|
Post by LDM on Jun 14, 2009 9:37:17 GMT -5
Is music just an innocent form of entertainment? We know from the Scriptures that Lucifer was created as a musical being. "Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Ezekiel 28:13-15Lucifer was created as the perfect instrument of praise. In his body were musical instruments. He was the anointed cherub that covereth. We are presented with an image of a being that was full of light and music. The Scripture does not say that Lucifer created music. He was created by God to usher in musical worship and praise. In light of Lucifer's fall, should we assume that all music us innocent? Would a being created to be musical not use the talents he was given in order to deceive? Many young people and even Christians seem to find this idea incomprehensible. With the exaltation of entertainment stars and shows such as American idol, worshiping these performers as stars has become the norm. This idolatry has blinded many to the reality of the spiritual nature of music. Music is first and foremost spiritual. There are a series of videos that examine artists and their spiritual influences. This is a must see for those who want to understand how certain music is being used to exert demonic influence over people. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XlWlKDLwsU&feature=PlayList&p=E3E086253F5BBF50&index=0&playnext=1
|
|
|
Post by newstartnow on Jun 22, 2009 10:07:25 GMT -5
I don't think "it's just music" or "it's the lyrics, not the beat".
Music can enter into you without you being aware of its entrance. I believe every song (lyrics or no lyrics) has a spirit attached to it. The spirit is either good or evil. Now it may affect people in different ways...some people not at all, some people in a potent way.
I have stopped listening to secular music and mostly all "Christian music". Many recording artist, even Christian, are operating in evil spirits. Even if they start off relatively clean and simple over time they start pushing the limits and become sexual and worldly.
I was watching a sermon on video yesterday (very annointed teacher) and he mentioned the song "Hotel California". He was telling about its demonic nature. I haven't listened to that song in over a year, and even when I listened to it was in passing it on the radio. I never owned the album or anything.
Do you know I couldn't get it out of my head after he said the title? He didn't play it or sing the lyrics. He just mentioned the title.
Obviously I need deliverance from that song.
|
|
|
Post by chicacanella on Jun 25, 2009 11:12:46 GMT -5
NewStartNow,
I would like to see the video you are talking about. I know the song and I think it's talking about fornication or adultery.
But what I've come to learn is that I examine the beat, the lyrics, the image of the artist and most importantly, "Does it glorify God?"
There are very few secular songs that I listen to and the reason there are very few is because many of them don't match up with the criteria mentioned. Most of them are love songs and the reason I don't see a problem with some of these songs and artists is because of Songs of Solomon. But of course I would like to know what you all think about this and is there a difference between listening to love songs and the Song of Solomon.
I don't feel conviction when listening to certain songs but maybe somehow I am not paying attention enough to the voice of The Holy Spirit.
There's a song called, "Spend My Life With You" by Eric Benet and Tamia that is so beautiful. Then another song for married women is Day Dreaming by Aretha Franklin.
Anyhow, I'd like to hear your perspectives.
|
|
|
Post by newstartnow on Jun 25, 2009 19:58:50 GMT -5
This is the link to the video. It only contains a small mention of "Hotel California" because the message itself is about all the witchcraft around us. I think you have to register to the forum to view it: messianicevangelicals.ning.com/video/how-can-i-tell-if-im-a-witchThis is a short article explaining that Hotel California is actually a reference to the church of Satan: [ www.itwillpass.com/facts-Hotel-California-Eagles-first-Satanic-Church.shtmlI do have a problem with secular love songs because these people are not Christians. If I recall correctly, Halle Berry divorced Eric Benet because he was a sex addict. Sometimes we want the Holy Spirit to convict on things that He shouldn't have to because we already know it's wrong? We don't need Him to tell us that going 55 in a 25mph zone is wrong. We already know it is. Please understand that the spirit of the author of these songs follows the song; just like David's music played the evil spirit away from Saul...music is powerful. Even when we don't think a song is affecting us it is. You don't intentionally learn the lyrics and music to well-known TV commercials but your brain records them anyway. Music can be an open door to the enemy. It makes us emotionally vulnerable, desensitizes us to the Anti-Christ agenda, causes us to unknowingly praise Satan through the lyrics, and if conditions are right can play an evil spirit into us.
|
|
|
Post by need2bdelivered on Jul 13, 2009 3:05:51 GMT -5
Do any of you believe that there is a way to listen to music and not be inhibited by demonic spirits? There are some secular music by secular artists that teach: "l've been through alot in my life and He has delivered my from the evilness that had my soul". Or "Love yourself and be you"? Not actual quotes from songs but the overall meaning of it.
I would really like to know! THANKS!
|
|
|
Post by LDM on Jul 13, 2009 7:46:13 GMT -5
I am glad to share my opinion. The problem with worldly music is that it carries a worldly spirit. There is simply no way around that. The world is never going to produce something to exalt Jesus, because the god of this world is the enemy of God.
I had family in town this weekend because my cousin was invited to participate in a basketball tournament to play for college scouts who are looking for picks. It offers an interesting parallel here.
These teams playing against each other are both playing to win. Would we expect one of the teams to purposefully do anything that helps the other? No. Each step, every move, each play is calculated to thwart the other team and gain an advantage. And this is just for sport!
We must not think that Satan is any less serious or strategic. Everything he does is with the intent to gain an advantage in man's soul over God.
I would never say, "Don't listen to any secular music" as I think such decisions must be made between individuals and God. In fact, if you stop listening to secular music and still desire to in your heart, then what is the difference? If a man never commits adultery but longs to in his heart, Jesus says it is just as if he has committed the act. I am not saying that listening to secular music is like committing adultery. I am just saying what matters most is what spirit is motivating your heart.
