The Importance of Good Music

Today is day two of our twentieth week, reading the Bible through together in a year.  Our scriptures today are:  1 Chron 14-16; Acts 24.

Wow--what a full day it has been today!  Instead of posting an apology for not posting, I'll just keep it short and sweet by sharing with you a song that I loved when I was a teenager.  Petra was my favorite Christian band in the late 1980s (and boy, do they definitely sound like a 1980s band, now that I listen to them again today).  Their song "Kenaniah" is about the same Chenaniah that we meet in 1 Chronicles 15. 



David appointed Chenaniah as song leader for Israel, and entrusted him with the task of teaching the people the songs of Zion.  As the primary songwriter for Israel, David knew that music was an important tool for getting people's hearts and minds in the right mindset for worship.  The levitical law was all about proper ritual, but David knew that the people needed more than ritual in order to be ushered into real worship.  Music draws heaven down to earth, and draws our spirits upward to God.

Likewise, music can be a tool used by the Evil One.  It can take our minds off of the things of God, and cause us to linger on sinful thoughts or depressing, angry, lustful, or otherwise ungodly emotions.  Satan knows how powerful music is, and uses it to his own glory.  Just watch the way that popular entertainers are worshiped by their fans, and you can see how the devil likes to use music to draw people away from God.

Philippians 4:8 (ESV) says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."  Music can be a tool for us to fix our minds on the things of God.  If you only listen to Christian music when you're at church, then you're missing an opportunity to fill your mind with godly things throughout the week.  There are so many styles to choose from--every kind of music that exists has its corresponding Christian artists.  I hope that you'll consider the impact that worldly music might have on you, and also the impact that Godly music can have on you.  I'm glad that groups like Petra were around when I was a kid, and I'm glad that Christian radio has a lot to offer today.  I hope you'll listen to Christian music--not just at church on Sundays, but throughout your week as you set your mind on the things of Christ.