"I'm bored-stiff. I need something to liven up my being and bring a little pomp into the atmosphere; something to which I can tap my foot and get my groove on. I need a song that will tickle my fancy and take me beyond this tedium. Make me music that matches my youth. Whatever the message, I don't mind so long as it keeps me going until I attain the desired fulfillment. Anything goes for me; after all, I will do nothing more than listening to it. You know I am a Christian and I won't compromise my faith for a platinum bar".
The above, to a large extent, is the position of many Christian youths today. The opening lines of the statement are indicative of a people who know what they want, at least going by their youthfulness. But from the second, they seem not to have the slightest idea as to the consequence that comes with their request or preference.
This for me is another way of saying that one can eat anything so long as they are hungry; be it junk or poisonous. But we all know the health implication of that kind of food even without consulting medical experts, so that anybody concerned about their health and total well-being ensures to stay away from such.
The same goes for music. You see music, just like food, is made or prepared with "ingredients". The result one wants to achieve determines the kind of "ingredients" to use. After preparation, music becomes a commodity for various purposes with accompanying effects which can either be good or bad. It therefore behooves the consumer to carefully select that which fits best his/her standing.
As Christians, we have right standing with God (Romans 5:1-2). Having achieved this by grace, God now calls on us to be holy just as He is (1 Peter 1:16). And in order to attain this, one has to make a deliberate effort to avoid everything evil as the Bible says in 1Thessalonians 5:22 "Abstain from all appearance of evil".
If the content of the music or song embraces the very things God abhors which are unrighteousness, immorality, violence, deceit and the like, then it is evil and must be avoided with saintly alacrity.
I am persuaded that the God we serve will produce in you the desired change after reading this short piece.
(ksafo1@gmail.com)
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