Expert: Scott Talbot - 8/17/2004

Question
Hi Scott,

I find myself liking a lot of secular rock music.  One in particular contains music tunes that are very "dark" but the lyrics are not sinful by any means.   I don't find myself thinking about sin when listening to this type of music but is it still appropriate for a Christian to listen to this type of music?  

The whole irony is that I know I wouldn't be playing this music if Christ were here.  Yet at the same time I can't pinpoint what is wrong with listening to this music if it does not contain sinful lyrics and does not stimulate sinful thinking.  There cannot be any sin associated with musical tunes.   So is it ok for Christians to listen to this type of music?

Thanks  

Answer
Hi, JJ!

This is a difficult question. I grew up in a church that taught that certain types of music were bad, and others were acceptable. They even taught that certain songs were bad regardless of whether or not the lyrics were worldly.

Upon further study of the Scriptures, I discovered that the Bible does NOT teach that certain types of music are good or bad. Instead, it indicates that music is an outward expression of what is in the heart. While it is not good or bad, it may REFLECT good or bad thoughts or attitudes of the heart. But that, in itself, may not make it sinful.

There's a type of music called The Blues. This style of music conveys a sad, despondent, depressive mood. March music conveys exuberance. Hip Hop "music" typically conveys anger and hatred. Big Band music conveys optimism and celebration. (This is interesting when you compare the development of Big Band music with its historical background.)

Like any type of art, music is a means by which one expresses his internal thoughts, emotions, feelings, attitudes, and state of being. This can be done through a painting on a canvas, the architectural design of a building, the interior decorating within a home, or one's wardrobe and accessories. Music, like these examples, is not right or wrong. It only communicates what's going on in the mind of the artist. And, by listening to it, the listener participates, to some degree or another, with the artist in his art.

Philippians 4:8 tells us that we should feed our minds with wholesome things, and that we should beware the danger of feeding our mind with improper thoughts. How can we apply this principle to music? Well, it would certainly govern the lyrics we choose to expose ourselves to. But the music? I guess it would depend on whether or not the music itself had a specific affect on our minds. At best, that is a subjective issue.

The best answer? When we are born again into God's family, He gives us His Holy Spirit to live within us (I Corinthians 6:19). We are commanded to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:25) and to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). This means that we are to be sensitive to the internal prompting of the Holy Spirit so that He can guide us in our daily living.

Do you sense the Holy Spirit's prompting in this area? Respond to that. Do whatever He is prompting you to do (or not do). In the end, this is what matters most. If you could prove conclusively that listening to a particular song is OK, but you felt guilty doing it, then it would be better not to listen to it. But, if the Bible doesn't condemn it, and you can listen to it without sensing that the Holy Spirit is prompting you to do otherwise, then enjoy the freedom to do so. (See Romans 14:5-8, which elaborates on this principle.)

I hope this helps.

Scott