There is not much that is consistent in our lives. One might say that the only thing that is consistent is the fact of inconsistency. The only thing that will not change is that there will always be change. We see it all around us: in our world, our nation, our state, our cities and in our ecclesias in our families and also in our own personal lives. In our personal lives changes will occur. Change may be positive or negative. We want to develop positive changes in our lives, and in order to do so, effort must be expended. Left to itself negative results will occur. It is much like a cultivated hybrid flower which needs constant attention from the horticulturist to maintain its beauty. Left alone to reproduce and it will revert back to its original common condition, losing much of its inbred beauty. So it is in our lives. If we don’t work to move in a positive direction, we will go downward. It could be compared to swimming upstream. It takes a lot of effort just to stay even. The influence is ever with us, and just as it was with the Israelites of old. They came out of Egypt, but it took forty years to get Egypt out of them. In the same way we have come out of the world, but it takes quite awhile to get the world out of us. We may never rid ourselves of the world completely, but if we are to move away from its influences and move toward God, we must change, change in a positive direction.
Be Not Conformed to This World
The Bible gives us this direction. In Romans 12:2 the apostle Paul tells us not to be “conformed to this world: but be ye transformed.” The word transformed is a word that means metamorphosed which is the same word used to describe the action of the caterpillar changing into a beautiful butterfly. There is a great deal of changing necessary in us before the Lord can use us. Our task is to facilitate that change so we must do whatever we can to help it occur.
Paul tells us that change takes place when there is a renewing of the mind. In Eph. 4:23 he states that you must be made new in mind and spirit (NEB). The thought is indeed father of the deed. If we can transform the mind, actions and words will also be taken care of. If we think right we will do right. We can change the mind by controlling what goes into it. Someone once said that we feed our bodies expensive steaks, but we feed our minds junk food and garbage. We will get out of our minds what we put in.
We have options as what to feed our mind. The things of God or the things of the flesh. There have been other exhortations reminding us of the evils of television, entertainment and wrong companions and of the importance of reading our Bibles regularly and of choosing good entertainment and companions. Let us now consider the importance of music in our lives today.
Music Affects Our Character
Music is very influential as it acts beneath the conscious level and influences us without our knowing it. Supermarkets play background music because they know that it increases buying. Many of us are unaware of the music while we are shopping, but it makes shopping more pleasant so that we spend more money. Music has always been a reflection of the times. The turbulence of the 1960’s was reflected in protest and civil rights songs. More recently there was a song resurrected, Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round The Old Oak Tree, to celebrate the release of the hostages from Iran. Andrew Fletcher stated in the 17th century, “Give me the making of the songs of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws.” He felt that music influenced us more than do our laws. It was Plato who said, “The kind of music people choose affects their character.” Music is very influential in our lives. It causes us to buy more, it determines our thinking about political issues and affects our morals.
Music may have a positive influence. We will always remember the first time that we heard the Messiah. The words from Revelation “Worthy the Lamb” echoed from the chorus with the orchestra in full support. It caused us to project our thoughts to the day when the saints with the angels would sing together to the glory of the King of Kings when he begins His reign. It was a very moving experience indeed. Another case when music had a profound impact in our life was in 1972 when we were in Panama. We were at a devotional in Colon when the congregation sang hymn 312. It was a new hymn for us and we were filled with deep feelings as the words were sung. “At even ‘ere the sun was set; The sick, 0 Lord around thee lay: Oh, in what divers pains they met; Oh, with what joy they went away!” The hymn continued to remind us that we all are sick before the Lord, but he can heal us all. This has since become a favorite, of many throughout Southern California. The chorus at Bible School has accomplished this more than once and has touched the lives of many in a positive way. Other great works have touched lives. We are referring to Beethoven, Bach and others. This is why the Apostle Paul exhorts us through his letter to the Ephesians (5:19) “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” There is no question that if we would follow this direction, it would have a positive effect in our lives.
The Effect of Music Can be Negative
The effect of music can, unfortunately, also be a negative one. We are now referring to today’s rock music. We are fearful for our youth who spend time listening to this, and out of that concern and our love for them feel that this should be dealt with. We have never listened to rock music. We don’t understand it and don’t like it, but we read an article dealing with this music and what we learned made us very concerned. After reading the article, we concluded that no one who is serious about serving Christ could listen to it. We did not say that young people interested in serving the Lord should not listen. We said that they could not listen and still be concerned with the things of the Lord. If this article was accurate, and we have no reason to doubt that it was, then we need to think seriously about this problem in the lives of our young people, because this music is affecting their lives in a negative manner. Some sociologists are convinced that recorded music is the strongest of all social influences in the lives of tens of thousands of American youngsters. Modern music has its emphasis on self gratification and illicit love.
