Post by pitbull on Dec 15, 2005 12:50:54 GMT -5
I know Thane may wish to come and post an argument rather than discuss this, but here are my three things that I use:
1. I ask myself what does the Bible say. I look at the verses that teach the various standards and guidelines directly regarding music. I have posted these elsewhere. I generally use the Bible as the final authority on all matters of faith and practice, especially music. If you have specific questions about some of those guidelines, feel free to ask. All I ask is that you don't assume like some have previously when reading items or articles I have posted.
2. Is the music for the purpose of entertainment or for edification/worship? If it falls into the first category, I avoid it at all costs. I took my daughter about five years ago to an ecumenical Christmas "concert" that was being directed by someone we personally knew. When we left, I asked her if she felt the music in her body or did she feel in her spirit/soul. Without any prompting, she said she felt it in her body and it made her want to dance. She asked me then why we came and listened to it. I used this as a learning tool so she would know the difference first hand. Now she knows how to protect herself and can help others.
3. I look at the "fruit" of the music. What has been the results of it. When I used to listen to CCM [various artists and various styles], it drove me further away from God. Over the past 13 years as a preacher, I have seen the same thing in the lives of every single believer who listens to CCM. If they were soul winners, shortly they are not. If they practiced Biblical separation, shortly they were ecumenical. If they had standards in their lives, shortly they lived like the world. To date, I have yet to see a believer whose spiritual walk was improved because of CCM's use of worldly styles of music. As a "fruit inspector", I must conclude that the "fruit" is either rotting or full of worms. Sorry if anyone reads that while eating.
1. I ask myself what does the Bible say. I look at the verses that teach the various standards and guidelines directly regarding music. I have posted these elsewhere. I generally use the Bible as the final authority on all matters of faith and practice, especially music. If you have specific questions about some of those guidelines, feel free to ask. All I ask is that you don't assume like some have previously when reading items or articles I have posted.
2. Is the music for the purpose of entertainment or for edification/worship? If it falls into the first category, I avoid it at all costs. I took my daughter about five years ago to an ecumenical Christmas "concert" that was being directed by someone we personally knew. When we left, I asked her if she felt the music in her body or did she feel in her spirit/soul. Without any prompting, she said she felt it in her body and it made her want to dance. She asked me then why we came and listened to it. I used this as a learning tool so she would know the difference first hand. Now she knows how to protect herself and can help others.
3. I look at the "fruit" of the music. What has been the results of it. When I used to listen to CCM [various artists and various styles], it drove me further away from God. Over the past 13 years as a preacher, I have seen the same thing in the lives of every single believer who listens to CCM. If they were soul winners, shortly they are not. If they practiced Biblical separation, shortly they were ecumenical. If they had standards in their lives, shortly they lived like the world. To date, I have yet to see a believer whose spiritual walk was improved because of CCM's use of worldly styles of music. As a "fruit inspector", I must conclude that the "fruit" is either rotting or full of worms. Sorry if anyone reads that while eating.