This article was written back in 2006, and posted here in 2010, due to former website crash and burn.
Spiritual Warfare is something that every believer must deal with in their life and walk as a believer in Yeshua the Messiah. It is interesting that few believers have considered that modern music is one of the most significant places of demonic activity today. Evil spirits and their influence in modern music can be devastating in our lives if we neglect to realize the kind of spiritual impact music has upon us. I believe that listening to secular Rock-n-Roll has serious spiritual consequences which can be devastating to our relationship with God.
A. Introduction
Today’s “Rock Music” that is not Christ centered has been a topic of concern of mine for many years now. I have watched as Christians today accept mainstream secular Rock-n-Roll without a thought of the spiritual consequences which may result. Within the world of Rock-n-Roll, and specifically in heavy metal bands, musicians are idolized. These bands promote immorality, Satanism, suicide, sadomasochism and masochistic behavior, drug abuse, obscene language, and even direct blasphemy of God and His Holy name. We will examine how listening to non-Christ centered music such as secular Rock Music will draw the light of life right out of our hearts, which is accomplished by exchanging the light of Yeshua (Jesus) with the darkness of this world.
Before I write an article, I usually do a literature search on http://www.google.com/ to see what others have written about a particular topic I am interested in writing about. I performed a search with multiple permutations of the words “demon and music” and to my surprise, it does not appear anyone has written anything significantly on this topic. I have not looked for any books that may have been written on the topic, so there may be some out there that I do not know about. I think it is time some basic truths be taught about today’s music. I would like to shed some light upon what our young people are subjecting themselves too by listening to Rock Music.
I have said this before, and I will say it again, the time has now come where we need a more systematic approach to identifying practices that are more than simply differences in biblical thought or interpretation but that are an entirely other gospel, another spirit, and another Yeshua.
We need to begin to really examine ideas, modes of thought, the decisions we make, and all of life in light of the written Word of God.
The Bible is absolutely important for a believer’s life because it is food for the spirit. Why? Once the Bible becomes less of an influence in our lives, other occult activities become acceptable, such as reading ones horoscope, numerology, and even not knowing if certain music is ok to listen too or not. Not knowing the differences between right and wrong will allow us to fall into a situation like what happened in Chapter 7 and 8 of Joshua. Playing around with Rock-n-Roll, one brings the accursed thing into their heart, mind and soul, bringing with it damaging spiritual consequences. As a believer, we are still capable of straying into enemy territory and coming under bondage by the evil one. In the book of Joshua, the accursed thing brought immediate failure and the lack of success in battle demonstrated the Lord’s judgment of sin.
The real battleground is in the heart and in our imagination; this is why God told us to write His words upon our hearts. To begin identifying practices which lead to failure into sin, look first at your heart and imagination. Identifying practices which lead to sin calls for personal reflection upon our spiritual state with respect to the biblical standard.
i. How to approach the problem?
Let us now examine the issue at hand. First, we need to develop an outline in order to approach the problem and analyze who, what, when, where, and why. Thinking critically begins by asking questions. Questions like the following:
Brainstorming to think critically
(i) What is the world described as according to the Bible in relation to my faith? (ii) What is being said in the songs that is really such a problem for believers? (iii) How much of an influence are demons in this world according to the Bible? (iv) How can music have such a spiritual influence on my life when I don’t really pay attention to the words anyway? (v) How do we apply this to our lives, and tie it all together?
A little brain storming goes a long way. I asked myself these simple questions, then, organize my thoughts by writing them down. Second, an outline is developed in order to answer the questions posed.
B. Outline
1. Examine scripture concerning the “carnal man”
a. This will bring into perspective the nature of the world and the nature of man who is born new in Yeshua (Jesus).
2. Review some selected articles from Heavy metal Rock-n-Roll
3. Examine biblical references to the spiritual influences in this world.
4. Music, Rhythm, Beat, patterns with respect to physical and spiritual stimulation.
5. Discussion – tying it all together, and application for our lives
6. Conclusions
Critical thinking begins by asking questions. Now that an outline has been developed, lets begin by looking at the carnal man according to the scriptures. This will help us to understand what the nature of the world is and hopefully help us to understand better how we should be separated from the world.
