Exploring Christian Entertainment, Part 1: Music

Exploring Christian Entertainment, Part 1: Music

Here is a link to my husband's video on Christian Music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvB28kbBm68

Music has always been a big part of my life.  My Mom tells me I used to imitate the singers in the church with my own sounds before I could even talk. I also have clear memories from when I around 5 years old of sitting in front of our family's record player in my miniature rocking chair while raising my hands and praising the Lord.  My Mom says I was also speaking in tongues while I worshipped, but I don't remember those details, just the joy of letting God know how much I loved Him.  In spite of how shy I am, loved singing in church either with my family or alone (we sang a lot of Gaither songs!).  It was inevitable that by the age of 12, "I played in the band (trumpet) and sang in the choir"!  

In the 1970s and 80s I loved Evie, Sandi Patty, and Keith Green. Admittedly, as I grew older, I did not have the best music choices.  In the later 1980s through the 1990s my flesh was drawn to the heavier beats of Petra, DeGarmo & Key, and even Stryper.  By the 2000's I was even listening to Skillet, Kutless, and Flyleaf.  I shutter to think of that now!  Where was my discernment?  Actually, I know where it was.  When I would listen to certain songs, I would feel a Satanic presence, but I rebelliously ignored it and justified it by saying some of the songs had good lyrics.

Since meeting and marrying Mel, we have both prayerfully and humbly asked God to purge us of anything that was displeasing to Him.  One of the first things we got rid of after we got married in 2012 was the secular music labeled as "Christian."  I am much more careful with what I expose my ear gates to now (see Philippians 4:8 below).  My passion for music now goes much deeper, anything I sing or listen to MUST glorify the King of Kings.  There is nothing wrong with faster rhythms as long as they are still respectful and not using specific beats to summon demons (see below for more on that).  If in doubt, I turn it off!     

Let me further explain why I am posting this writing again.

My husband and I recently watched a sermon from a pastor where he spoke out against the demonic beats in music and how such music causes the listener to feel lust, rebellion, depression, etc.  Some people in his congregation became so angry they walked out.  I applaud this man for speaking out, but very unfortunately he did not practice what he preached.  After watching that message I wanted to watch a worship service from his church, and it showed their "worship" team screaming as they wildly jumped up and down.  This was not worshipping God in spirit and in Truth, but was appealing to the flesh (John 4:24 - God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.). Whether you believe it or not, I felt a demonic presence so strongly, I had to turn it off after two minutes or less. It is also what prompted me to want to reshare this writing I originally wrote at least 10 years ago.  Here is that writing:

What would you say if I told you all of the above photos are of bands who promote themselves as "Christian"?  If you look like the world on the outside, what does that say about the condition of your heart on the inside? If these images don't make you feel sick in your spirit, maybe you need to ask God why you are so comfortable with "Christians" looking like atheists.

(Romans 12:1-2 ) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.   And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

There are also plenty of pictures of female Christian artists from different genres of "Christian" music dressed and posed provocatively.  I did not feel comfortable sharing such images, but trust me, they are out there.  

(I Timothy 2:9-10) In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation... which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 

I am not trying to mock anyone, but I just don't understand why anyone would promote themselves as a Christian band if they were not willing to walk the walk and talk and the talk.   

For that matter, why would any of us listen to such music, thus promoting ungodly music and giving them our money when only genuine Christians serving Jesus should get our support? 

(Philippians 4:8-9) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. 

We may think that any kind of music is safe as long as it is promoted as Christian.  As I mentioned in the new introduction above,  my husband and I once both listened to Christian music in the past with a heavy rock beat (and sometimes not-so-heavy, but it is still obvious the artist is compromising).  Our flesh enjoyed the secular rhythm.  There was not always a Godly message to be found in the lyrics, but the voices were good, and the beat was pleasing.  What we both noticed was that, even while trying to enjoy the music, we would always feel a sense of agitation while listening to it.  That is called a check in your spirit when God is trying to warn you something is bad.  It is also called discernment.

