My dad used to be a DJ, so I grew up cultured, during the 90s listening to Puff Daddy (now P Diddy) to Jagged edge. I still remember the records he used to have lying around the house. Everyone used to think dad was sooo cool 😎, I recall the days when friends from school would come round mine and put on his headphones and pretend to be spinning records- oh how times have changed!
Music has been a big comfort of mine and I still love it. That’s how we as people have found ways to connect. We’ve bonded over our taste in music, it sets the tone at a gathering or party, music is art.
Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate worship music however I also listen to mainstream music. I know there’s this whole Christian vs Secular divide but I’ve chosen not to pick a side because:
I’m not following a set of rules
I enjoy both types of music I’ve just gone with how I’ve been led and at moments how I’ve felt.
Do I think that Christians should only listen to gospel/worship music? If I’m honest, yes I do. Do I do it? No. Is that contradictory? Perhaps. Is God still working on me? All the time.
I believe that music was created not just to make us feel good though but as an instrument to glorify God.
This morning, whilst tidying up my bedroom, I let the music play on YouTube, as I listened- I noticed how the tracks became increasingly perverse. From Beyoncé’s Bigger, to Chloe and Halle Do it to Chris Brown Go crazy and then Drake’s life’s good. It was midway through the last track that I had to stop because I knew I can’t keep listening to this with a clear conscience, now that I know better and I’m living for Christ. I never want to be a person that lives a double life, I’m an open book, what you see is what you get here. I refuse to live in pretence and lie to myself and others. I’m not holier than anyone but I am just putting my hope in God, which is all I can do.
I get annoyed when I see Christian forums having debates about music though because it just becomes a war about who’s more holy and who’s right and wrong. I think each person should judge for themselves. Honestly, I believe when the bible says all things are permissible but not everything is beneficial. You can listen to whatever music you like, however certain music choices do not benefit us as believers. They can even poison our minds and exaggerate our feelings.
I say this all to say that our music choices matter, May God help us to choose wisely in jesus’ name. Amen.
Ebony x
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