At the youth lock-in in February, the youth were invited to come up with some questions for my thoughts and answers. We call this exercise “Stump the Pastor.” They came up with some real ‘doozies’! For the next several months, I’ll address their questions by sharing my answers with you in my “Pastor’s Ponderngs” Trinity Times newsletter articles.
Question #1 – Is it OK to listen to music that isn’t Christian?
I love music. It seems I’m always whistling, humming, singing. Sometimes I sing really loud! Sometimes, I whisper songs. Always, I love music!
My answer would be yes it’s ok to listen to music that isn’t Christian… but I say that with
some reservations.
Would it surprise you to learn that sometimes I listen to music that isn’t Christian? On the other hand, we must be very careful what we sing because there is some really sleezy, inappropriate, and wicked music out there. Some music is filled with profanity – cursing another person is not to love him or her. Some music exalts death, dying, and killing. Dreadfully, there’s more. Simply put, if music causes you to sin, then you must do something about that music you listen to. Like stop listening to it! What we put into our minds is very important.
Listen to Jesus’ take on this as He taught His disciples in Matthew Chapter 15:19-20 – “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” Music has a powerful influence upon us. The beauty of spoken words, the repetition of pleasant, known lyrics, and soaring harmonies have such an impact on those listening. We must be aware of that. Enlist some friends to help you cultivate a theology of good music.
Question #2 – Do we have to stop contact with some friends even though they aren’t religious?
I begin my response by asking an important question. Why is it important for you to have irreligious friends? Have your parents intervened in a relationship you were cultivating with someone they didn’t approve of? If you’re still living at home with your parents, then your first response is whether you’re honoring your father and mother’s wishes for you.
One day, your parents will give an account of their care (or lack thereof) of you. At the final judgment, God will settle accounts. You, too, will give an account of how you used God’s good gifts that He has given you. In the interim, we are to rehearse living the life Jesus modeled for us throughout the entire Bible. We are to be “kind to one another, tenderedhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave (us).” Ephesians 4:32
There’s also the reality that unless people are saved from their sins, they will have no hope at the Judgment. To die without Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is to mean hell for the rest of time. That time has no end. There is no hope or relief in that life. You don’t want it, either.
If you want to hang out with some unbelieving friends, then I challenge you to do what you can to make them become religious (Christian). Have you ever told your nonreligious friends about Jesus Christ? Who He is, and why He came to earth? Have you loved your friend(s) so much that you’ve encouraged them to repent of their sins, embrace the life giving grace of Jesus Christ?
I pray the student asking these two questions is able to see my response; perhaps I should have Danny share these with Tnt as I answer them? It’s been fun. And convicting. Stayed tuned for next month’s questions. Meantime, we’ll see you this Sunday. – Pastor Daren
Trinity Presbyterian Church 