Christian Entertainment and Music

Topic

Christian Life

Introduction:
1. So many of our songs, movies and other types of entertainment can be described accurately only as evil.
God's Word Speaks To The Question Of Music.
1. Ephesians 5:18,19 "...singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."
2. Psalms 40:3 "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise to our God..."
3. Colossians 3:16,17 "...singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord"
Godly Music Effects Our Spirit.
1. 1 Samuel 16:23
Evil Music Notoriously Accompanies Sinful Practices.
1. Exodus 32:17-19
Some Tests Of Right Music:
1. Test the Spirit (teachings) of the music.
  1. 1 John 4:1-3 Test the teachings
  2. 1 Timothy 6:3-5 Those who teach unwholesome words
  3. Comparisons of Good and Evil Music:
    1. Good Music:
      1. Speaks truth about life.
      2. Glorifies God and righteous living.
      3. Decries evil and unrighteous living.
    2. Evil Music:
      1. Speaks Lies about life.
      2. Glorifies rebellion and evil living.
      3. Mocks God and righteousness.
2. Test the Fruit (Results) of the music.
  1. Matthew 7:16-20 "By their fruit ye shall know them."
  2. James 3:9-13 Search for consistency in the character of those involved.
  3. 1 Samuel 16:23 Do you see the distressing attitude in these people?
  4. Where to look for it's fruit:
    1. In the words & actions of the performers.
    2. In the words & actions of the DJs
    3. In the words & actions of the listeners.
    4. In the setting it is usually associated with.
    5. In the types of advertisements they carry. (This shows what type of people are associated with this type of music. For instance, do they regularly advertise drinking clubs and wet T-shirt contests?)
  5. What fruit to look for:
    1. Sensuality (lust, sex)
    2. Pride
    3. Rebellion
    4. Greed
    5. Bitterness
    6. Deceit
    7. Vulgarity (esp. in humor)
    8. Any unrighteous style of living
Other Scriptural Considerations:
1. Pleasure in the evil of others (which can be exhibited in a love of sinful music) is sinful.
  1. Romans 1:28-32 (N.B. 32)
2. Fascination with stories of evil (which can be exhibited in a love of sinful music) is sinful.
  1. Ephesians 5:8-12
  2. Romans 16:19
3. We are to separate ourselves from all which is not Godly in it's source and fruit.
  1. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
4. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
  1. Romans 12:1,2
Self-examination In Light Of These Biblical Principles.
1. Do you enjoy music, TV shows, Movies, etc. that mock and scorn the Christian principles that you claim to hold dear?
2. Do you justify unrighteous music with the excuse "I never listen to the words?" What does 1 John 4:1-3 say about that?
3. Do the DJs on the radio stations you listen to take pleasure in vulgar jokes, & songs, or spending time discussing sex in a less than biblical perspective? (i.e. do they enjoy discussing lust, adultery, & fornication)
4. What do you know about the lives of those who perform and listen to the music as a group of people? Are they generally rebellious? Lustful? Hateful? Covetously motivated? Do you wish to be associated with that type of person? Does Christ want you to be considered as that type of person by those who don't know you well?
5. Do you ever lift up your voice in songs of praise and worship to God and Jesus? Privately? With other christians (outside of church?) Do you sing during the worship assembly?
6. Do you condemn the "Heavy Metal" music of others while enjoying George Strait singing about the pleasures of adultery and drunkenness? (Romans 2:1-3)
7. This is a question that no-one can decide for others (except parents for children.)
What To Do If You Like Music Which Fails The Tests Of God's Purity?
1. Repent of listening to it. (Acts 8)
2. Get rid of all of your tapes, records, videos, etc. of that type of music.
3. Ask God's forgiveness (1 John 1:9)
4. Learn to hate evil (including music which doesn't agree with God's purposes and principles for your life.)

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: