.
God bless, and Shalom Aleichem.
21 comments
Comments feed for this article
Trackback link: http://wordnverse.com/2007/11/05/goodbye-u2-john-mayer-and-others/trackback/