C. The carnal man according to scripture
If we are to live as new creatures in Jesus Christ, we need to understand what is meant by the “old man” passing away. God gives us (in the Bible) various definitions helping us identify who is the old/carnal man. Romans 1:18-312 says that the old man has the following attributes:
1. Holds truth in unrighteousness
2. Does not glorify God
3. Is not thankful for what one has
4. Has vain imaginations
5. Possesses a foolish heart
6. Professes to be wise
7. Manipulates God’s truth using the Bible
8. Gives into the lusts of his own heart
9. Dishonor their own bodies
10. Changes the truth into a lie. See also. Isaiah 5:20.
11. Has vile affections, such as homosexuality
12. Has a reprobate mind
13. Is unrighteous
14. Fornicates
15. Is wicked
16. Is covetous
17. Is malicious
18. Is full of envy
19. Murders
20. Debate – engaging in strife or combat
21. Is deceitful
22. Is malicious, like possessing intense ill will or hatred
23. Gossips
24. Is a backbiter
25. Is a hater of God
26. Is despiteful
27. Is proud
28. Boasts
29. Is an inventor of evil things
30. Is disobedient to his parents
31. Has no reverent understanding of the Bible
32. Is a covenant breaker
33. Has no natural affection
34. He is implacable, which means impossible to appease or incapable of being pacified
35. Is unmerciful
36. Does not know God’s judgment by not knowing the Torah(God’s Law).
37. Takes pleasure in doing evil things
It is easy to see that there are 37 specific things that define who the old/carnal man is, and this is just according to the book of Romans. Moreover, the apostle Paul tells us not to accompany ourselves with believers who do these things “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” 1 Corinthians 5:112. This scripture is not saying we should not be friends with sinners, but is talking about a brother, fellow believer, who maintains a life of sin without conviction of such sin. To summarize, it appears as though when we place our faith in Yeshua we no longer do the things which are common among those who are unbelievers:
1. Fornicators
2. Covetous persons
3. Idolaters
4. Railers, which is one who scoffs, insults, censures, or reproaches with opprobrious language. (Definition of Opprobrious: one who expresses contemptuous reproach, or is scornful and abusive).
5. Drunkards
6. Extortioners
This list describes the world and the nature of our former selves. Something to note, we are being bombarded by this nature from all sides in our culture. Our spirit is constantly at war with the sin nature versus the things of God. This world wants and HaSatan desires to draw us back to the carnal self to fulfill our lusts and minimize our faith. Now that we have an idea from scripture what the world is like, let’s next examine a selection of Artists from secular Rock-n-Roll.
D. Artists Reviewed
I felt it was necessary to review three different artists in order to gain a better understanding of the nature and culture the Rock-n-Roll movement is promoting. Entertainment is a big influence on our culture both for good and for evil. While reading these summary reviews think about your spiritual growth and how it might be influenced by listening to this type of music.
I. Slipknot
i. Slipknot “Iowa Album”
Summary
On the title track, the singer murders his girlfriend in a demented act of affection saying “I will kill you to love you.” The track titled “Left Behind” contains blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Slipknot screams countless obscenities where the f-word is a favorite. The songs contain violent, hate filled tirades on such tracts as “My Plague,” “Metabolic,” “I Am Hated,” and “Disasterpiece” which portray graphic acts of sexualized homicide too heinous to discuss here. The songs contain nasty threats such as in the song “Disasterpiece” the lyrics say “Feel like I’m erased, so kill me just in case” these guys moan about their pain and invite others to put them out of their misery. In order to escape the hellish existence here on earth their song “Gently” proposes escaping into a drug-induced euphoria. You might ask why these guys have so much discontentment, despair and hatred, the answer to this question lies with the song titled “People=Shit” whose lyrics say “I got changed and I’m sitting on the side of Satan,” and the song “The Heretic Anthem” with lyrics such as “If you are 555 then I’m 666,” not to mention the song titled “I am Hated” which says “We will not repent, this is our religion.” Clearly the motivation here is unholy, and we can see the evil spirits speaking where one of their songs state “I’m teaching your brightest, they’re listening.”
