The Role of Music

To my children,

Our culture consumes one person after the next. It’s a tragedy, but the Bible warns:

“…that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

2 Timothy 3:1-5 KJV

I don’t want any of you to travel this path of self-destruction. So I’ll begin posting life lessons for you to read, meditate on, and apply to your life.

Let me start by asking four questions.

1. Do you listen to music?
2. Does the music you listen to affect your life?
3. Does the music you listen to affect the lives of others?
4. Do you have the right to listen to whatever music you want to listen to?

Did you know that music plays an integral part of shaping our culture. Music can be heard at weddings, dances, skating rinks, radio stations, concerts, stores, church services, parties, and the automated telephone system. Movies play music and so do alarm clocks and ring tones. Nations have national anthems, and many schools, whether private or public, elementary or college, usually offer music classes.

However, not all music is good for the body or soul.

The Origin of Music

Lucifer was the head of the ministry of music in Heaven. Tabrets, similar to tambourines, and pipes are percussion instruments that were prepared in Lucifer the day he was created. His purpose was to praise and worship God through sound.

“Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.”

Ezekiel 28:13 KJV

When Lucifer rebelled, God kicked him out of Heaven, along with his musical gifts. “Thy pomp is brought down to the grave, and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.” (Isaiah 14:11) A viol is a musical instrument with strings that are sounded my means of a bow drawn across them, similar to a harp.

Since Lucifer, also known as Satan, has an inherent connection with and a direct influence over music, please recognize that the world’s music comes from an evil source, no matter how lovely, beautiful, or pleasing it may sound to our ears.

Five Biblical Principles of Music

1. Preaching should be the central focus of worship and evangelism, not music.

Singing songs in church is to prepare our hearts and mind for the preaching that is to follow. Worshiping, through music, is to compliment our worship, through preaching. It should never be the other way around.

“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.”

1 Corinthians 1:21 KJV

2. Music should reflect the holiness of God.

God created music for His glory, and therefore, it should be used to reflect His holiness. Satan’s influence over the music industry appeals to the ears, but it draws people away from Christ. It does so by shifting focus from Christ to satisfying self (making one feel good). Music is not a matter of personal preference. Individual taste does not define right from wrong. In all areas of the Christian’s life, holiness matters.

“As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV

3. Music is intended to fulfill seven purposes.

Worship – “And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.” (2 Chronicles 29:28 KJV)

Thanksgiving – “Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:” (Psalm 147:7 KJV)

Rejoicing – “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.” (Psalm 98:4-5 KJV)

Consecration – “Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.” (Psalm 111:1 KJV)

Edification – “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16 KJV)

Evangelism – “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.” (Psalm 40:3 KJV)

Preservation of the Faith – “One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.” (Psalm 145:4-5 KJV)

4. Christian music should stand out and be separate.

The church is a called out assembly. Likewise, the Christian is called to come out and be separate. The act of separation involves being detached or disconnected. Christian music should not bridge the world’s styles and philosophy’s. The blending of Christian lyrics with the world’s musical style is still attached. It’s not separate and cannot glorify the Lord.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”

2 Corinthians 6:17 KJV

5. New songs are commended and helpful in worship.

Words carry thoughts. Thoughts do not carry words. So a new song that’s within the boundaries of Biblical guidelines should be encouraged.

“Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise in the congregation of the saints.”

Psalm 149:1 KJV

Three Types of Biblical Songs

Psalm – A Psalm is a sacred piece of music. It comes directly from God into the hands of man, through the Bible. God has provided us 150 Psalms.

Hymn – A hymn is a song which celebrates God and His work through Jesus Christ. It comes from mankind and is sung to God. A hymn teaches us doctrine or correction and should edify Believer’s in the counsel of God.

Spiritual Song – A spiritual song speaks about the burdens that mankind is under, which has been revealed by the Holy Spirit. While hymns are more doctrinal, spiritual songs give us the words to express our aspirations toward God. They encourage us to grow in the Spirit.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Colossians 3:16 KJV

Guard your heart against any music that doesn’t welcome the presence of God. The absence of God is an open invitation to the devil. He uses music to access minds and influence behavior. So take care, my children, to fill your mind with music that glorifies the Lord.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

1 Peter 5:8 KJV

With love,
Dad

P.S. Here’s the answers to the above questions.

1. Do you listen to music? YES
2. Does the music you listen to affect your life? YES
3. Does the music you listen to affect the lives of others? YES
4. Do you have the right to listen to whatever music you want to listen to? NO

📚 Lesson 1: The Role of Music