I do not actively listen to secular music in years, nor do I listen to most contemporary "Christian" music. We have a stash of Christian CDs we listen to and if we come across some other Christian musics we like, we will add it in. Is this what everyone should do? That is not for me to say. But this is what we do.
Some might say, "Oh, it ain't all that serious. Go on and enjoy yourself and cut out all that talk about demons. It is just music and God wants us to enjoy ourselves." But these are honestly the times we are in. It is extremely devious out there, worse than I certainly have ever seen it.
I think every Christian must begin to appreciate and discern the times we are in. This is a time of war. Paul told Timothy that no man at war gets tangled up in the things of this life so that he can please the One who has called him to be a soldier.
When I first came to know the Lord, He led me to read Esther. I felt an immediate kinship for her and her role. Particularly, I felt that the words to Esther, "...perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this" were words specifically relevant for me. This is why that verse is the accompanying text for this ministry.
This message is particularly hard for young people. Why can't I just party? Why can't I just relax and enjoy life with my friends? My answer is, "Perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this."
If God has placed upon your heart to know that there is more to music than it seems, then He is giving you this knowledge for a reason. Seek His direction to know what He wants you to do in this matter.
I can tell you first-hand that I do not miss secular music at all! God has given me joy and peace in the things that glorify Him. My children and I will sing, dance and truly enjoy ourselves as we listen to these songs. I am by no means "denying" myself, but rather I have found fulfillment in things that are pleasing to Him. He has changed my desires.
"Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." Psalms 37:4
As my children get older, they have to make these decisions for themselves. Up until now, they have only had praise and worship music in their ipods. But this weekend, my mother downloaded some Disney movie soundtracks for them. These of course were secular songs.
Yet, even as they listened, they came to me about songs they thought were inappropriate and asked to have them removed. Again, this is not about bondage, but it is about letting the Lord lead you and being wise. While my preference would be for my children not to listen to secular music at all, that is unrealistic. I am not with them 24 hours a day and even if I was, they must make these decisions for themselves. So right now, they have to get approval before downloading any music so that my husband and I have the opportunity to review it. My prayer is just that they will be sensitive enough to the Spirit of God to know when to follow His leading.
So, I don't know if this has helped much, but keep pressing on. As God opens your eyes to what is around you, continue to ask Him for guidance and wisdom about what to do in all things.
|
|
|
Post by jesusservant on Sept 5, 2009 13:14:54 GMT -5
hi guys i also have this dilemma of which songs to listen 2. i had alot of secular music before i got saved which is just recently so as i was going through deleting most of the songs, i felt that i should keep some because they either reminded me of my original country or were about love (r&b, reggae), do u think am being deceived by the devil or Jesus doesn't mind as long as they're mild worldly songs which make you feel good?
|
|
|
Post by LDM on Sept 6, 2009 10:26:40 GMT -5
I'd say get rid of what you believe you should get rid off and go from there. If there songs you are listening to which God doesn't like, He is going to let you know. You may feel it in your spirit or you just may start no liking the song as much.
The key here is to keep yourself before God so that you are sensitive to His move. Let HIM mold and shape you. He is the potter. That means it is your responsibility to remain before Him and His responsibility to change what needs to be changed.
When coming to Jesus, it gets easy to be drawn into legalism. I cannot do this, I cannot do that. But, God's answer is not primarily restrictive. He is not interested in stopping you from listening to or doing certain things, He wants to change your heart so that you no longer have a desire to do things which are not pleasing to Him.
You have cleaned out what you felt you needed to. Continue in prayer and study time. Seek out the Lord and follow His direction as He gives it to you. That is all you need to do.
|
|
|
Post by frenchieelly777 on Sept 7, 2009 9:58:05 GMT -5
HI Brothers and sisters, This topic is very interesting , I am experiencing weird things these days about music. I often wake up in the morning and some worldly song I haven't listened to in ages or even a song that I haven't heard like the day before comes up in my head. It makes me wonder how come ? Sometimes the same thing happens but with a Christian song, I am glad when I wake up with a praise song in my head but the contrary really annoys me. So, indeed music is very powerful, I can tell because my husband is not a Christian reborn yet so I happen to have wordly music played in my house (which irritates me). There are still a lot of Michael Jackson's song, and I am sure the spirits behind the beats are demonic. When these songs are played, I sometime see myself humming or dancing , than I kind of wake up and I stop. I thank God because He has changed the way I felt and appreciated things that don't please Him. everything is allowed but not all is useful. I am currently working on myself to detach myself from the things that do not please Him, so is secular music. I praise Him because He did pulled me away a very long time ago from reading things that are not spiritual. even before I gave my life to Christ I remember that I would not be able to read a mere novel, I felt it was a waste of time and if I had some time to read something I had better read the Bible... As far as I am concerned, God dealt with music for me. I have progressively erased music from my ipod too. It was not easy because, as I did there were songs I still did not want to delete, because they would help me entertain myself a little bit. I used to have rnb music, dancehall, zouk [west indies love songs, too often sex oriented songs], dance music from central africa etc) but when I gave my life to Jesus, the Spirit of God worked in me and had me erase more and more music from my playlist. I praise Him because it really was gradual, now I can't listen to anything else than Christian music. Because the Spirit made me understand/feel it was good and pleasing God. He really is the One who does the job. I do not miss secular music because I prefer to worship him. My brother explained that the Spirit that is in me now is different from the one that made me enjoy secular music in the past. By the way the "blinded by light" videos also showed me that some "love songs" may be worship of evil spirits or satan in disguise. Beyonce's Halo song looks like a nice love song, about a girl who just loves a boyfriend...
|
|