My Personal Standards for music are my own. Many people, especially Christians will disagree with me. I know that all people have different levels of sensitivity to music, therefore everyone will have different standards. But the issue of music is not whether you and I agree, it is whether I am right with my God. If a man can truthfully stand under God’s gaze and his standards are right according to God, than no man should judge him for them. But I also believe that there is a line concerning music that no man should cross. This line is crossed daily by people who claim to love God and call themselves Christians. There is no question why the world laughs at the Christian faith, they see Christians listening to the exact same trash that they do. Christians have allowed Satan to use them through music, therefore their influence over the unsaved has been watered down, polluted and almost destroyed.
Music in the Home I believe that Music in the home can differ from music in the church to a certain extent. There is a time and a place for everything. You would not play Happy Birthday at a funeral just like you would not play certain songs in church. I do believe that there are songs that can be played in one’s home that are not songs about God. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Classical music is an example of music I deem appropriate in the home. There is nothing sinful about the structure of classical music, and studies have proven that it increases the creativity of the mind. I also believe that certain romantic songs are appropriate for a husband and wife to listen to at certain times. Bluegrass, Southern Gospel (with discretion) and songs with acoustic guitars are also acceptable music for home listening. Music in the Heart “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9 I believe that God created music not only for His own worship, but also for man’s souls. Music can comfort and uplift the spirit. It can change a grumpy attitude into a joyful one. The power of music over the mind is amazing and terrifying at the same time. Music has driven men to do great things. It can empower a person’s mind to create, excite a person to compete, but it can also compel a person to destroy. There was a young boy who listened to dark violent music all day long, and then he took a knife and murdered his aunt in the kitchen. When the boy was asked why he would do such a thing, he replied that he felt as if he had been driven by an inward force that demanded bloodshed. God never intended for music to be used in such a way, but when sin entered the world, it allowed way for many corrupt things. Christians should not permit music to seduce their heart to evil. Therefore we should take care to always keep a Godly song in our hearts. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16 If Jesus Christ dwells in a Christian’s heart, then shouldn’t praise for Him also dwell there as well? “Sing unto God, sing praises to His name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.” Psalm 68:4 I believe that we should wake with a song in our heart praising God, and sing it all day long. If a Godly song indwells us, then the Devil will not be able to use his music against us.
One way the Devil has accomplished this in modern day is through the use of Rock and Roll. The genre of Rock n’ Roll music got it’s start in the late 1940’s, through such artists as Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Brenda Lee, and the Everly Brothers. Since that time many other types of music have become popular, music genres such as Pop, Country, Dance, Jazz, Punk, Blues, Rap and the list goes on. All of these music types differ just a little, but they have one strong bond. They are all the Devil’s tool to corrupt a Christian’s mind, his heart, his body, and ultimately his ability to do anything for God. I strongly believe that music is a drug. It is the most addicting and destructive force in this world. Music is used more often, and reaches more people than caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, weed, heroine, gambling, porn, sex, and any other addiction known to mankind. The average amount of time a person spends listening to music is twenty to forty hours a week. Unlike alcohol or drugs, music can reach every age. Rap music blares through the car speakers as an infant is strapped in the back seat, and the parents think nothing of it. Pop music is running rampant through the headphones of America’s youth, and the police force, Alcoholic’s Anonymous, and rehab centers are doing nothing about it. These people who spend so much of their time trying to help people with their addictions are taking no action, because they don’t know that they have to. They do not realize that music is killing the souls of every single person on planet earth. Music in the Church I believe that Music in church should be sacred. The easiest way to put it would be that I believe all churches should only use a good old fashioned hymn book. However, that will not satisfy most people. These days people want to know why we can’t use projectors, and why the choir can’t sway back and forth, and why Chuck can’t play his electric guitar in the orchestra. My answer to all of those questions is why should we? Why would independent, fundamental, soul-winning, Bible believing, separated, Baptist Christians want to resemble the world in any way? John called out for Christians to be set apart from the things of the world. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15 No one can refute that the verse clearly states that if we love the world and wish to be like them, than we do not love God. So if you want to bring contemporary music into the church, you must not love God, so why do you even go to church? However, my belief of old fashioned music in the church goes far beyond just that point. The old hymns were written by Godly men and woman such as Fannie Crosby, John Newton, and Charles Wesley. These people knew God, they walked with him daily, they had life experiences that God brought them through and they wrote about these experiences through songs. They praised God and brought glory to God. The types of songs we should sing in church are hymns such as “Holy, Holy, Holy,” “Amazing Grace,” and “Nearer my God to Thee.” These songs are what bring people to their knees at an altar instead of just waving their hand back and forth in a pew.