ii. Slipknot “Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses) Album”
Summary
This song contains an hour of hopelessness in the bands tirade against systems and circumstances which can not be controlled (ie. the song “The Blister Exists”). The songs teach about lashing out against authority figures that have hurt them (ie. the song “Welcome”). The nature of the music comes out in the spirit of the antichrist within the song titled “Three Nil” which scoffs at a Christian view of salvation and ends with a bitter farewell that desires to put an end to one’s life in suicide. Promoting ungodly sexual relationships (the song “Vermillion”) and having no use for religion (the song “Opium of the People”) are some of the focus points of this album. Next, we can see the image of demons desiring worship saying “I wana burn your soul” in the song “The Virus of Life” and literally angrily insisting on being worshiped and screams “the only thing I ever really loved was hurting you” in the song “The Nameless.” There are lots and lots of literal “growling” thrown within the songs on this album.
II. Korn
i. Korn “Life is peachy album”
Summary
Korn seems to have a love for explicit obscenities. They will rattle off a dozen obscenities in succession for pure shock value. The f-word appears throughout the lyrics. Disrespect to parents expressing in great detail the deep hatred of parents wanting to see them dead such as in the song titled “Kill You.” In the song “Good God” the band blames the Lord for having an empty existence. The focus of the album is on sex and masturbation with strangers which is advocated in the song “A.D.I.D.A.S” (All Day I Dream About Sex),“ This band also blends sex and violence together like slipknot in the song “Wicked.”
ii. Korn “Untouchables Album”
Summary
This album contains three dozen F-words. It does not surprise me today while walking around the university how freely and nonchalantly (indifference) the F-word is used by both men and women. The focus of this album is pain, hate, and hopelessness (ie. “Make Believe,” “I’m Hiding,” “Blame,” “Bottled Up Inside,” “No One’s There,” “Hating,” “One More Time”). For example, in the song “Wake Up Hate” the lead singer Jonathan Davis describes himself as “disgusting” and then screams “I wana break everything … I’m still hating till I can hate no more.” The band desires to tell our children to be insecure and self-destructive in the songs “Embrace” and “Here to Stay” by saying “I take my face and bash it into a mirror.” Is it no wonder those who listen to such music is so insecure about themselves? The songs again turn to sexual violence promoting sadomasochism in the song “Beat It Upright.” Satan is here to kill steal and destroy, this is exactly what is happening to those who are putting these thoughts and ideas into their head by listening to Korn.
iii. Korn “Follow the leader Album”
Summary
In this album, we have a similarity between the Album “iowa” by Slipknot in that the lead singer Jonathan Davis fantasizes in graphic detail about choking his girlfriend to death while having sex with her in the song “My Gift to You.” The Lead singer contemplates suicide on the song “B.b.k.” The band promotes a sort of sick clan which practices deviant erotica in the song “All in the Family.” Have you ever wondered why “smoking weed” (marijuana) is so popular and believed to be of no-consequence? It is because our young people are listening to people telling them they are “Generation triple X, we’re all about the weed smoke and the kinky sex.” Four songs on this album encourage self-loathing and despair and finishes by the vocalist imagining killing his parents on the song “Dead Bodies Everywhere.”
III. Marilyn Manson
i. Marilyn Manson “Mechanical Animals Album”
Summary
Marilyn Manson seems to take pride in drug use and abuse; many tracts on this album contain words glamorizing the use and abuse (ie. “Rock Is Dead,” “I Don’t Like the Drugs, But They Like Me,” “I Want to Disappear,” “New Model No. 15,” “Dope Show”). Marilyn Manson takes a special interest in God and his vendetta to blaspheme the Lord. In one song, he reduces God to a statistic (ie. The song “Posthuman”). The music promotes desires of murder and suicide, he says “If I loved myself I’d be shooting you” (ie. The song “Fundamentally Loathsome”) and “I’m just a boy playing the suicide king” (ie. The song “Mechanical Animals.” I have heard some people claim that sex isn’t about love. It is no wonder when one listens to Marilyn Manson when he says “I’m not in love, but I’m gonna f*** you until someone better comes along” in the song “User Friendly.” Marilyn Manson’s albums have in the past been very satanic in nature with themes of angst, apathy and abuse. Please don’t sell your soul in order to listen to this music because that is what HaSatan wants, just like Marilyn Manson sings “I wanna die young and sell my soul” in the song “I want to Disappear.”
