The Problem with Contemporary Christian Music…

Due to the fervent and deep seated opinions surrounding this issue I must lead off this discussion with “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Proverbs 18:13

Many feel that it is the words alone that “Christianizes” a song.

Most tend to believe in one way or another that the music underlying a “Christian” song is a matter of preference (keep this point in mind as I will elaborate more on this) and that the music is essentially amoral.

They believe that the music is neither right nor wrong but purely just a matter of taste.

Many call music with “Christian” words “worship” when it is accompanied with worldly music driven by sensual rhythms and backbeats but God calls it selfish and carnal. I say this based on what I said above, that people choose the music they want to listen to or “worship” with based on their own personal preference.

They get more out of the music for themselves than God does.

In fact God rejects this approach to worship as it is not all for Him...

I had many excuses (rescuing devices) in the past that I used to justify the music I listened to but recently I woke up and realized that I was doing this more for me than I was for God.

Paul said in in his first letter to the Thessalonians that we need to “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” and to “Abstain from all appearance of evil”. He also said in his letter to the Romans “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Why do we conform so much to the world in the area of music? Why do we not prove everything including the music? Proving something whether it be evil or good as per God’s standard does not include our own opinions on the matter.

Malachi saw this same issue in his time. People were trying to offer polluted sacrifices to God while calling the tainted sacrifices good. We do the same thing when we take something meant for the satisfying of the flesh and try to pass it off as a sacrifice to God. If our music truly is meant for worshiping God should it not be something that pleases Him?

A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name?

Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible.

And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.

And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts.

Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.

For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible.

Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD.

But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen. Malachi 1:6-14

I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.

Though ye offer me burnt offerings and your meat offerings, I will not accept them: neither will I regard the peace offerings of your fat beasts.

Take thou away from me the noise of thy songs; for I will not hear the melody of thy viols.

But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. Amos 5:21-24

It is important that we examine what we listen to and what we call worship.

It does matter a lot to God.

We need to have a genuine fear of the Lord and stop perseverating on the feeding of our flesh when it comes to this very essential issue.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Without reinventing the wheel too much here, this article is well written and provides more details around this:

Why We Are Opposed to Contemporary Christian Music:

https://www.wayoflife.org/database/opposedtoccm.html

#CCM #music #Christians #words