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"Beyoncé" "Martha Munizzi"
“Are You Okay Blending It?”
Let me start by asking a few questions? Are you a Christian? Do you listen to gospel or Christian music? And do you listen to secular music also? Do you like music artists like Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Kanye West, Foo Fighters, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Drake, Niki Minaj, etc.? And how about Casting Crowns, Mary Mary, Da Truth, Lecrae, Chris Tomlin, Tye Tribette, David Crowder Band, Yolanda Adams, Martha Munizzi, Fred Hammond, William McDowell, Deidrick Haddon, Kiki Sheard, etc.?
Personally, I’ve listened to some of these mainstream artists as well…BUT over the years, and through the grace, power, and Word of God, I’ve learned that as God began to call me higher in Him, I realized that I could not MIX the two. I had to choose one. And trust me it was not an easy decision, because I liked pumping up the latest jams on the hottest radio stations while driving to work, the club, or Happy Hour. But then I also found myself mixing the worldly music with gospel music on Sunday mornings and Wednesday night drives to Bible Study. So with that being said, and after being taught the truth, I began to realize that something wasn’t quite right with that. I was living a double life. So I had to choose whom I would truly serve.
And with that being said, I did try to release the secular music (which means worldly rather than spiritual http://www.thefreedictionary.com/secular) by letting go of the secular radio stations & music. BUT I still watched the award shows (hint: the Grammy’s, BET, MTV, etc.). And I admit that I was a sucker for “Usher”. In fact, I found myself rewinding his stage performances over and over again (I actually taped it and replayed it about 20 times), until my 4 year old son said, “Mama, you’re still watching him?!” See…God has a way of getting our attention (even through our children). But that wasn’t enough. You see, I’m married, so me and my husband thought we could listen to Usher together…but that didn’t work either, because as I listened to the slow songs…it was about other women, fornication, lust, & adultery – stuff that I was clearly learning about in the Bible that was sin against God. So…long story short…I gave it all up. I surrendered, and I’ve been delivered now for approximately eight years. Praise the Lord!
Now many of you reading this might be thinking, “So is secular music a sin?” My answer to this question is this…there isn’t a specific Scripture that says, “Thou shalt not listen to secular music.” However, before you run off, let me ask you this? How does it make you feel when you listen to it or watch it? What does some of it make you want to do? Does it encourage you to want to sin by having sex with someone you’re not married to, masturbate, entertain homosexual or impure thoughts, want to commit adultery or watch porn, or physically hurt someone. Does it spark greed, envy, jealousy, drinking, or getting loaded perhaps? If you are a Christian/born again believer, the Bible says in Galations 5:16 & 19-21 (NLT), “So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves…When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outburst of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.”
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So, simply stated, it’s not per say the music alone, yet it’s the spirit behind the music and what it may cause you to do either now or later. You see, our great enemy Satan plants seeds, and he’s very subtle. And we can’t forget that he was over music in heaven before he was kicked out by God? Today, he’s just using his craft on Christians. Can you imagine him sitting back laughing while eating popcorn watching us entertain ourselves with the very things that Jesus died to save us from…our old sinful nature? Remember God wants us to live new lives full of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galations 5:22-23).
Listen…if you’re reading this today, it’s not by chance that you stumbled across this blog post. God has a message for you. I believe that God is calling you higher for such a time as this. He is calling you to be set-apart for His glory and purpose. And if you are going to go higher in Him, then I encourage you to let go of some of those weights that may slow you down (Hebrews 12:1), and I believe that you know what they are. Jesus Christ is coming back soon, and it’s time for the body of Christ to be purified, set-apart, unspotted, and effective in every way.
So take a quick moment to examine yourself to see if what you’re listening to or watching on television either glorifies or displeases God. Listen to the lyrics, because unfortunately, many Christians practice The Mix: both secular and Christian music? Weigh in…do you feel that it’s okay blending it? If you sense conviction: pray, acknowledge it, confess it to God, & repent in Jesus name. And if you’ve already overcome in this area, please forward it on to enlighten someone else.