ii. Marilyn Manson “Antichrist Superstar Album”
Summary
What can we say about this album? I think by now we can easily summarize by saying: Angry lyrics which promote murder, suicide, perverse eroticism and a satanic distaste for Christianity. Why do some Christians believe they can listen to this type of stuff freely without any spiritual consequences? If you are listening to this type of music, please consider your relationship with God and your very own mental health. Marilyn Manson hates everything about the Bible, saying “Saw heaven and hell were lies/when I’m God everyone dies in the song,” ‘The Reflecting God.’ A deeper understanding of his anger towards God is revealed in the song “Deformography” when he says, “I will bury God in my warm spit.” This band is spiritually oppressive, socially irresponsible and downright hateful. We can hear the demons cry out their desire and plan in the song “The Minute of Decay” as Manson sings “I’m on my way down now I’d like to take you with me.”
If you are having trouble believing me and the album summaries I have given above, I recommend getting online (the Internet) and looking up the lyrics to these albums. Just reading over the album lyrics will demonstrate the nature of the spirit behind the artists who are writing these songs. Next, let’s look at what scripture says about the spiritual battle that is taking place here on earth. There is a spiritual battle that is taking place, and the Bible gives us a behind the scenes look at the forces of darkness working to destroy God’s children.
E. Spiritual influences in this world
One day when Yeshua was in the synagogue a man entered in and began to cry out with a loud voice “What have you to do with us Yeshua haNetzaret (Jesus of Nazareth)? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God!” Immediately Yeshua commanded “Be silent, and come out of him!” Having said that then the man cries out … begins convulsing, and the man collapses to the floor. (Mark 1:24-28, Luke 4:33-34)2. The questions arises “Do evil spirits exist?” It appears Yeshua recognized evil spirits that were at work in this man and the evil spirit definitely recognized who Yeshua was as well.
As a believer, I am sure you have heard “the Lord’s prayer” which starts with “Our Father who art in Heaven … Deliver us from evil, …” most of us have heard this prayer and have prayed this prayer too in fact. We pray asking the Lord to deliver us from evil, yet I believe it is important to ask how readily do we recognize evil spirits and their work in this world? Most of us would admit there is “evil” in this world but how readily are you willing to admit there are forces of darkness, evil spirits at work with the sole purpose to destroy our faith in the Lord?
The Bible describes a “battle” in Heaven and on Earth. I would like to take a look at a few places in the Bible where we can see these malicious demons roaming the earth seeking to thwart the will and plan of God. These evil spirits seek to incite men and women to join them in their rebellion against God and take men with them to Hell; furthermore, this also demonstrates their enmity against God’s children. The apostle Paul knew very well that spiritual forces are at work when he wrote:
Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (KJV)
The Tanach is the first place I would like to look with respect to the attempts by HaSatan to destroy the lives of God’s children. Let us first look at the book of Job. Job was a righteous man, he loved God and he loved His children very much.
Job 1:6-12
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. (KJV)
It is clear that HaSatan does roam about upon this earth. By his own words, when the Lord God asked him from whence you came; he states from roaming about upon the earth. Satan then leaves the throne room of God in an attempt to destroy Job’s faith. HaSatan does not just hate God; he hates every manifestation of God’s love in this world. Remember, God’s love is made manifest in His children. HaSatan starts by sowing seeds of division and suspicion amongst believers. In the story of Job, HaSatan killed all of Job’s family except his wife. Job’s wife told him to curse God and die. In anger, a lot of times we blame others, and that blame goes against another person or towards God for the hurt and evil that has occurred. This usually starts with negative and hurtful thoughts, this is how HaSatan works, notice how he is described as the “Accuser” of our brothers and sisters in the Bible (Revelation 12:10)2.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (KJV)
The next example from the Tanach is from the book of Daniel. Daniel is praying, and God sent him a heavenly visitor, a Holy Angel. Upon the Angel’s attempt to reach Daniel to give him the message from God, he says he was hindered by the prince of Persia and needed the help of Michael the archangel to come to his assistance.
