Tag Archives: properworship

Music and the Bible Believing Christian

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“Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.” -2 Peter 1:3

Every aspect of your life must be consecrated to God. This includes music.  As a born again person God influences your life completely. The more you know Him, the more you will know what pleases Him! That’s why He is always the right place to start in any Bible study topic!

1. The Person of God.

“God is Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.”- Westminster Catechism

God’s self revelation is found in: Creation- Job 12:7-9, The Nature and Constitution of Man- Genesis 1;26-27, God’s Mighty Acts- Exodus 5:1-2, His people’s lives – Matthew 5:13-15,The Bible- Hebrews 1:1, Jesus Christ – Colossians 2:9.

Some attributes of His Goodness…

Holy (set apart) Psalm 99:1-3; Exodus 15:11, True – Jeremiah 10:10, Loving - Isaiah 63:9, Righteous - Psalm 145:17, Faithful – Psalm 36:5, Merciful – 2 Cor 1:3, Gracious - 2 Kings 13:23.

Question: Does What I do Matter to God?

…Is there anything I do that DOES NOT matter to God? Do I get to make any life choices without regard to the Person or Character of God?

Answer:

“Whether therefore you eat or drink do ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD.” -1 Corinthians 10:31

God’s glory is the sum total of His attributes. Goodness attributes like His faithfulness and righteousness, we are commanded to mirror in our life’s choices and  His Greatness attributes like His omnipotence or power that we cannot obtain.

“God’s glory translates to life. It affects ATTITUDES, ACTIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS” -Pastor Tim Potter

2. The Principle of Philippians 4.

Verse 8 says:

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Is the song I engage my mind in: true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent or worthy of praise?

3. God owns you.

Bible Axiom #1: In the choice of musical styles, you are not the judge and jury, God is. (1 cor 10:31, 1 Thes 5:21-22)

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?You are not your own, 20  for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” -1 Corinthians 6:19

4. God wants your body and your mind.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” -Romans 12 :1-2 

Could it be that what modern Christianity calls “freedom to worship however I want” is in fact slavery to the popular worldly styles just because is what the crowd likes? Don’t be conformed but be discerning!!

5. What is worship anyhow? Is worship just singing…is it just the music?

Worship is designed only for believers and not as a means of evangelism because unbelievers cannot understand the Biblical truths we sing about. Where is there in the Bible a place were the NT church invited people to “come worship with us”. Col 3 is very specific you must be saved to worship God through Jesus Christ.

Worship is also your money offering, it is also giving of thanks, obedience, and even  delighting in Christ is worship. (Romans 12:1-2) Worship is the full time activity of every born again person!

6. How about the words?

Can repetitive phrases bring comfort to the soul? Sometimes writers write unbiblically and can give a wrong understanding to the listener!

Example,  a CCM song titled How He loves said, “Heaven meets Earth like a sloppy, wet kiss.” Where is that in the Bible? Although I don’t fully understand what the artist meant  with that sentence, it sounds weird.

Christ-centered worship focuses on doctrinal truth, not repetition. It is focused on Him — not you or me! Be aware of music that only speaks of “I…I…ME…ME.”

7. God is our song!

“The Lord is my strength and my song;
He has become my salvation.” -Psalm 118:14

MORE BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES REGARDING MUSIC:

1. Use Spiritual Songs (Eph 5:19, Col 3:16)

Appeals first and mainly to the Spirit or to the flesh?

2. Live pure and holy lives. (Romans 12:1-2, 1 Cor 6:18, Eph 5:3, 1 Thes 4:1-7)

Associated with purity or fornication? Does it control my body?

3. Don’t love the things of the world: lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh and the pride of life.  (1 John 2:15-17 )

Does it promote any of these “things of the world”?

4. Honor your father and mother. Respect those over you in the Lord. (Exo 20:12, Eph 6:2,  1 Thes 5:12)

Respectful to parents and grandparents or the music of rebels?

5. Flee from idolatry. (Exodus 20:4-5)

Used to serve today’s idols or clearly separated?

6. Have a meek and quiet spirit, and live peacefully. (1 Tim 2:2, 1 Peter 3:4, Gal 5:22)

Is it loud, party music?

8. Don’t cause a brother to stumble and fall. (Romans 14:13)

First think, who would it harm or disturb if I used it?

P.S. I must confess, I used to listen to CCM a long time ago, but the Lord changed my heart strongly about it. The problem with Christian Rock and Roll is that it is Rock and Roll, which is associated with partying,  and all kinds of immorality I certainly don’t want to even think about! God calls us to be set apart. See a related Live Sharp post about how the believers song is NEW and DISTINCT from that of the world’s: http://livesharp.org/2012/02/08/proper-worship/.

I understand this topic is controversial and cannot be fully explained in only one post, therefore I provide here 2 wiser sources below if you still have questions:

TO SEE THIS INFORMATION IN A QUICKER WAY, THROUGH PREZI, GO HERE: http://prezi.com/fm3it9lvu7y9/music-and-the-bible-believing-christian/

Sources:

  • First Baptist Church of Troy
  • Dan Lucarini’s book, “It’s Not About the Music.”