Music in the Church I believe that Music in church should be sacred. The easiest way to put it would be that I believe all churches should only use a good old fashioned hymn book. However, that will not satisfy most people. These days people want to know why we can’t use projectors, and why the choir can’t sway back and forth, and why Chuck can’t play his electric guitar in the orchestra. My answer to all of those questions is why should we? Why would independent, fundamental, soul-winning, Bible believing, separated, Baptist Christians want to resemble the world in any way? John called out for Christians to be set apart from the things of the world. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, if any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15 No one can refute that the verse clearly states that if we love the world and wish to be like them, than we do not love God. So if you want to bring contemporary music into the church, you must not love God, so why do you even go to church? However, my belief of old fashioned music in the church goes far beyond just that point. The old hymns were written by Godly men and woman such as Fannie Crosby, John Newton, and Charles Wesley. These people knew God, they walked with him daily, they had life experiences that God brought them through and they wrote about these experiences through songs. They praised God and brought glory to God. The types of songs we should sing in church are hymns such as “Holy, Holy, Holy,” “Amazing Grace,” and “Nearer my God to Thee.” These songs are what bring people to their knees at an altar instead of just waving their hand back and forth in a pew. Music in the Home I believe that Music in the home can differ from music in the church to a certain extent. There is a time and a place for everything. You would not play Happy Birthday at a funeral just like you would not play certain songs in church. I do believe that there are songs that can be played in one’s home that are not songs about God. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Classical music is an example of music I deem appropriate in the home. There is nothing sinful about the structure of classical music, and studies have proven that it increases the creativity of the mind. I also believe that certain romantic songs are appropriate for a husband and wife to listen to at certain times. Bluegrass, Southern Gospel (with discretion) and songs with acoustic guitars are also acceptable music for home listening.
Ezekiel tells us that Satan knew it since the day that he was created. “Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.” Ezekiel 28:13 Since we know that the Devil knows how to use music, we can also know that he will use it against us. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 Satan has been using music to capture God’s people since Bible days. When Aaron crafted the golden calf for the people of Israel to worship, they danced around naked acting wild and satanic. It was certainly not God worshiping harps that caused their sensual dance. When Nebuchadnezzar built an idol of himself for all the people of Babylon to worship, he signaled worship through music. The Bible lists several different instruments that were used to cue worship towards the idol. (Daniel 3:15) These instruments may not have been sinful; however, they directed worship toward a statue instead of God, causing the sin of idolatry. Even in the Bible times, Satan used music to infiltrate the minds and hearts of people. One way the Devil has accomplished this in modern day is through the use of Rock and Roll. The genre of Rock n’ Roll music got it’s start in the late 1940’s, through such artists as Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Brenda Lee, and the Everly Brothers. Since that time many other types of music have become popular, music genres such as Pop, Country, Dance, Jazz, Punk, Blues, Rap and the list goes on. All of these music types differ just a little, but they have one strong bond. They are all the Devil’s tool to corrupt a Christian’s mind, his heart, his body, and ultimately his ability to do anything for God. I strongly believe that music is a drug. It is the most addicting and destructive force in this world. Music is used more often, and reaches more people than caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, cocaine, weed, heroine, gambling, porn, sex, and any other addiction known to mankind. The average amount of time a person spends listening to music is twenty to forty hours a week. Unlike alcohol or drugs, music can reach every age. Rap music blares through the car speakers as an infant is strapped in the back seat, and the parents think nothing of it. Pop music is running rampant through the headphones of America’s youth, and the police force, Alcoholic’s Anonymous, and rehab centers are doing nothing about it. These people who spend so much of their time trying to help people with their addictions are taking no action, because they don’t know that they have to. They do not realize that music is killing the souls of every single person on planet earth.
Ephesians 1:2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:14-15 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; Ephesians 6:15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Ephesians 6:23Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philemon 1:3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:9Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Colossians 1:2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Colossians 3:15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
1 Thessalonians 1:1Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:2Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:16Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
2 Timothy 1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Titus 1:4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 2:10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: Romans 5:1Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Romans 8:6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 10:15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 14:17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. Romans 15:13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:33Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Romans 16:20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
1 Corinthians 1:3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 7:15But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 2 Corinthians 1:2Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Galatians 1:3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Galatians 5:22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
God of peace Romans 16:20 And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. 1 Thessalonians 5:23And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Peace of God Philippians 4:7 And the peaceofGod, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Colossians 3:15 And let the peaceofGod rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
Peace with God Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peacewith God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Peace from God Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peacefromGod our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 1:2 Grace be to you and peacefromGod our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:3 Grace be to you and peacefromGod the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 1:2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:2Grace unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Timothy 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. 2 Timothy 1:2 To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Titus 1:4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. Philemon 1:3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 John 1:3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
Then Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit gave us other thoughts on when and how we are comforted: Romans 1:12That is, that I may be comforted together with you … Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 1 Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 1 Corinthians 14:31For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1:6And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 2 Corinthians 2:7So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 2 Corinthians 7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. 2 Corinthians 7:6-7 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, … 2 Corinthians 7:13Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, … 2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Ephesians 6:22 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. Philippians 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Philippians 2:19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. Colossians 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; Colossians 4:8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort your hearts; Colossians 4:11And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my fellow workers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto me. 1 Thessalonians 2:11 As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, 1 Thessalonians 3:2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellow labourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: 1 Thessalonians 3:7Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 1 Thessalonians 5:14Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. 2 Thessalonians 2:17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
There are two definitions for the word CURSE: Noun – a solemn utterance intended to invoke a supernatural power to inflict harm or punishment on someone or something. And – an offensive word or phrase used to express anger or annoyance. Verb – invoke or use a curse against. And – utter offensive words in anger or annoyance.
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 15:4, Mark 7:10For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: Matthew 26:74, Mark 14:71Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. Mark 11:21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. Luke 6:28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. John 7:49 But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed. Acts 23:12And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Acts 23:14And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Romans 12:14Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Galatians 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Galatians 3:13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: James 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 2 Peter 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: In the text above it would appear to CURSE something was to mean harm to it.
As a believer, we should be very careful when we CURSE something or someone.