Daniel 10:10-20
And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me, said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me. Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. (KJV)
Daniel chapter 10 makes it clear that spiritual warfare is very real. Next let us look at some examples in the gospels in the life of Yeshua. The gospels contain seven very specific examples where Yeshua confronts evil spirits and then delivers men and women from the demonic bondage.
Seven Specific Cases
1. The tormented man we mentioned above (Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:31-37)
2. The demon possessed mute (Matthew 9:32-34)
3. The demoniac (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39)
4. The demon-possessed man who was blind and mute (Matthew 12:22-32; Luke 11:14-23)
5. The Syrophenician woman’s daughter (Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30)
6. The epileptic boy (Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43)
7. The woman with the spirit of infirmity (Luke 13:10-17)
Having all of these examples from scripture, we know for certain spiritual warfare has physical implications. This battle is fought on two levels: (i) In the spiritual realm and (ii) In the physical realm. Both the book of Job and the book of Daniel make it clear that spiritual warfare is a reality. We get a behind the scenes look at the struggle between the forces of God and the forces of Satan. The culminating or climax of this warfare is demonstrated in the Berit Hachadashah (NT) as Yeshua casts out the evil spirits from the men whom they have taken into bondage. HaSatan is the great destroyer; he has never built anything of lasting value. He has ruined everything he has ever touched. Today, HaSatan is more subtle than ever in his attempt to wreck your life if you let him take control of your life. Our only hope is God’s promise, “Greater is he who is in you, than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
F. Music, Rhythm, its physical and spiritual influence
What is the power of music? Music has the power to cause emotions to well up within us. The fact that music can so powerfully affect our emotions is pretty much indisputable. Our physical bodies respond often times with irresistible desire affecting our perceptions and also generating behavioral patterns. In order to analyze the power of music, I would like to look at two modes of reasoning to help us make a decision by what type of music we should be listening too.
There are two modes of reasoning as far as what a person should listen too. The first mode deals with the Rhythm and Beat and what are these notes trying to accomplish. In other words, what is the specific purpose of the musical notes, what are they designed to cause as an effect to the listener? Music is a powerful medium; the tune actually has an emotional effect upon us. Let us look at Hollywood as an example. Television and movies use music to get us into a particular mood the director of the movie wants the watcher to enter into in order to help the watcher identify better with the movie. Music is used to get us to think something scary, sad, or happy is coming into the picture. All of this can occur without someone even saying, or singing any words at all. Fast food commercials use upbeat music to get you in and out with a happy feeling. Doctor’s offices play soothing music for the purpose of calming you down before your visit with the doctor. Now, what emotions are Rock Musicians targeting with their Rhythm and Beat? They are appealing to sex or some sort of autoeroticism to stimulate us in our emotions. The artists are tapping into our natural rhythm and appeal to the carnal man by getting a feel good emotional response. Remember, our spirit wars with the flesh because our flesh is still corruptible in sin which is what modern rock music is attempting to tap into.
The second mode of reasoning is as believers we are separated or at least supposed to be in separation from the world; at least in the sense that we are not behaving, and acting like those who are unsaved. So the question I would ask is, are we supposed to be the same or different from the world? If music is purely and wholly from God then it shouldn’t matter what we sing or listen to as long as it fits God’s standard according to the Bible. What is that standard? Is God glorified when His children sing or listen to music? Glorifying God is one way we are supposed to use music like it says in the following verses:
Ephesians 5:19
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (KJV)
Colossians 3:16
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. (KJV)
When I personally listen to Christ based music, it lifts me up and makes me feel one with God in the spirit. Somehow I get the feeling of God’s grace, mercy, joy and peace flowing through me as I worship God in song. I certainly know the difference between the “goose bump” felling of awe and the “happy feeling” response in worship. But something to note is I never get teary eyed over what God has done for me when I am listening to Christian contemporary music that is Rock-n-Roll oriented.
