Choosing the Right Music
By Tori Harris
Music is one of life’s simple pleasures. I personally love music. I enjoy playing guitar and singing, and I also listen to music all the time. As I wrote this article, I was listening to music. Whether we are hearing it or singing it, we need to make sure that we are choosing the right kind of music. I’m not talking about the beat, artist, or genre, but the content.
I sometimes have a hard time finding new music that is clean and modest. There are so many songs out there with curse words in them. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” We need to be careful what we are putting into our minds. We are to stay focused on godly things (Philippians 4:8), and if you continuously hear curse words, your mind will be focused on them, and it can also become a temptation to use them. But curse words are not the only thing that need to be avoided. It is just as important to stay away from songs with inappropriately suggestive lyrics, which will also make you think about sinful things.
Another thing to consider is the overall meaning of the lyrics. There are many songs like this, that do not present the attitude of a Christian. The messages of these songs talk about things like how much better and stronger I am than anyone else, or taking revenge on someone who hurt me. This goes against what is taught in the Bible about how we should act. Romans 12:16 says, “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.” Verses 17-21 continues on to say, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head’. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
It can be a challenge to find proper, clean music, but it does exist! It can help to talk to other Christians, and ask them what they listen to, and share the songs to which you listen. I do this with a friend sometimes, and it helps me so much with finding new music. Christians should strive to stay away from songs with bad language, anything inappropriate, and look carefully at the message of the song. Avoiding these things will allow you the pleasure of music while still pleasing God.