Music is a huge part of our lives. We listen to it when we are sad and want to reverse the effect of sadness. We listen to it when we are want to get hype when we are working out. We listen to it when we want to feel God’s presence. Whatever the reason, music is a major part of who we are. No human being (past, present, or future) has gone at least one day without listening to music. Music, depending on the type, can affect our mood but it does much more than that. Music can affect our spirit also. How can this be? Music can and will change our personality gradually if we allow it to. We hear excuses like, “I’m must enjoying the beat.” Or you may hear someone say, “It’s just music.” Well, I’m going to explain to you how important it is to monitor what you listen to and be careful what we allow to go into our spirit.
Music undoubtedly has addictive qualities. Picture this: you and your friend are having a conversation about a new Beyoncé album that has just come out. Your friend tells you that they enjoy the entire album and can’t wait for her to come to your respective city. You, however feel indifferent about the album, stating that it wasn’t her best. Your friend becomes defensive and calls you crazy because of your opinion and then tries earnestly to make a case for why the album is the best album she’s ever made and quite possibly, the best album of all time. I’m sure all who are reading this has had that conversation before about music and possibly have received that kind response. People will defend what they like but also will defend something that they feel they need.
Music affects the brain like no other thing can. It can hit the area of the brain that produces dopamine and oxytocin. These two molecules work together to cause habits and in worst cases addictions. The worst examples of these two molecules working together can be seen with drug and alcohol addicts. Music may not work as diabolically as drugs and alcohol but it does affect the same area of the brain.
Saul was the first king of Israel. He was handsome, tall, and charismatic. He seemed to be the perfect fit to lead Israel to victory against their enemies the Philistines. However, everything that glitters isn’t always gold. He was a foolish, disobedient, and jealous man. Because of his great sin against God, the Lord took His Spirit away from Saul which left him vulnerable to demonic attacks. To counter this, Saul had David, a gifted harp player, to come in and “play” the demons away. In fact, the bible states that “…when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him” (1 Samuel 16:23). Here’s my hypothesis: David was able to chase evil spirits away by playing music that gave glory and honor to God. Is it possible that certain music can be used to invite evil spirits as well?
I’m not going to get into naming all the artists because a
lot of that is subjective. But what I am going to do is invoke thought. I know
a lot of people some of which I know to be Christians. In talking to or hanging
out with them, I’ve learned that most listen to not only gospel or Christian
hip hop, but also secular music such as R&B, and hip hop (trap included).
I’m not saying any of this music is bad but I do know that a lot of the lyrics
of the songs in those particular genre tend to be very suggestive and vulgar.
Why do we have a tendency to listen to that type of music? There is music that
appeals to our spirit but there is also music that appeals to our flesh. One of
my acquaintances would say every time he wanted to get high, he would listen to
Wiz Khalifa. I know a lot of people who felt like thugs (oh boy) when they
listened to NWA. Music changes mood and if allowed, will eventually alter
personality. Nowadays, most music outside of gospel and contemporary Christian,
contains sexually explicit lyrics and it can invoke thoughts of a sexual
manner.
At some point in our lives, we have to be honest with
ourselves. Do we really want to give glory to God in all that we do? If so, why
do we listen to things that don’t give Him glory and basically honors the
flesh? Why is it so hard for us to shake things that can harm us in the long
run? We have to make the conclusion that if there is good music that is used to
glorify God, then there has to be music that can be used to glorify the devil. The
latter should be avoided at all cost.