If you feel a check in your spirit about a certain type of music you can’t simply ignore it and continue on life as usual!
If you feel a check in your spirit about a certain type of music, you really need to think more deeply about what God’s will is on that particular type of music. It just may be God’s Holy Spirit tweaking your spirit because something isn’t quite right.
What I want to do by exploring these issues is to heighten awareness of potential sin. Sin tends to sneak up on us when we simply accept something as “the way things are.” We really need to have the ability to discuss things like Rock Music with an open mind and heart. I do not consider myself a legalistic person; however, I do not believe having freedoms in Yeshua means we can make up our own rules. The Bible does not speak directly about certain forms of music, but we certainly can analyze music, its purpose and deeper meanings and conclude as believers what we should do.
G. Discussion
As believers, we should be spiritually in tuned enough to be able to sense the differences between right and wrong. Jesus used the image of eyesight to convey important spiritual principles. Bad eyesight usually refers to spiritual blindness. But in the example Yeshua used, he talked about the eyes being a window into the heart, mind, and inner being of a person.
Matthew 6:22-23
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! (KJV)
Luke 11:34
The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body also is full of darkness. (KJV)
The window of our eye can become cloudy, dirty, and marred by what we look upon. What we see affects the inner life, heart, and soul which can then blind, and distort our vision. Yeshua taught us that what we see directly affects our spirit.
In the same way, by what we hear affects our spirit having the same spiritual influences blinding us to what is true, good, lovely, pure, and everlasting (Philippians 4:8). The apostle Paul knew this when he told us that we should dwell upon things that are wholesome and righteous.
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (KJV)
This has so much application to my own life. I have personal experience listening to the wrong kind of music which did have a significant effect upon my life. For example from my own life there was significant behavior modification that Rock Music influenced upon me. Years ago, back in the early 1990’s I was going to college and at that time I used to listen to a lot of secular Rock-n-Roll music. I got into Rock-n-Roll music when I got my first radio headset back in the late 1980’s. At the time, both my brother and I were traveling together in the same car to the university and during our travel from home to the university; we would listen to Rock-n-Roll music. As we traveled, we would turn on the Rock-n-Roll music and noticed that the two of us would begin to fight. It was so bad at one point we were throwing punches back and forth as we drove the car. Being brothers we began to really hurt each other and then one of us decided to turn the station and the channel hit a local Christian radio station. When the music from the radio station began to play, I stopped feeling angry and my brother and I stopped fighting. But there was a problem; both of us were addicted to the Rock-n-Roll music so we would switch back and forth between secular Rock-n-Roll music and the Christian radio station. As we did this, when the station was switched to Rock-n-Roll, we would begin to fight, angrily shout foul words towards each other, and when we flipped the channel back, we stopped. After a while of doing this we both began to recognize the pattern that was occurring. This pattern pointed towards the direct influence Rock-n-Roll music had upon our emotions and our attitude towards each other by tapping into the carnal man. Having talked about this, we eventually decided to completely stop listening to secular Rock-n-Roll music and leave the channel upon the Christian radio station. Since them we did not fight nearly as much, and today, we do not fight at all.
The reality of music’s effects upon our lives is very real; I have personally experienced this in my own life. HaSatan was trying to tear my brother and I apart and destroy our relationship and I praise God that today we have a wonderful and very close relationship which was not destroyed by HaSatan’s plans. You know at first, I did not want to accept the truth concerning the effects of music and my own behavior. It was my brother that pressed the issue, and I finally recognized the problem. God sometimes teaches us His truths by showing in our lives where we are making a mistake. You may be asking what is truth, or what does truth mean in relation to music. I have to say getting a solid grasp of a biblical world view is foundational to our discerning the truth and knowing differences between right and wrong, even to determining what music we should be listening too.
