This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you.
Usher, Destiny’s Child, Eminem, 50 cents, Lil wayne.. As a pre-teen, the sounds of these artists vibrated against my bedroom walls day in and day out. My momma must have been really tired 😂😂😂.
If you are an 80’s or 90’s baby, you know what I’m talking about. You know what it felt like to wait in anticipation, for months, on the release of your favorite artists’ CD to drop. Release day accompanied long lines but it was all worth it to finally get that CD popped in the CD player only to replay it for weeks to come.
For many of us, music was everything and the way we chose to express ourselves. It was our way of communicating profound and complex teenage emotions that we would otherwise find difficult to express.
Personally, music became a deep part of my life. As I grew older, trap and rap music became my music of choice. I was saved but still loved trap music 😩🙈🤷🏾♀️.
That is until it all changed…
About 6 years ago, I was in the process of recommitting my life to Christ (I talk about it in my book).
While walking the streets of Toronto with my headphones in my ear, I was about to play one of my favorite songs (which was probably really raunchy). Well, my headphones were not the only thing in my ear. So was God.
I felt a deep conviction to stop listening to the music I had grown accustomed to. I had a choice to make. I could either ignore the conviction in my heart (and continue to be the saved girl that loved trap music) or I could choose to do what I knew God was leading me to do. I chose the latter.
Let’s talk all about this hot topic. Music!
Should Christians Listen To Secular Music?
There are Christians all over the world debating this very question. Is it or is it not a sin to listen to secular music?
The truth is, I’m not here to give you a lecture on what music you should or should not listen to. I’m certainly not here to tell you listening to all secular music is a sin and that you will burn because of it.
I would however like to lead you down a path of your own introspection by asking yourself these three upcoming questions. Journey with me as we analyze the impact of the music you allow into your heart.
Is It Beneficial?
Do you believe as a Christian, listening to secular music is beneficial to your life?
Personally, it was not beneficial for me. In retrospect, I understand why God directed me to leave the sounds of Nicki Minaj and Drake in the dust.
Music became an idol in my heart. I spent hours and hours of each day listening to songs that forever became imprinted in my heart. Until this day one familiar sound or beat would bring every lyric back to my mind no matter how long I have not listened to that particular song.
During my obsession with secular music, I knew the hottest songs inside and out. It did not stop there. I knew all the celebrity gossip.
- Which artists were dating.
- Who got a divorce.
- The names of their children.
Clearly, I was hooked. In order for God to truly move in my life, separation was necessary. It was time for a music detox.
What would soon prove to be beneficial was meditating on the word of God. God’s Word alone had the power to change me. His word carried the weight to help me to be removed from addictions and cycles.
If I wanted to change, that music had to go.
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial.
-1 Corinthians 10:23
What Is The Message?
Music is more than just a nice beat. It is more than something to bob your head to or twerk it out. Every song has a message.
Recently, I have been taking the time to improve my writing skills. The more I have learned about writing, the more I realize there is an art to writing that is connected across industries.
- There is an art to writing a blog.
- There is an art to writing a movie script or trailer.
- There is an art to writing a song.
Still, no matter what you are writing, there is one question every writer has to ask before writing one word.
What is the message I want my reader, listener, and audience to walk away with?
In other words, “What is the objective of this literary piece?”
Believe it or not, the songs you are listening to were created to send a message and incite a particular mood within you.
- The message in a love song is meant to incite the emotions of love.
- The message in a dance song is meant to make you get it on the floor.
Whether you realize it or not, as you listen to a song, there is a message you will take with you. Seeds are being planted in your heart.
I have a bonus question for you.
Is the message in the songs you are listening to in alignment with the message you want your life to speak?
Whether your answer is yes or no, know that what you constantly listen to will eventually become what you live.
What goes in must come out. You are what you eat spiritually.
What Is God Telling You?
Do you feel a conviction when you listen to certain songs? Do you get a sense of I should turn this off right now?
Well hun, that is God talking to you. There is a reason you do not feel peaceful about listening to that music.
God did the exact same to me as I listened to certain songs. It was not scripture, a Pastor, or even a sermon that told me to stop. It was a clear uncomfortable feeling directing me to stop listening to those songs, immediately.
Here is the dangerous part. If you choose to ignore that nudging, eventually it gets quieter and quieter. Soon you will have no reservation about indulging in what God is trying to pull you away from.
In other words, your heart will become hardened in this area. A hardened heart is never good.
How Do I Stop Listening To Secular Music?
After our introspect, perhaps you have concluded it would be best to change your musical choice. Here is how I did.
-
Resist & Replace
Shut it down right away. After I received that strong conviction from God, soon after, I deleted all secular songs out of my phone. I then got rid of the CDs in my car. My first point of resistance was to remove immediate access.
I then began to create playlists of Christian gospel songs that I enjoyed. Each time I got an urge to listen to a secular song, I pulled up a gospel song I enjoyed instead. Bit by bit, the desire to listen to secular music went away. I thoroughly began to enjoy the gospel music I was listening to.
For you, you may need a new youtube playlist (check out mine). Whatever you do, remove the music you do not want to listen to and replace it with what you do want to listen to.
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
-James 4:7
-
Pray For New Desires
Ask God to change your desires and taste in music. I know it may not seem like it, but your desires can change.
Think about it. You do not have the same interest and desires you did at 3 years old. Barbies and cartoons are more than likely not as appealing. You matured and as a result, your desires changed.
This can also happen in your Christian walk. As you walk with God and give your issues to Him, through His strength, He can give you new desires.
Continually pray asking God to help you in this area. His Grace, wisdom, and peace will meet you.
I’m no longer the saved girl that loves trap music, however, I could have been if I did not make a decision to be obedient to God. If you find yourself listening to music that you know in your heart you should be letting go of, I feel you and I understand. I’m certainly not here to judge you.
However,
- If the music is not beneficial to you.
- If the message of the music is not what you would like to live out.
- If you feel convicted and God is nudging you to stop listening to those songs.
It’s time to let it go.
I want you to know it is possible to submit this area of your life to God. Like anything else God asks us to do, it’s always for our benefit and growth.
I’m here for you and praying for you!
Until Next Time.
Be strong. Be Courageous. Serve God Wholeheartedly.
P.S. To hear more about my story, grab a copy of my book, “I’m 25, Now What” here.
