It’s Time To Redeem Music
How Music Impacts Us
We cannot ignore the power of music. This thing affects us more ways than one.
I’m sure you have a favorite song, or at least a song that triggers a significant memory for you (whether sad or happy). And even if you’re not the kind who loves music, there’s surely a song or two that you will be able to sing straight from memory.
In my opinion, this mysteriously wonderful design has 2 main super powers.
Power 1: Memory
Music aids in memory. This is psychologically proven, and even just by experience, I am sure you agree. It is easy to remember the words to a song you hear over and over again.
The Jews used music to memorize the Scriptures. If you also look back on Sunday school, I’m sure you remember a couple songs you sang from then!
Power 2: Emotions
Secondly, music impacts us emotionally.
Music can uplift your mood, or accompany you on a sad day.
It can join the hearts of a stadium full of people, and even encourage a band of soldiers who are on the verge of giving up.
Think about it: a sermon could take about 15 minutes before piercing the heart of a congregation. But it could take just 15 seconds for a song to do that.
Music has the power to touch us emotionally.
The Problem with Secular Music
Now given these two super powers, you can imagine how there would be a problem if placed in the wrong hands.
By articulating these, however, I do not mean to generalize that all secular music is problematic. I am merely pointing out the potential threats to listeners if we are not aware of these.
Problem 1: Spreading Worldly Mindsets
Because music is so memorable, it’s possible for lyrics carrying a worldly mindset to be ingrained in the minds of listeners, especially the youth.
We need to be aware of worldly themes that the enemy is spreading through secular music. Themes such as drugs, infidelity, self-sufficiency, extramarital sex, glorification of the body, love of money, etc. You get the picture.
The idea is that songs, especially those that are most popular, have the power to shape the minds and language of a generation.
Problem 2: Appealing to Fleshly Desires
Since music impacts us emotionally, it is very common for music to also appeal to the fleshly desires of people.
Not only does it have the potential to spread worldly ideas, but it can drill that into people’s hearts emotionally. This is especially a problem when the film and TV industry pairs worldly scenes with certain songs or even genres of music.
How Christians Can Help Redeem Music
As a Christian creative, I truly believe that God has given us the gift of music to bring us closer to Him, and advance the Kingdom, not take us further away.
Music was created by God, and it was meant, as with all the rest of creation, for His glory.
Here are some suggestions on how to do that.
Method 1: Promote Scripture Memory
Since music is so easily memorable, then what better way to use it for God’s Kingdom, than to share His word!
I highly recommend drenching music with Scripture, and godly messages.
Now this doesn’t necessarily have to look like hymns, or the usual “Christian-ese” language that we might hear in today’s worship music. We can certainly be very creative with this.
Just remember that as songwriters, we are not just writing another song. But we are potentially writing the language of the next generation of worshippers.
The best thing we can do is to share the wonderful characteristics of God, and the truth of the gospel.
As an artist who tends towards R&B, I enjoy the limitless potential in that genre, as it allows me to take words straight from Scripture, and put them together in a rhythmic way. Doing this often helps me memorize passages.
Method 2: Encourage the Body
Since music has the power of impacting emotionally, then let’s use this to encourage the body!
You can show others that they are not alone in what they are going through.
You can help renew minds by pointing them to the hope we have in Christ.
Use your favorite genre! Genre, in my opinion, is a cultural influence. And the more that we can diversify, in order to reach all cultures and peoples with His word through creative music, the better!
Let’s work with God in advancing the Kingdom. It’s time to redeem His music.
Support Darla Baltazar on Patreon.
We are vessels made to be occupied by one thing only. We can deny self and choose Christ, or deny Christ and choose self. It will always be one or the other.