So, what does truth mean? One of the problems today is the relativistic nature of truth in the minds of young adults today. Many people do not believe absolute truth exists, believing in moral relativism with no absolute standard. There is such confusion about what truth really is which is why our young people today have so much trouble deciding upon what type of music is ok to listen too. If we do not have an absolute standard for truth and if our standard does not come from God, then we are in really big trouble as believers. The meaning of truth plays an important role in our life both spiritually speaking and physically speaking.
When I discussed critical thinking earlier in this article, I brainstormed some questions and then created an outline to address the issue of Rock-n-Roll music.
Outline
1. Examine scripture concerning the “carnal man”
2. Review some selected articles from Heavy metal Rock-n-Roll
3. Examine biblical references to the spiritual influences in this world.
4. Music, Rhythm, Beat, patterns with respect to physical and spiritual stimulation.
I chose to examine what the Bible says about the carnal man, that person we were before we placed our faith in Yeshua. To summarize, the Bible says the carnal man does not glorify God, murders in real life and in his mind, is malicious, covetous, immoral, unmerciful, idolatrous, and a drunkard. I then chose to summarize a few rock bands Slipknot, Korn, and Marilyn Manson. Their music glorifies and idolizes these wicked practices of the world. When we expose ourselves, our minds, our hearts and our spirit glorifying the wickedness of the world, we are putting more of the world inside of our inner being just like the light of the eye parable Yeshua gave in scripture. Today most people believe there is no universal standard for right and wrong which is exactly what Rock-n-Roll portrays in their music. By exposing ourselves we are allowing the world to infiltrate our minds, and we can see this, by how much the culture has infiltrated the church today.
Next, we examined the biblical references to the spiritual influences in this world. Clearly, there are spiritual forces at work which God is trying to show us, such as in the story of Job; HaSatan wanted to destroy his family, his life, and eventually his faith. We can see from scripture how demons/evil spirits such as the “prince of Persia,” in Daniel chapter 10, is at work attempting to keep our prayers from getting answered. God sends out His answer to our prayers, and the evil one is trying to stop God’s messengers from delivering the message. The apostle Paul said we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against the principalities and powers of this present age. He is referring to demons, fallen angels, and evil spirits, all of these terms are one in the same just different words to describe the nature of the beings set out to destroy our lives and faith in Yeshua. As I reviewed the music, we can clearly see how these demons are speaking out boldly in Slipknot’s music saying “I wana burn your soul” in the song “The Virus of Life” and literally angrily insisting on being worshiped and screams “the only thing I ever really loved was hurting you” in the song “The Nameless” on their Vol. 3 (The Subliminal Verses) Album. HaSatan is the thief, and he is working to kill your faith, steal your joy and peace and destroy your life while trying to make God look like the bad guy.
John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (KJV)
Finally, we looked at music its rhythm and beat patterns and how it affects us both physically and spiritually. We talked about two modes of thought which correspond to the physical and spiritual aspects of our life. The first mode of thought dealt with the emotional influence on our bodies. This is demonstrated in how television and movies use sounds and music to influence us in order to help draw us into the action of the movie. The second mode dealt with the spiritual aspect and our being separated from the world. Does the music bring glory to God or not? The rhythm beat and tempo of music is designed to open us up and draw us in and then the message of the song is placed within our soul and spirit. This is the great danger of listening to Rock-n-Roll, the tunes are designed to tap into the carnal man (so we open up physically enabling our spirits to receive the messages present) and the message is designed to be implanted and written upon our consciousness. This is part of how the culture is being written upon the hearts and minds of our young people today. And we can see its effects in the beliefs on the issue of absolute truth. A survey was performed by “Focus on the Family” in the church on the subject of absolute truth. The response was only 1/10th of the young people in our churches really believe there is such a thing as absolute truth.
Scripture says to “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:62. This can also be applied to ourselves as young adults and even older adults. How are you training up yourself? Are you exposing yourself to unholy, unrighteous, ungodly things? Doing so is the process of training yourself up because when one begins to do so they begin to form thought patterns and physical addictions which are very difficult to break once you are older. This really depends upon how long we keep doing the things which are leading and moving us into bondage behavior.
