I think every song should be judged through the lens of Christ. If it edifies and uplifts, or does it promote sin. What I do is use my "holy ghost filter". If I start to get a feeling that I shouldn't be listening to something I cut it off.
In the case of groups like Bone Thugs and 3six Mafia, it is obvious that those groups are promoting the devil and not Christ.
Others may seem to be promoting Christ, but not in his entirety. That is also dangerous.
Some people can listen to the music and not be affected. For others it encourages sinful desires.
Sometimes the area is gray. For example, a married person may be able to listen to love songs if they encourage or promote desire for their mate. I certianly don't think that gospel music would be the sountrack during wedding night, because the act is fleshly, though approved by God.
I used to listen to hiphop all the time. Now I limit my consumption. The music doesn't lead me to sin anymore, but too much of it is like empty calories. It doens't fill my spirit. I listen to it so I can understand what the young people are listening to, but that's about it.
I don't think that the church should shun those who are promoting holy hip hop--- they need guidance in their ministry to be effective. I tend to believe it is not always the song, but the spirit in the person who made it that makes the difference. I heard a "gospel" song recently that was so full of self worhship it sent chills down my spine. The spirit was all wrong.
I disagree 110% with any genre of music being Demonic. I just don't get how music which is something that came from God (not speaking of a particular genre just in general) is demonic. Now, what is demonic or in my opinion goes against my beliefs (cause to me demonic is STRONG) are the messages that disrespect women, glamourize negative lifestyles, etc. but the whole genre? No can't say that at all. It's all in what the message is that goes along with the beats. To me to classify a whole genre of anything as denomic is a S-T-R-E-T-C-H to say the least. There are Christian hip-hop groups and to say they are demonic while their songs are filled with the word is INSANE!!!!
It's all about what is instilled in people and your foundation which should be GOD. What's the difference between when Dottie Peoples proclaims "He's an On Time God" and a christian rapper says the exact same thing. I listen to good music PERIOD no matter the genre. But because of my beliefs I don't listen to disrespectful, immoral, crazy music that pushes a negative message. Other than that, I don't see the problem.'
They said the same thing about Thomas Dorsey's music when music was more "traditional" in the church. And this too shall pass....
Bumpin'
This is a great thread. I'm struggling with this at the very moment. I love my Maxwell, my India Irie, my Jill Scott and so on and so on. Reading this thread has opened my eyes to a lot of things. I know that if I am to serve the Lord wholeheartedly, indulging in such listenings will have to cease.
Bumpin'
This is a great thread. I'm struggling with this at the very moment. I love my Maxwell, my India Irie, my Jill Scott and so on and so on. Reading this thread has opened my eyes to a lot of things. I know that if I am to serve the Lord wholeheartedly, indulging in such listenings will have to cease.
I feel bad for you, and I am concerned with your message because it says several things... Are you so weak that you can't listen to India Arie telling people "I am not my hair" or Maxwell talkin about loving a woman? These are all parts of living, and I know God doesn't want you to be a robot, to lack feeling. Now if hearing "I am not my hair" causes you to "stumble" then I will pray for you, cuz that really just sucks, I couldn't live like that. And sorry if I sound a bit harsh, I am typing fast... I believe that music is a God-given therapy, and in my hardest times, listening to these such artists has made me feel better, and that doesnt mean I wasnt listening to gospel at the time either...
Sounds like I feel...I strongly feel that Hip-Hop music is demonic, and it didn't take G.Craige to show me that.
It's just so nasty, vile, filthy, and disgusting, there is nothing apealling about it at all.
My distaste for it goes way back:
Back in 1993, I remember KRS-1 came and performed in my town.
A friend of the guy that I was dating knew KRS1 personally and so he went backstage.
He came back that night, telling us that Kris was explaining to him that the Black man is god, and was giving his list of reasons based on what Kris taught him that night.
My then boyfriend debated him for hours then we finally left it alone.
That was my first taste of the 5% nation, I just didn't know it then.
So yeah, KRS1 is a true 5%er( OT:did y'all know that his son committed suicide about 2 weeks ago?)
Back in 1998, right before I stopped listening to secular music,
I was listening to the radio and something EXTREMLYsexuall came on, unedited.
So I called the local radio station that was playing the song with the sexually explicit lyrics (it was little Kim, I believe)
I spoke with the radio station manager(a white man) about why would he be playing that.
He said that it's what his listeners want.
So I said,"Who is your target audience?"
He said, "18-24 year olds"
I asked him to be more specific.
So he finally said, "18-24 year old African-Americans."
I asked him, "What about the kids who tune in, should they be exposed to that? What about your kids? Do you have your station playing for your kids to listen to at the breakfast table?"
He actually insulted my intelligence and said, "Yes"
I just thanked him for his time and hung up, and have never listened to that station since.
I had a good mind to start a petition to ban this station, but did not follow through with it.
