What is it about music that can make our emotions change so much? How is it that a slow ballad can bring us to tears, a fast techno song can pump us up and get us ready for a sports game, a mellow song can create a fully relaxed atmosphere, and a rock song can make us want to get up and jump around? It’s a mystery how it all works, but music affects us all, and what’s certain is that it affects more than just our ears. It’s a form of entertainment that affects our mood, our feelings towards others, and our relationship with God.
I often wonder: how many Christians actually pay attention to the music they allow to enter their souls? The times in the past that I’ve chosen to listen to certain songs with lyrics that were obviously out of God’s standards just to hear a cool rhythm or beat are far too many to count. Only now do I realize how listening to many of those songs slowly but surely hurt my feelings about myself, my relationship with others, or worse yet, my relationship with God.
Every time we listen to something that goes against God’s standards we are saying “I know what they’re saying is wrong, but the music itself sounds so good, so I’m going to let the words dig into my soul and hopefully God will take away anything harmful.” I know this analogy has been used many times before, but it’s the same thing as: if you see a dog take a poop in your mom’s cookie batter, and eat the cookies willingly knowing that there’s dog poop in your cookies – all while hoping that God will keep the poop from affecting you. Don’t you think a sane person would spit out the cookie once they knew that there was poop inside? Even if it’s filled with delicious chocolate chips and perfectly edible cookie batter? So then why do we continue to listen to “poop filled” music just because it has a cool beat?
We’ve all experienced how music can affect our mood. Like I said above, sometimes certain songs just make you want to jump around or some make you want to cry. Knowing that we almost have the power to change our mood through the music we listen to, why would we listen to depressing music when we’re depressed or angry music when we’re angry? Don’t those things just dig you deeper into that present mood? The best way to bring yourself out of anger isn’t by yelling and punching. Those things just make you angrier. If you could change your mood by a song, why not listen to an inspiring song when you’re depressed or a song about forgiveness when you’re angry? Perhaps you should re-think your actions before you decide to listen to Slipknot sing about how great suicide is if you’re feeling a little depressed. I just don’t see how that kind of thing brings people out of depression.
Okay, so you think music isn’t really affecting your moods at all. You’re not listening to people sing songs about wanting to kill themselves, or getting angry because life has let you down. But have you ever stopped to think that the new heart-break song by Dashboard Confessional might be giving you false ideas about your current dating or marriage relationship? As long as people have been writing music, there have been songs about broken hearts. People love to vent about their lost romance through song. But what about the listener? Does it create similar thoughts? Here is an example of two different songs:
“So kiss me hard
’cause this will be the last time that I let you.
You will be back someday
and this awkward kiss that screams of other people’s lips will be of service
to keeping you away.” – Dashboard Confessional – The Best Deceptions
“Nobody’s ever gonna love you like I am
You never can deny that
Nobody’s ever gonna hold you like I am
I’ll love you ‘til I die
Until the day I die” – Third Day – ‘Till the Day I Die
If you listened to one of these songs over and over and over again, which one of these songs do you think would make you feel closer to your spouse (or significant other) and which one would make you wonder if you’re going to be cheated on? Which song brings you feelings of safety and warmth, and which one gives feelings of doubt and fear? If you’re waiting for me to answer the question, then I’ll tell you. For most people, hearing a song about people leaving creates thoughts that their spouse (or significant other) will leave them. If you hear a song about how much a guy loves his wife, you’re probably going to have better feelings about your own wife – You’ll find yourself agreeing with what you hear if you hear it often enough, be it good or bad.
“This ho, you can have her when I’m done. I ain’t gon’ keep her.” Do these words make you feel close to God? Curtis Jackson, who constantly thanks god for his successes, thinks that it doesn’t matter if he sings about mistreating women as long as he thanks god for his successes. I wonder if he’s thanking the God that created the universe, the same God who sent His one and only Son to die for us. Or perhaps is Curtis Jackson (otherwise known as 50 cent) thanking the “music industry god” for his successes? Either way, the words he sings (or raps) are definitely not glorifying to God. Some people seem to think that their words don’t mean anything, or that listening to those same words doesn’t do anything to their relationship with God. But nothing could be further from the truth. Ephesians 4:29 says Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. I don’t know about you, but to me that looks like God is telling us to keep our words positive towards others. Not only spoken word, but words in songs too. Positive words glorify God. Again, in Ephesians 5:3-5: Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes–these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is really an idolater who worships the things of this world. Isn’t that interesting? The Bible tells us not tell obscene stories or tell coarse jokes. Wouldn’t you think that would also apply to music? As in: don’t sing obscene songs filled with sexual immorality! Good songs are songs sung in thankfulness of God and all He’s created.
You don’t have to listen only to Hymns to glorify God. Any song that is in accordance with God’s values and standards is glorifying to Him. A simple love song telling the story of a boyfriend and girlfriend can be glorifying to God as long as His values and standards are kept. (For example, the song doesn’t mention sex outside marriage, or lusting after body parts). Songs that give God glory bring the listener closer to Him, just as songs that are opposed to His glory pull your relationship with Him apart.
Take care and discernment with you next time you turn on the radio or shop for CDs. Keep God and His standards in mind and you can find yourself coming closer to God and improving your life in the process. It’s a small step, but media discernment really can bring you closer to God and His plan for your life.