Does God Have a Problem with Secular Music?
Seeking Righteousness in the Music we Consume
BY ADESUWA CARLTON
One day in high school, I was sitting on my bed taking a break from schoolwork and scrolling through YouTube videos where Christian YouTubers were discussing how they came to follow Christ and some of God’s inclinations on how they needed to repent. In talking about their conversions, these YouTubers would often talk about what they stopped doing after they became Christians. Some never listened to “secular” music again, opting for gospel music with no cursing instead. But, what makes music secular in the first place? Doesn’t all art and beauty come from God? I researched the Hebrew definition of secular, and I found the term hilioni, which is the least religious set of people in the Jewish tradition. After my brief foray into Hebrew scholarship, I realized I had neglected one of the easiest people to ask this question — me!
Growing up, I always looked at the term secular as a word that meant listening to any type of music that doesn’t praise God. My parents weren’t strict when we listened to music, but around my childhood church, I noticed a separation between worship music and pretty much all other forms of music.
But, not every Gospel song has the word “God” or “Jesus” in it, and there are many songs that are considered secular but still have positive messages. I never felt bad about myself when I listened to “It Gets Better (With Time)” by The Internet, or that I was banished from God’s presence when I listened to “Slippin” by DMX (check both of these songs out — they’re so good!).
This epiphany hit home as I read Mark 7:15 — “It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart” [1]. When Jesus made this statement, he wasn’t referring to music but to food, but the sentiment still applies.
We often use music as “the soundtrack to our lives” and as a way to get in touch with our emotions. We idolize musicians not just for their lyrics or production but also for their fashion, connections to other famous musicians, and even their romantic relationships.
In a way, we look at music as our food, a supplement that we need to eat everyday. But just like food, music also has its limits. If we fed ourselves with bad junk food all the time, then we would feel like junk all the time. Just replace the junk with music, and you will have the same result.
I’m not implying that no one should listen to secular music. I understand as a rap fan that although some of the lyrics are not clean, the songs still sound amazing. I still listen to rap music, and I still enjoy it. But, I believe that being careful with some of the things that we listen to can cause a positive shift in our emotions.
After watching those YouTube videos when I was younger, I felt bad that I still listened to secular music — like I wasn’t good enough because I didn’t listen to Elevation Church all of the time. I was hurt because I was, and still am, learning and growing in getting to know God.
When you’re a Christian, sometimes you try to find anything that’s related to God so that you can have more of His presence in your life. But, some things that are marketed as godly don't represent God. The controversy surrounding secular music is a great example of that. It has taught me the art of discerning not just what I perceive as right or wrong, but what God deems as righteous.
SOURCES
Mark 7:15 NLT