To this day, I denounce it every chance I get.
I despise Hip-Hop and everything associated with it.
I see it as a plot of the enemy to keep souls away from Christ, away from God, a distraction that leads to him.
I've written papers in college about the negetive effects of this music.
I look at our black children, our black women, our black men, society as a whole, and I can see the toll that this culture has taken on us.
I DO want to start an anti-hip hop movement.
I break and burn Hip Hop CD's if I find them in the hands of any youth in my family, they all know this about me.
I want a national ban, by the people, not by the government, sorta like what's happening now with the N word.
As a Christian, I cannot stomach Hip-Hop.
I can't support what it stands for: profanity, vulgarity, drugs, sexually immorality, degredation,etc.
My spirit just won't tolerate it!
I have three children, ages 19, 14, 10 and they know why we do not listen to Hip-Hop nor participate in it's culture.
For example:
My children do not have peircings and tatoos and
I do not clothe my children in "urban wear"
(Baby Phat, Phat Farm, Roca Wear, Applebottom,etc).
I want nothing of that culture reflected in our life and/or lifestyle.
dk
I also do not allow BET, MTV, VH1 in my home, so videos are a no-go as well.
Sometimes it’s not just the lyrics. A snake can make its way through the tiniest of cracks and so can the devil. Sometimes it’s not just the lyrics in music. The devil can come in through the beat or through the demeanor of the artist.
Karen Carpenter sang a lot of songs about love and her voice was so beautiful and clear….almost flawless and yet even in singing about love there is a sadness that comes across in her voice. I was listening to one of her songs not too long ago and I noticed that I became a little depressed. The sadness was getting to me.
Do you remember the song by Prince “The Most Beautiful Girl In the World”? Beautiful song, beautiful lyrics, but his appearance in the video is frightening. The red outfit, heavy eyeliner, weird hair (and this is coming from a big admirer of Prince and his talents).
Our local gospel radio station just started airing a program in the evenings (not sure if it’s syndicated or not). It comes on at a time when I am getting my toddler ready for bed. Before this program came on getting my daughter ready for bed was peaceful. Her room felt peaceful, she and I enjoyed the music coming from the radio, she went to sleep with no problems….there were no issues around bedtime. Since this program started airing bedtime is not as peaceful as it once was.
The first week that the program was on she would be rowdy, uncooperative and everything was a struggle. It went beyond typical toddler behavior. I know my child and these actions were out of the norm for her. I know the difference between her regular temper tantrums and something else being wrong. This was different. The first few nights I let it go and just dealt with it. Then I realized that it was the music that was coming from the radio. The loud talking, the “gospel” music with a hip hop beat. It was throwing her off and making her rowdy.
I feel bad for you, and I am concerned with your message because it says several things... Are you so weak that you can't listen to India Arie telling people "I am not my hair" or Maxwell talkin about loving a woman? These are all parts of living, and I know God doesn't want you to be a robot, to lack feeling. Now if hearing "I am not my hair" causes you to "stumble" then I will pray for you, cuz that really just sucks, I couldn't live like that. And sorry if I sound a bit harsh, I am typing fast... I believe that music is a God-given therapy, and in my hardest times, listening to these such artists has made me feel better, and that doesnt mean I wasnt listening to gospel at the time either...
Sweetie don't feel bad for me or concerned. If anything, pray for me. I'm sure that you have read through this thread and have seen many others thoughts on this particular subject. And by reading this thread you should know that I'm not the only one who is feeling or has felt this way. We both know that India's "I am not my hair" is not her only song. She has many.
And yes, Maxwell does sing about loving a woman, but why in the world would who is trying to live wholehearted for the Lord, a woman who has chosen to abstain from sex until marriage listen to Maxwell sing about 'Til the Cops come knocking' and not feel the least bit guilty? Yes at the moment my flesh is weak because at times I do get the 'urge'. Listening to Maxwell will not help that at all. I'm sure you've heard Jill Scott's 'Crown Royal and Ice'
Nuff said.
Not listening to secular music will not stop me from living but much of the music does not glorify the Lord or anything else for that matter. Much of the music is plain ol' ridiculous.To be honest, those three artist that I pointed out plus maybe two are three more are really the only secular music I listen to on a regular basis. I'm not perfect nor will I ever be. And I would be lying to sit here and say that I will NEVER listen to another R&B song again. I ask you to please not call anyone else weak because you feel as if you are that strong of a Christian that you cannot be broken.
God bless you.
Girl I feel you on this! I heard Crown Royal and the whole beat, lyrics just make you want to have sex. I was driving with one of my friend's one day and heard a song and the guy keeps saying something about having sex on his birthday. I go into the bookstore and they are playing the same song and then at the gym also. All he says is "Birthday sex" and "I want to go to your hooooo-useeee." They chop the words up but you can imagine some young person hearing this over and over again sex, sex, sex makes them want to have sex.