MUSIC
Hardly anything else excites people as much these days as music. Whether on television, radio, or the internet, almost nothing seems to work without it.
For many people, music is their greatest passion; for some, it's even their entire purpose in life. Young people in particular dream of one day performing on stage as a music star. There are countless artists and bands around the world who want to realize their musical potential and spread their message through music. Many of these musicians are promoted by so-called record companies, which are themselves part of a massive music industry whose primary goal is financial profit. The marketing of the songs is supported by the advertising industry. The singers and musicians, who usually receive only a fraction of the revenue, mostly serve the producers merely as a means to an end.
Some are willing to do almost anything to make their lifelong dream of a music career come true. But only a few musicians achieve the big breakthrough. For most, their musical success remains merely a brief moment in time. Those who manage to make a name for themselves are celebrated as icons by their fans, even long after their death. Many of these stars love being in the spotlight and being idolized by their fans. Music concerts at which they appear are often like mass worship. The Bible, on the other hand, explicitly warns that nothing and no one else should be worshipped but God alone. This applies to humans as well as to every other creature.
There are countless musicians and rappers around the world who spread anti-God or even satanic content in their songs. This consciously or unconsciously entices listeners to sinful behavior, thereby incurring guilt before God. Singers like Jay-Z or Michael Jackson, and female singers like Lady Gaga or Beyoncé, are even said to have openly made pacts with the devil simply to become famous. But although these stars are world-famous and extremely wealthy, many of them have broken personalities. Quite a few suffer from depression and other mental health issues. Some are even addicted to drugs and other intoxicants. For some stars, their careers have ended in suicide...
While most stars are primarily measured by their musical success, material possessions, or physical attractiveness, their character and social contribution to society play hardly any role. Instead of being role models for others, many of them are primarily notable for their immoral, unbridled, and extravagant lifestyles. Their often gigantic fortunes include luxury cars and enormous mansions, as well as jets and yachts worth millions or even billions. Before God, however, neither wealth nor reputation counts.
Faith in Jesus goes hand in hand with a godly lifestyle, the fruits of which include generosity and contentment. For God is kind and delights in giving. Therefore, those who are generous and share their possessions with the poor and needy will be blessed by God. On the other hand, the Bible warns against setting one's heart on the fleeting riches of this world or accumulating possessions only for oneself, as most rich people do. The greed for money and prestige corrupts our hearts and closes people off from God and thus from eternal life.
In addition, God—as the Bible prophesies—will create a new earth. This means that the earth in its present form will perish. In this future world, which God intends to give to His children as their eternal possession, only His holy name will be sung and praised. All the names of history's most successful musicians and bands, along with their musical works, will fade into insignificance, as if they had never existed. Neither their fame nor their memory will endure. Even the biggest global hit will one day be forgotten forever...
Certain sounds and rhythms have an intoxicating effect on people – similar to drugs. This is especially true of electronic dance music. It transports listeners to a kind of emotional ecstasy. The Bible, on the other hand, admonishes us to remain sober at all times and not allow ourselves to be controlled by anything. Especially in so-called charismatic churches, almost the entire service is accompanied by music. Many such events are more reminiscent of a concert than a spiritual gathering of believers. Yet it is often the music that primarily attracts young people, while God's Word plays a secondary role.
Constantly listening to music at high volume, especially through headphones or earplugs, overstimulates the senses and can cause long-term hearing damage. Furthermore, constant exposure to loud music prevents the body and mind from resting. The constant inner tension, in turn, can lead to various health problems. Furthermore, secular music distracts people from reflecting on God and their own lives. For some, music serves as a means of enduring the desolation of their finite existence. But in truth, only God is able to fill the inner emptiness in our hearts. Therefore, music can in no way replace a relationship with God.
Music is a wonderful gift from God. Its true purpose is to sing praise to God with beautiful melodies and thus to pay homage and tribute to our Creator, to whom every person owes their life. All musical talents and gifts a person possesses should serve this purpose. At the same time, we may enjoy the diverse musical sounds that God has created. Music that serves only commercial purposes and whose content contradicts God's commandments is considered abomination by God. Such music misses its purpose and is a waste of one's talents. The Bible contains a large collection of psalms (prayers or poems) and spiritual songs that highlight God's name and his great deeds. This kind of music fulfills its true purpose, pleases God, and brings us closer to our Creator.
Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre. Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.
Begin the music, strike the timbrel,Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;play the melodious harp and lyre.
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn— shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord.
I will sing a new song to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to You, (...).
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
(...) speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.