Should Christians Listen to Secular Music?

I’m a lover of good music. As a musician, I’m always on the search for new songs played and recorded with skill. But as a Christian, I’m keenly aware that not all music is healthy for my relationship with Christ.

Often, when a new chart-topper plays over the radio, I’ve asked myself if it’s okay for Christians to listen to secular music.

When wrestling with these questions we often wish the Bible would just say yes or no. But it doesn’t. There’s no proverb addressing which music style will lead us into wisdom and no sermon on which bands we can listen too. Instead, the Bible says “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)

As Marshall Segal says, “We’re all prone to settle for simple, practical guidelines for life—just tell me what to do and when to do it—instead of constantly searching for deeper reasons to live and do everything we do.”

 

Settling for simple guidelines

This human condition – wanting to simply know right and wrong rather than seeking the wisdom of God – isn’t anything new. 

The nation of Israel also wanted a list of rules rather than personal fellowship with God. When God appeared and spoke to them in the wilderness, they told their leader Moses they never wanted God to speak to them again. Instead, they wanted Moses to communicate with God and then tell them what to do. They weren’t interested in a relationship with God, they just wanted to know what was right and what was wrong. 

So, God gave them the 10 commandments, and they proceeded to break every single one. 

 

Personal relationship

Would we also rather look to a black and white textbook, than to the only wise Lawgiver for guidance and wisdom? Do we hesitate to invest time and effort into a personal relationship with Jesus, learning from Him what is wise and good?

God invites us to dive into a relationship with Him; to spend our lives seeking to know Him and love Him. Don’t exchange the measureless joy of coming before His throne to seek wisdom for a checklist of do’s and don’ts.

Accept Christ’s invitation and get to know Him. Trust that He will guide you in your music choices. 

As you think through whether or not to download the latest album on iTunes, stop asking “is it okay for me to listen to this song?” Instead, ask “will this help me to know and love Jesus Christ?”

 

Does it help you know God?

Do the lyrics reflect the character of God? Do they reflect what you know to be true about creation and man? Or do they contradict the character of God and distort His creation?

Does the music style reflect the character of God? Or does the style reflect the nature of evil? (Note: not all upbeat, joyful music is God-glorifying, and not all sorrowful music is evil. God gets angry and sorrowful over sin. But His anger isn’t rash – it’s righteous – and his sorrow isn’t depressing – it’s full of hope. God rejoices over holiness and beauty – not immorality and wickedness.)

 

Does it help you love God?

Does your music leave you satisfied in God? Does it cause you to rejoice over His creation and love His people? Does it leave you hungry for righteousness? 

Or does your music leave you bored with God? Does it create discontentment with your current circumstances and leave you hungering after the things of this world? 

 

Is your music producing the fruit of the Spirit in your life? 

Love for God and people. Joy in life and in the gospel. Peace from anxiety and fear. Patience to wait on God’s timing and endure suffering. Kindness in your speech and actions. Goodness. Faithfulness towards God, your friends, your family, your future spouse, your work, and school. Gentleness. Self-control – helping you guard your heart, mind, words, and actions.

Or is music producing in you the fruit of the flesh? 

Idolatry – loving anything more than God – such as the band or artist, a relationship, or things. Hatred towards God, your friends, or your family. Arguments with parents, teachers, friends, or God. Jealousy towards others. Selfishness – looking out for yourself and neglecting others. Immorality or sexual impurity both in your mind and in your body. 

 

Using the questions above as a filter for what I listen to has eliminated many secular songs from my repertoire. If music leads us away from a relationship with Jesus or leaves us seeking satisfaction in things other than God, it’s time to press pause and hit delete. 

Music can be a powerful tool to increase our knowledge of God and fan into flame our enjoyment and love of Him. Fill your iTunes library with God-glorifying sound and let your headphones become the speakers of truth and the soundtrack of passion. 

 

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• What are your thoughts on Christians listening to secular music? 
• Do you find that most of the music you listen to produces in your heart the fruit of the spirit or the fruit of the flesh?