 (Philippians 1:9-10) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.  

David Wilkerson was an amazing holiness preacher. He had a great gift of prophecy and discernment.  In 1987, David was invited to attend a well-known Christian singer's concert.  While at this concert, the band began playing a very popular song.  In the spirit, David saw Satan laughing at the crowd because they were doing this all in the name of Jesus, but they were truly worshiping Satan in their hearts.  (Please read his profound article: http://tscpulpitseries.org/english/1980s/ts870803.html )

(Isaiah 5:20 ) Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! 

Think demons aren't real?

(Ephesians 6:12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  

Mel gave up "Christian" rock music in his teens, when his late mother saw demons attached to the music he was listening to.  Mel's mother, Marie was a prophetic woman with the gift of spiritual discernment.  

Like Pastor Wilkerson, even before I knew he also had a vision, I had a vision of a demon on stage at a "Christian" concert my husband and I attended.  The demon had a wide, sadistic grin on its face as if it was fully enjoying the fact that the audience was enjoying and even dancing to the very secular music that had nothing to even do with Christ.  I turned to Mel and said, "Do you feel that? The air is heavy and making me sick to my stomach." Mel acknowledged he felt the same way. We quickly left. As we were heading out the door, Mel felt the urge to loudly say, "Ichabod! The spirit of the Lord has departed."  Another concert goer, also about to leave, looked at him and shouted, "Amen! Preach it brother!"  

Artists promoting themselves as "Christian" are truly wolves in sheep's clothing.  They do not care about the condition of your soul.  What they want is your adoration, and of course, your money.  Look again at the faces of those in the pictures above.  Do you see any humility?  Do their songs really praise Jesus or just ask for stuff and whine about life being hard?  The only message given is the very watered-down grace message that says we are all forgiven because we are only human.  You will never hear repentance or holiness preached.  You rarely even hear the name of Jesus or God, but rather the songs are about a generic, "you." 

If you have ever been to one of these concerts, pay attention to who is getting worshipped.     

(Romans 12:3) For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought.

Ungodly music does not just come from professional studios.  Many churches are also into promoting the same ungodly beats for the sake of entertainment and, more importantly, for the sake of getting money placed in the offering.  Do not be deceived that just because the music is sung in a church that it is pleasing to God.

Mel once had a dream where he was attending a fancy mega-church.  He sat in the bleachers with some younger people, and the elders of the church were seated to their right.  The worship leader began encouraging them to worship God by clapping and lifting their hands to the Lord.  Then he began telling them to dance before the Lord.  Don't be fooled that there is anything holy about the Holy Ghost Hop, for this is what they were doing in the dream.  Then he encouraged the congregation to take their clothes off before the Lord.  This is symbolic of sin.  As the younger people began peeling their clothes off, the elders began to point and chant, "Shame!  Shame!"

Also, consider this:  the heavy drum beats used in some of the popular music styles come from tribal music used in satanic rituals.  Some of these same rhythms have been and still are used to call on demons.  The demons have not forgotten this fact, nor do they care who you think you are calling.  They will answer.

Not all Christian artists are wrong to listen to. There are many that sing beautiful songs that glorify the Lord. With that said, however, even the softer style of music is likely to be sung by lukewarm Christians. Often I see popular artists dancing around, jumping up in down, raising their hands, using phony mood lighting, and even strobe lights, all for show-and-tell and to promote him/herself.  When you are close to the Lord, you can tell the difference between these Actors pretending to glorify the Lord with teary eyes and up-raised arms. Emotionalism sells albums and tickets! The lyrics and beats may be safe, but even if the singer is phony, just make certain you are glorifying God in your personal worship and not the singer. 

My husband and I are both very careful about the type of music we listen to.  We pay close attention to any discernments the Holy Spirit may give us.  If either one of us feels uncomfortable, the music gets turned off.  We encourage you to also listen closely to the Holy Spirit when he warns you about what you allow into your home, car, or office.