music? a sin?

[nebula]

I see this as the "in the world, not of the world" principle.

We can't 100% shield ourselves from the things of this world. Try going for 1 week without even hearing a secular song. Good luck if you have to go the the shopping mall!

Likewise, if removing yourself from all ungodly influences is a priority with you, fine - but if you knew the reality of the Christian music industry, you might be inclined to throw away a good portion of your Christian CD's as well.

Hey - when was the last time you felt the Lord's conviction from a Christian song? I have to pull out my Harvest, Keith Green, and Steve Camp tapes/CD's to find a Christian artist who attempts to spur me on to love and good deeds (Heb. 10:24). "Lost the Plot" by the Newsboys was one of the last songs I heard produced that led me to seriously self-examine my heart, and that was over a decade ago. Sad.

And what's with creating entertainment out of worship music?

But there are those to whom the Lord is calling to a higher level of holiness (the actual meaning of the word holiness is "set apart") in this area. Such the Holy Spirit will lead out of secular music and TV and movies. But He doesn't require this of everyone the same. Although it won't hurt you to give up any sight or sound that is ungodly (as much as is possible), and it will actually be better for you, but this conviction is not manifested in all I have observed.

Let all be convinced in their own mind, and let the Holy Spirit lead.

Ask the Lord what He would have you do in this matter. If He tells you to let go of secular music, then let go of it. If not, then just guard your heart through it.

That's my 2 cents.

[Sir Gareth]

I am not saying we can fully and totally avoid all secular music, movies, tv etc, I am simply saying we should try to avoid running to them.

there is a difference between me seeing a billboard of a nearly naked woman walking down the street and downloading a picture of a nearly naked woman on mky computer.

[Botz]

We are not to be guided by impressions but by what we know is morally right,

Our best "morality" is a stench in the nostrils of God. It's a pale substitute for righteousness in the Holy Spirit.

This is the same debate that came up in Acts 15. "Shall we impose our (jewish) morality on the gentiles?"

The Apostles and the Holy Spirit wisely decided that it could not be imposed. They never said that they themselves would stop observing the Law of Moses but that these gentiles wouldn't be able to handle the laws of Israel while living in the lands of Rome. Their decision was that the Holy Spirit would convict each person at his/her own pace about righteousness "for Moses is read every Sabbath in the synagogue"

In the same way, Gregory will never learn to walk on his own two feet if people start imposing morality on him. Did someone impose his salvation on him? Can we not trust that the Holy Spirit will finish what He started? Do you not see that Gregory is asking the question because the Holy Spirit is already convicting him about what he feeds his mind? We should help him learn to listen to the Holy Spirit instead of being the Holy Spirit for him.

If it's Gregory's decision, he will ultimately stand even if he falls a dozen times. If it's someone else "morality" being imposed on him, he will find himself quite confused about how to meet some human expectation of "morality" and eventually give up...or be bound by religion.

Yuck. Did I mention that I hate religion? Morality = religion

Nicely put, and you too Nebula.

[nebula]

I am not saying we can fully and totally avoid all secular music, movies, tv etc, I am simply saying we should try to avoid running to them.

there is a difference between me seeing a billboard of a nearly naked woman walking down the street and downloading a picture of a nearly naked woman on mky computer.

We're talking about music, not pornography (unless we are including music videos in the discussion )

Keep in mind, as I posted earlier, I personally don't listen to secular music - I hate most of it. It is "dead" to my spirit, and I don't like that "feeling."

But I have had to learn to ease up on other Christians who do not feel the same as I do and do not have this same conviction I have. It's been hard, believe me! But I have to let them go.

The worst part is that it makes me feel isolated, for giving up for the Lord things most Christians still have and partake of is a lonely walk. I would love for my Christian friends and family to have the same conviction in this area, but they don't. And I feel sad about it. But I have to let them walk their own walk with the Lord and not mine.

[irishcowboy]

I was wondering if it is wrong to listen to secular music while still being devoted to God i mean like not cussing rap and crappy stuff like that i mean the clean secular bands please get massive comments on this one i want to clarify this now

take a look at the Song of Solomon, love songs... in some cultures, they are not permissible to be read until a person is close to 30....

God gave us music....

if we are lifting up our spouse, is that wrong?

mike

[Botz]

Here is a link with some exuberant secular music by Ricky Skaggs....health warning, you may actually enjoy it

*edit links* however if you are of a seriously biblical disposition, better not watch. [You just have to put in a search in on google for Ricky Skaggs playing with the Chieftan's, and then you can access it ]

[Trusting Jesus]

Oops, Botz....you can't link to youtube! If you could I would have linked to it in my post about Apologetix.

<>< ><>

Nathele

[irishcowboy]

Here is a link with some exuberant secular music by Ricky Scaggs....health warning, you may actually enjoy it

*edit links* however if you are of a seriously biblical disposition, better not watch.

dont worry, I got hit on that one too..... lol

mike

[Botz]

Aw...I didn't realise it was just any You-Tube links....apologies for the mistake, but not the music.

If you like guitar...go and look up Tommy Emmanuel...his secular guitar boogie sure lifts my spirits...but then I am only advising this if you have a wee bit of time left over from saving souls, praying, worshiping, studying the Bible and being an all round righteous good egg.

[Guest HIS girl]

Aw...I didn't realise it was just any You-Tube links....apologies for the mistake, but not the music.

If you like guitar...go and look up Tommy Emmanuel...his secular guitar boogie sure lifts my spirits...but then I am only advising this if you have a wee bit of time left over from saving souls, praying, worshiping, studying the Bible and being an all round righteous good egg.

Hey he's Aussie! There's 2 Emmanuel brothers(both play guitar) and I'm pretty sure Emmanuel is the Christian brother. He IS good!!