The Christian Youth and Music Pt. 1

“Music once admitted to the soul, becomes a sort of spirit and never dies” - Edward Bulwer- Lytton

“Where words leave off, music begins” – Heinrich Heine

“Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life, bringing peace, abolishing strife” – Kahlil Gibran

The above quotations narrate the potency of music on human soul and spirit. The power of music whatever field it may be considered cannot be overemphasised. It is from this premise that this article seeks to admonish the Christian youth to be selective of the kind of music they seek to avail themselves to. 

Going through scripture from Genesis to Revelation, the importance of music in worship is clearly highlighted. However, it is important to also appreciate the fact that, the use of music in worship is not only limited to the worship of God (Jehovah), but also to the worship of all other spiritual entities. Thus, music plays a key role in all religions. Which then means that music as a tool of worship cannot be downplayed regarding its spiritual and soulical impacts.

Apart from the religious settings, music also plays very important role in our socio-cultural settings, serving as one of the key modes through which society and cultures expresses itself.

The Bible Admonishes...

Colossians 3:16-17: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him (cf. Ephesians 5:19a)

Scripture defines the categories of music the believer must be engaged with and these include psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. These are the songs that bring edification to the soul; not only that, but also serve as medium of worship of the One True God.

Though the various categories of music for the believer have been defined by scripture, this article goes further to propose factors one can consider before relating with any kind of music. This is necessary because the youth on daily basis is confronted with several kinds and types of music, of which one would have to be conscious of what such music seek to offer.

a.   Purpose: Music is written with a purpose in mind or what one will call “the concept” behind a song. One must therefore subject a song to the question: what is the purpose or the concept behind this song, and to what extent can I be identified with this purpose? It is out of the purpose we identify the values the song seeks to encourage or promote. If the song is classified by the author as a love song; one must then ask, what kind of love does it promote – lust, sensuality, infatuation or godly love? Again one must also consider the frame or package within which this love is presented or does manifest – profanity/nudity or a godly atmosphere where the love of God becomes the reference point. Considering an era, where sex has be devalued into a commodity, it has become the point of many secular music where its distorted form is always portrayed. Unfortunately, women become the objects of such distortion.

b.   Message: Examine the words of the song (the lyrics) and consider its message. Does the song communicate the Word of God or the intents of God? Paul from the scripture reference above admonishes, that whatever we seek to do, we must do it to the glory of God. If we then seek to glorify God, it is important that the messages of the songs we identify with are consistent with what God admonishes.

c.    Associative Behaviour: No music exists in a vacuum – every piece of music can be associated with some group of people or a certain kind of behaviour or attitude. Here the question that comes up for consideration is, “What does the music bring to mind or generate in the heart of the worshipper – violence, cheating, drinking, smoking, truancy, infidelity, prostitution, disloyalty or faithfulness, godliness, gentleness?

d.   Emotional Factor: Music stirs our emotions; either  negative or positive. The emotions test asks, "Does the music stir our negative or sinful feelings?" The ideal music for the Christian should stir our passion for godliness, prayer and righteous living.

e.   The Vessel involved: Who is the vessel behind the music, and what has been the source of his or her inspiration? Sometimes in seeking public attention and sympathy, some secular musicians can be very deceptive. They periodically come up with gospel songs to gain the attention of the public; especially Christians.

As I bring the first part of this article to an end, it is important to quote

Philippians 4:8 which provides an excellent guide to the choice of music for the discerning believer:

“Finally, brothers, 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.”

Does the song represent the truth, are the words noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy? Think about these.

By: Ps. Benedict Eghan