H. Conclusions
Today’s “Rock Music” that is not Christ centered has been a topic of concern of mine for many years now and I have thought extensively on this topic. I have watched as Christians today accept mainstream secular Rock-n-Roll without a thought of the spiritual consequences which may result from listening to Rock Music. Within the world of Rock-n-Roll, and specifically in heavy metal bands, musicians are idolized. These bands promote immorality, Satanism, suicide, sadomasochism, masochistic behavior, drug abuse, obscene language, and even direct blasphemy of God and His Holy name.
Entertainment is a powerful influence upon our culture especially Rock-n-Roll music. Music can be used for both good and evil and we need essential tools that will enable us to understand and to navigate the dangers of the world we live in. Yeshua warned us about the eyes, and what we look upon directly affects our thought life, the imagination of our heart which is the core, center, inner being of who we are. In the same way music has the effect to open our heart and mind to the lyrics and unholy mentality of what HaSatan wants to program into our minds.
If you are bound by HaSatan in Rock-n-Roll music and would like to be set free there is a way to be free. That freedom is found in Yeshua. We have power in the name of Yeshua (John1:12, 1Cor 5:4). In order to be set free, a believer must rid themselves of the naïve and unscriptural notion that believers cannot be oppressed by HaSatan. Any and all involvement in Rock-n-Roll music must be stopped. Modern day Rock-n-Roll music borders upon the occult, this can be seen from the summary review which is why it is important to stop listening to the music. Then take the following steps:
Deliverance
1. Confession of faith in Yeshua
Even as a believer, you can confess Yeshua and your faith in him again and again if you want too. One needs to have a sincere commitment to Yeshua asking him into your heart to be Lord of your life. I personally believe this is a life long process as God teaches us and as we grow closer to the Lord we renew our vows and our faith in the savior Yeshua.
2. Confession of the sin of listening to Rock-n-Roll Music
All involvement of disobedience to God needs to be confessed, even the sin of listening and exposing yourself to the ungodly Rock-n-Roll music. The specific sin should be vocalized, confessing as sin and asking forgiveness in the name of Yeshua Hamoshiach (Jesus the Messiah). It is a good idea to ask for forgiveness of all sin which you may have forgotten about.
3. Renunciation of HaSatan and command to depart in the name of Yeshua Hamoshiach (Jesus the Messiah).
This is not a prayer or a request; this is something that we have direct authority in the name of Yeshua Hamoshiach (Jesus the Messiah) as children of God. By faith renounce HaSatan and all his work in your life and command him to depart in the name of Yeshua Hamoshiach (Jesus the Messiah).
A lot of things have crept into our beliefs especially in the area of faith and prayer. I have heard people claim, “I will say it, and claim it until it is so.” This to me is a new age philosophy. We do not say and wait for it to be so as believers, WE KNOW IT TO BE SO ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF GOD! And we say it, and we claim it because we know it is so, it is done, and that is biblical faith. I know I am healed because scripture says so. I know I am delivered because I have power in the name of Yeshua. We don’t have to wait on things which we know are certain according to the word of God.
In conclusion, there is one more thing in understanding the dangers of listening to Rock-n-Roll music. Listening to this music plants deep within our consciousness and inner being rebellion towards God. This rebellion leads to one thing, a lack of relationship. You know, when we have a lack of relationship with God, we become more insecure, more distant, more self-centered, and less effective in our relationships with others. I feel lack of relationship with God is such a problem today that it is one of the things which have caused the average believer to become weak in all areas of their faith. In order to restore our relationship with God realize He loves you and is waiting for you to return to Him in faith.
So, think on Colossians 2:82, we know the truth according to the scriptures, but we also live in a world which is bombarding us with lies. You can be absolutely set free from the bondage of sin by faith in Yeshua and His shed blood. Praise God for such a wonderful salvation.
Colossians 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (KJV)
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הללויה לאדוננו מורנו ורבינו ישוע מלך המשיח לעולם ועד:
Hallelujah for our Lord, our Teacher, our Rabbi,
“Yeshua” King Messiah for ever and ever