Suggestion...there's a lot of good Christian music out there today. We don't have to compromise.
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon. Let’s get ready from the Inside Out.
~Courtnaye
Thanks for reading! Like, comment, or share from my Facebook Fan Page and “Like” it while you’re there ( http://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye). Also feel absolutely free to leave a comment here! I’d love to get your feedback! I pray that God will continue to enlighten you to live for Him through His word in your daily life. Stay tuned for new blog posts every Monday at 7:30am on Inside Out with Courtnaye @ www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org. Also, follow me on Twitter by inoutwcourtnaye. Thanks again![/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
I love this! And I thank God for allowing me to see this. Almost 2 years ago now after a major journey and processing by God I made the decision to let go of secular music, listening to it made me feel some kind of way, I was thinking about things I knew I shouldn’t have, wanting to do things I knew He didn’t want me to do, so I decided to listen to gospel music from hereon. Let me tell you, when God directs your steps He DIRECTS…it wasn’t easy, but now my spirit is free and refreshed and I feel better inside! This is literally a God orchestrated process, I had nothing to do with it and I’m so glad He chose to take that desire from me, I don’t despise it at all…
Amen Stacy! I am so glad that God has delivered us from this. It is truly liberating! And now we need to keep lifted everyone else whom God is trying to set free in this last hour. It’s getting late. And we need to be effective witnesses for others…clean vessels of honor that pleases God in every area of our lives. It’s a sacrifice…but it’s so worth it! God bless you sis. Thanks for post!
I like it, but years ago I found my self not liking the music that has come out now. So I don’t listen to anything, But I also found myself liking certain songs that would come out like ( Chris Brown: Looks @ me now ) and others. An the Lord started to convicted me for that. So as hard as it was I DELETED all of them, and as for the awards I been stop watching that. times have chaged nothing is the same. But keep posting things like this..God Blessed!!
Praise God sis! Thanks for sharing your story of deliverance. God is at work! Encourage others by the word of your testimony. Free women…free women. It’s contagious. Thanks again!
Awesome!!! For this very reason I left an R & B band I use to play for. But to answer one of the questions in the blog, it gives you impure thoughts & makes you want to do things. But it wasn’t by chance but God wanted me to see this. Thank you for this!!! I will definitely share!!!
Hey Ramona. That is amazing. What a strong stand for Christ to make the decision to leave the band. I’m sure that wasn’t easy. But only what we do for Christ will last. So good to hear this. Thanks for sharing it as well. God bless you!
Reblogged this on Inside Out with Courtnaye and commented:
Check out the revised copy of “The Mix: Secular & Christian Music”! Do you think it’s okay to blend it? I’d love your feedback.
I really liked this! I stopped listening to secular music about 5 years ago and as soon as I stopped, my relationship with God immediately started growing. It was like a detox, it was really hard at first, but then it felt better when I let it all go.
There’s nothing like the power of deliverance! There’s so much good music out there, that we really don’t have to compromise today. Once we let go of something that is not good for us, then we have to replace it with something better…otherwise the enemy will come back to tempt us again. Great choice…keep pressing until Christ returns!
I was looking up information about Zumba for my arsenal to fight the good fight and I came upon this site. I got what I needed but continued to read other entries and here I am.
Back in the day, secular music (commonly called devil’s music) was not even an issue. It was a big no-no. Back then, the songs were of a worldly theme and often sensual in nature but nothing like it is today. So, if an argument was to arise about what was so wrong about it, there wasn’t much of an example to make. People weren’t taught why but they knew it was off limits. Then came contemporary ‘Christian’ music that ushered worldly music into the church but with lyrics that had a Christian flavor. With the music now readily acceptable as harmless, people were deceived into believing that only the words made the difference. Then ‘Christians made songs that were pronoun neutral, using words like ‘you’ and ‘he’ instead of the name of Jesus or God or Lord. That opened the way to go a little further out and it became acceptable to listen to worldly music that had fairly decent lyrics. Then it went on & on, step by step until there is no fear or concern or divide. People are deceived into believing that it’s all one in the same. Then the flood gates were opened and in came dancing, mime, stepping, yoga, zumba and every thing the world has to offer is gladly accepted by the church. & Consequently, every problem the world has the church has: teenage pregnancy; juvenile delinquency; adultery; fornication; domestic violence; substance abuse; divorce; abortion; alcoholism; gambling & pornography use & addiction…you name it!
