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'Christ in You...'
by Dale Krebbs
Music per se is one of those things capable of producing good and bad things in our lives.
David used it to calm the evil spirit in Saul. Humans heal faster when hearing music. My father told me once that I would never be happy unless I included music in my life. He has been proven to be correct. I am thankful that God has given me a love for music. It has enriched my life more than I can express. Many foods and drinks act within the body as stimulants, and some as depressants. Music is a stimulant, that can bring up from the heart emotions both good and bad.
There was an evil spirit working on Saul (1 Samuel 16:23). The only way to calm Saul and drive away that evil spirit was David's instrumental music. The instrument that he played was an ancient forerunner of what we call a guitar. Of course, we do not know for sure what he played or how he played. We are given only two pieces of information; the playing of an instrument, and the incredible effect of that playing. Music of all types fill the airwaves, television, even the Internet. And it fills most churches. David and all Israel played music in the "house of the Lord" with every type of musical instrument know at the time (2 Samuel 6:4-5).
The sounds of music of some kind, and it effects, fill the lives of almost every human on earth. This being true, music can either increase goodness, kindness, and peace; or, it can provoke the most evil of attitudes and actions imaginable. Music is much like many other things that can be used to promote truth and pleasure, or it can be used by Satan to stimulate reckless abandonment to every kind of evil.
One could say that some music can have an intoxicating affect. Music is to the mind through the hearing, like what we see through the eyes. They make an almost permanent emotional impression in our minds. If we hear and look at that which causes or stimulates evil, we are on dangerous ground.
Everything that enters our minds becomes permanent, although much we will never recall. But it is all there, beginning from the time we were born. Some medical sources say that it begins before we were born. If the Holy Spirit lives in us, Jesus sacrifice cleansed our minds not only of guilt, but of the negative effects of the sin that has entered our minds through the medium of our eyes and our ears. But if we insist on putting evil impressions through our ears back into our minds through the medium of music that Satan uses, this will hinder our spiritual growth, cloud our judgments, and warp the image of Christ being created in us by the Holy Spirit.
There is room in every Christian's life for many types of music. There are some types of music that should never be in a Christian's life. By types I mean music that is done in such a way as to stimulate wrong emotions, thoughts, or actions. It is left up to each one of us as to what we allow in the way of music, just as it is with all the choices we make.
It is important that we do not judge one another, while at the same time making a choice as to what we allow in the music part of our lives. There is a principle that Paul gives, although not about music, that can be applied regarding music (Romans 14:5). The good news is that heaven now is filled with singing and instruments of music (even some apparently similar to the modern guitar). It is filled with singing of every kind, praising God in worship and adoration. This is coming finally to planet earth in the Holy City, New Jerusalem (Revelation 21).
We are living in a world of unlimited choices. Many of which are created by Satan to keep the world blinded to truth and righteousness. Therefore, we must use discernment and wisdom, led by the Holy Spirit, in making those choices. The choice of what we listen to or participate in regarding music is one realm that God has provided to develop His wisdom and character. Life is, many ways, a bundle of choices. May we examine those choices before Him in prayer, that we may grow. No matter what type of songs or instruments you judge to be right in His sight, do it not just for your pleasure, but do it all to the glory of God.
In all of your musical activities, regardless of the mood, feelings, and emotions generated, find a way to relate those feelings and emotions to the Author who has given us the wonderful gift of music!
"Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [ and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord..." - Ephesians 5:19 (AMP)
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