Rock Music Leading Millions Down Evil Path
This is in direct contrast to Ephesians 5:19. This is a change from the 1950’s. In the 1940’s and 1950’s there were many love songs, but they always contained respect and commitment that led to marriage. Now songs are not on the charms of the loved one, but on the sexual gratification of the one who sings. Instead of love, the songs deal with sexual gratification. Jesse Jackson, a southern religious leader, blames music as part of the cause of the rising number of illegitimate births and adoptions in American cities. Sexual lyrics give impressionable teen-ages the clear idea that premarital sex is permissible and perhaps even desirable. Some disc jockeys are pressing the right to refuse to play tunes that promote illicit behavior. One disc jockey who quit his job because he got tired of playing blatantly sexual records said, “The rock music industry is leading millions of teenagers and young adults down the evil path of drugs, sexual promiscuity and social irresponsibility.
Let’s take a look at the music much of our youth is listening to. A recent list of the top ten hits includes the following songs: Let’s make a Baby, do Something Freaky, Afternoon Delight, Share the Night together, hot Child in the City, you never Done it Like that, Nobody does it Better, Torn between two Lovers. Others we omitted as not being appropriate to mention. While the titles imply much, the lyrics are more explicit, “I’m going to stick around until I can’t see straight”, “Gotta have a good time”, “No time to wait”, “I don’t care if it’s wrong or right”. The ideas put forth all indicate that self gratification is the ultimate goal. They suggest that there is no tomorrow, therefore enjoy today. This kind of experience has no place in the lives of those who are interested in serving God, those who are looking for the blessings of the kingdom. There is a tomorrow ! This is what gives life meaning and purpose. Today needs to be subordinated to our plans for tomorrow and the fulfillment of God’s purpose in the earth.
Music Acts on a Subliminal Level
Those who listen to rock music acknowledge that many of the lyrics are immoral and not proper for the ears of believers but state that they don’t listen to the words, but they enjoy the music. That may sound quite noble, but it just doesn’t happen that way. Since music acts on a subliminal level, one is affected whether he wants to be or not. Recent studies at Claremont Graduate School revealed that “even though they do not hear the words but listen for the sake of the beat” the report stated, “they gave evidence of being influenced by the world of values which they heard. Since music affects people beneath the conscious level, the attitude and behavior of those who felt that they were not being influenced by the message demonstrated otherwise.”
The life style of the rock stars leaves much to be desired. Certainly their lives are not the kind of life we should look to for example. Their life exemplifies everything that the servant of Christ should avoid as it is diametrically opposed to the principles of Christian living. Yet they have become powerful influences in the lives of young people today. There was great mourning for John Lennon. He was worshiped and given homage undeserving of one who made the statement in the 1960’s, “We are bigger than Jesus Christ.” Many have died from drug overdoses. These include Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Brian Jones, Al Wilson, Gram Parsons, Gary Thain, Vinnie Taylor, Keith Moon, Lowel George, Tommy Bolin, Robbie McIntosh and Sid Vicious. It is not possible for rock music which brings lyrics that present themes of drugs, sex, perversion and blasphemy, and singers who portray images of sexual licentiousness and drug advocacy to be anything but a negative influence in the lives of those who listen to it.
The Key is to be Selective
What should be done about this serious problem? Since music has a definite effect on the mind, we must be careful about the music we listen to. If our minds are to be transformed, renewed, this mind pollution must end. If there are redeeming songs, then listen to those, but be selective. That is the key. Be selective. Every radio has a switch. Turn off those songs which promote life styles that conflict with the commands of God. Jesus warned us about being too involved in the world. (Luke 21:34) “Take heed . . . lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting . . . and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” If an inappropriate song comes on, turn it off. It doesn’t matter how much you like the tune, turn it off. Don’t allow it to pollute your mind. You may have heard the story about the man who lived on a mountain and wanted to find a chauffeur to drive him up and down the mountain. He began interviewing for the job. The first told how he could go right up to the edge and not lose control of the car. The second mentioned that he could run half of the tire width over the edge and still not lose control of the car. The third made claims even greater than the other two. He could put the whole wheel over the edge of the mountain and still make it down the mountain. The last to be interviewed stated that he would stay as far from the edge as possible. He, of course, got the job. It is the same with sin. We want to stay as far away from it as possible. We “can’t put fire into our bosom and not be burned.” Solomon gives us similar advice. Prov. 4:13-15 “Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil man. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” Paul says that we are to be made new in spirit. (Eph. 4:23) This cannot happen unless we put the right things into our mind. Jesus would not have listened to improper music and neither should we. Let’s each pray for what is right and for strength to do right. Then use the switch. Turn off that which will not help our minds grow.
“Finally brothers, fill your minds with everything that is true, everything that is good and pure, everything that we love and honor, and everything that can be thought virtuous or worthy of praise, think on these things. Phil. 4:8 J.B.
“Sing the words and tunes of the psalms and hymns when you are together, and go on singing and chanting to the Lord in your heart, so that always and everywhere you are giving thanks to God who is our Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Follow Paul’s sound advice and your mind will be renewed and changed for his glory.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One