Anyway, the dear children of God are led by His Spirit according to His Word. We are blessed that we are not left to figure out things for ourselves. & Just like Eve, we can’t afford to go beyond God’s Word and determine whether we’re going to obey what He says based on if the forbidden fruit looks harmless, appealing and good for some purpose (justifiable).
God’s Word gives us enough to know what is unacceptable and offensive to Him. For instance, the airport rules do not say thou shalt not bring a stick of dynamite in your pocket. But the word ‘explosives’ adequately cover that & all other such items without naming them specifically. Even without that, common sense dictates to any reasonable person that it’s something that you just don’t do. There are many scriptures that forbid secular (worldly) music and amusements. And even if they didn’t exist, every child of God who has a willing and obedient heart has a sensitivity to His Spirit that alerts and even troubles you when you do or are about to do something that troubles Him.
May we continue to tune a listening ear to our heavenly Father’s loving voice. God bless!
Hi Pam,
Thanks again for writing and checking out my posts. This is such a touchy subject, but we have to stay alert. I pray that others will gain more insight on this as they read your comment as well. God bless you sis! Keep standing strong for Christ.
This is more of a question. My husband got saved before we were married but has never given up his secular music and eventually turned back to smoking weed etc. I had given up all of my secular music and loved my Christian music years before I had even met him. But now we were married and it was and is no longer up to me what kind of music is played in our home. He loves to blast this music nice and loud and if I walk away or refuse to enjoy it with him, he gets very upset and says I’m taking a holier than thou attitude or I’m being controlling or judgemental. I don’t want to push him away or never spend time with him so I tolerate it, but it really hurts my heart so rather than fighting or deserting him, I end up numbing myself by drinking. Music is so important to me but his music weakens me and we live in a 2 bedroom apartment. What should I do. I want to be respectful of him but I also need a safe place and a somewhat spiritually clean home in order to thrive in my walk with Jesus
Hi Trisha, I will respond by email…look out for it.
I’m trying to let go of secular music unfortunately I still try to see if there’s a way to listen to it and not be sinful. I hope I can overcome this.
I’m happy to find this website,I was searching to get a godly perspective from a woman of God And to find a word to help this person to understand,by not keeping your word is lying also to help them in the future keep your word.And before I leave here I like to post this comment.I totally agree on this topic today’s music.May kindly I add? Christian should be very mindful and should not lend our ears to the world,they will not extend theirs to us. As a professional musician and a church organist for over 25 years, I understand what we hear stimulates our minds and music do just that.not only does it stimulated but it set the mood good or bad. Music has the power of persuasions. When I was in my teens I was playing traditional church and it was the norm for my friends an parents pastors but the ones that did not go to church or the ones that went and wasn’t saved, always embarked on me to blend my music. I tried it and soon I had many followers that was the world saying that’s cool hip I like that.I seen others popping their fingers that would not clap their hands or pat their feet to anointed music. Then I realize what I was doing was conforming to the world,so I refuse to be a blender adding the world into God anointed music ministry.By blending the world into gods church sinners will never be convicted and turn from darkness,because they believe they are OK. God want his people’s to come from among them and be ye separate.And be holy why? Because he is holy. This a great blog I will be recommending the newly born again christians to you Courtnaye.God bless!
Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing your point of view on this through years of experience with music. And thanks for sharing my blog with others. Have a blessed one! ~Courtnaye
This is really insightful. God bless u Courtnaye
Thanks much for this website it really helped me.I am a born again christian but I started recording my secural songs on the way to lve it publically,though I was doing this there was still a fight of decisions in my heart like:is it right? Should I stop it? But my lycris are not envil or bring bad desires. Still in this fight I started searching what should I do nd I come in touch with this website it has helped me but if there is still points to teach or to help me about this plz do it I insist.