Prelude:
I have been a follower of secular music and movies in the past,Backstreet Boys, JLo, Britney Spears, Shakira, Beyonce – you name it, I’ve listened too and sung along with so many songs. Of recent I’ve consciously taken myself away from it because of the course the industry and the world seems to be taking and it’s effects on the younger generation. I now follow Gospel artists like Don Moen, Chris Tomlin, Kris Stanfill, Casting Crowns, Hillsongs etc. I’m not too much into non-English music because I don’t understand some lines and then my mind wanders, English I really listen to the words and can meditate on them.
So here’s why I feel we as individuals, parents, friends should encourage gospel songs to be heard more.
1. There’s no season/mood required to hear songs about our heavenly Father. God never changes – our situation may change but it would never or should never change our love for Him. Secular music is situational – love songs are good when you’re single and crushing or engaged or newly married and all the lovey dovey feelings there, sad/angry songs about broken heart again only for that time and worse these songs keep us down and don’t do anything to make us feel better, the attitude songs are probably for when we’re angry/defensive etc. and again does nothing for you really.
2. It’s feel good to worship God – I mean really, knowing God’s love and hearing just makes you feel good. I listen to the songs and find myself feeling happy just because. Gospel music soothes your soul.
3. I’m being taught to be firm in faith and live according to Lord’s commandments, as opposed to some secular music which have subliminal message hidden using techniques like back-masking to brainwash the people in acting the way against our faith. And the secular videos which are sometimes plain vulgar try to make us feel that it’s ok to be so in real too. Let’s build our heart, mind and soul to follow the ways our heavenly father wants from us. It’s not always bad parenting that makes kids back answer, disrespect etc. elders – it’s the influence that these tv shows, music etc. has on their innocent brains.
4. If I’m just looking to hear good music of any genre, lo behold, these gospel artists are really talented and have different genres of music even (sigh) rock gospel music. So if you really wanna hear the loud/screaming voices let it be about how God is Almighty.
5. If I listen to it and encourage even the lil ones to hear it, they will pick up on it and take interest to learn it. More times than less, the interest of a child to learn something is based on how they’ve seen their parents react to it. Don’t want to clap hands or sing-along in church, don’t want to listen to Gospel songs at home, don’t want to go for the christian concerts but a Hollywood/Bollywood/Mollywood concert – chances are your kids will also feel the same. Now again, this is for small kids, once older and wiser?! they tend to form opinions of their own but still always remember the lessons they learnt as a kid. Take me, the one thing I remember in my childhood was my parents always taking us to prayers,church even during exams (while many stayed back home to study) and so I believe I’ll probably end up teaching my kids the same 🙂
6. Last reason, simply because it reminds me time and time again of the Lord’s love and sacrifice for me. It reminds me of the Father who loves me in a way only He can. It reminds me of who I can be if I just let Jesus take control of my life. It reminds of what I can do to honor God with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It reminds me that i am His.
Amen!!
I have been a follower of secular music and movies in the past,Backstreet Boys, JLo, Britney Spears, Shakira, Beyonce – you name it, I’ve listened too and sung along with so many songs. Of recent I’ve consciously taken myself away from it because of the course the industry and the world seems to be taking and it’s effects on the younger generation. I now follow Gospel artists like Don Moen, Chris Tomlin, Kris Stanfill, Casting Crowns, Hillsongs etc. I’m not too much into non-English music because I don’t understand some lines and then my mind wanders, English I really listen to the words and can meditate on them.
So here’s why I feel we as individuals, parents, friends should encourage gospel songs to be heard more.
1. There’s no season/mood required to hear songs about our heavenly Father. God never changes – our situation may change but it would never or should never change our love for Him. Secular music is situational – love songs are good when you’re single and crushing or engaged or newly married and all the lovey dovey feelings there, sad/angry songs about broken heart again only for that time and worse these songs keep us down and don’t do anything to make us feel better, the attitude songs are probably for when we’re angry/defensive etc. and again does nothing for you really.
2. It’s feel good to worship God – I mean really, knowing God’s love and hearing just makes you feel good. I listen to the songs and find myself feeling happy just because. Gospel music soothes your soul.
3. I’m being taught to be firm in faith and live according to Lord’s commandments, as opposed to some secular music which have subliminal message hidden using techniques like back-masking to brainwash the people in acting the way against our faith. And the secular videos which are sometimes plain vulgar try to make us feel that it’s ok to be so in real too. Let’s build our heart, mind and soul to follow the ways our heavenly father wants from us. It’s not always bad parenting that makes kids back answer, disrespect etc. elders – it’s the influence that these tv shows, music etc. has on their innocent brains.
4. If I’m just looking to hear good music of any genre, lo behold, these gospel artists are really talented and have different genres of music even (sigh) rock gospel music. So if you really wanna hear the loud/screaming voices let it be about how God is Almighty.
5. If I listen to it and encourage even the lil ones to hear it, they will pick up on it and take interest to learn it. More times than less, the interest of a child to learn something is based on how they’ve seen their parents react to it. Don’t want to clap hands or sing-along in church, don’t want to listen to Gospel songs at home, don’t want to go for the christian concerts but a Hollywood/Bollywood/Mollywood concert – chances are your kids will also feel the same. Now again, this is for small kids, once older and wiser?! they tend to form opinions of their own but still always remember the lessons they learnt as a kid. Take me, the one thing I remember in my childhood was my parents always taking us to prayers,church even during exams (while many stayed back home to study) and so I believe I’ll probably end up teaching my kids the same 🙂
6. Last reason, simply because it reminds me time and time again of the Lord’s love and sacrifice for me. It reminds me of the Father who loves me in a way only He can. It reminds me of who I can be if I just let Jesus take control of my life. It reminds of what I can do to honor God with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It reminds me that i am His.
Amen!!
Covered by 828 
Hi girl! I feel you on getting secular music out of my life. It's been a personal struggle for many years but with God's help, I have now lost interest in listening to all that garbage. Like you said, unwholesome music does absolutely nothing for me whereas I can choose music that blesses me and helps me to worship God.
@Favoured Girl – Yep it's something we all struggle with, worst part is we don't even realize how it affects us. I still struggle as the tunes find their way to playing in my head and then immediately have to pray and get it out.