Urban Reformation

This week we begin and end with Chapter three which discusses God, My Heart & Music.  I must confess at the onset of this chapter it will be some that will appeal to some and to others it may not have the same affect.  For some “Music” is a hold on their life and their affections and for others it’s not.

I remember when I was much younger, not so much now,  always being sensitive to music.  I remember when I was young my parents took me to different churches, and I returned from a Christian summer camp one year I believe I was in the sixth or seventh grade and my parents had purchased me the latest Michael Jackson tape. I not being a Christian yet, however just coming from a Christian camp where things like this were worldly music was condemned I felt it necessary to convey my disgust to my parents for their purchase of such a worldly musical piece.  What had effectively happened is that a little Music pharisee was molded from those experiences before I understood the gospel, often knowing the right answer and yet not compelled toward it by my heart from truly being born again, but being more compelled by my pride.  This chapter is anything but that…. It is again assuming that you are a Christian, that you love Christ with your whole heart, and that the purpose of being ware or being aware of our music habits is to be proactive against  the schemes of the devil has this is one of many ways Satan lures men away by the use of their heart for music.

We have learned through the process of reading the first two chapters that worldliness is when our heart’s affections attach to something other than God or what glorifies God and attempts to carve out an idol of what was intended for God’s Glory, worshiping the creation of man over the creator God.   Always must we be careful draw lines in the sand and put up expectation of people to meet these lines, this is where more pharisee’s are born, but it was some time later when I realized after I had truly become saved how much music play an heavy influence in my life.

This chapter specifically probably was the least impactful for me personally. It wasn’t for lack of trying however, and if you have a heart that listens to a lot of music this will have the same affect that the chapter on media had on me originally, it will prick your heart.  It’s a bold chapter beginning with understanding what the purpose of Music is and how often Music fits into the manifestation of Christ through music and culture representing countless forms of Music which are a demonstration of God’s immense and divine variety in both people and culture.

However even with these expressions of culture men have perverted the truth and one of the first sections say, ” It’s just music, or is it?”  In this section he describes not that Music in itself is evil in the slightest but how much it affects our emotions and our hearts.

Then he gets into the bold pricking of heart by the word of God.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. – Pillipians 4:8

Then follows the next quote from page 74.

These biblical standards instantly bring into question much of the music that’s currently popular and available to us.  When I don’t even consider ungodly lyrical content in the songs I listen to, I’m allowing music to seduce me.

He then goes on to speak boldly and plainly that the effects of ignorance is compromise.  This is a profound section which challenges the every day listener of casual listening on secular venues via the radio or download to examine themselves to see if they truly are listening for what would honor and glorify God, or what would dishonor or shame God.

So the question is do we play too close to the edge, are we taking in worldly music and its lyrics on accident not realizing that just like all other forms of media these things grasp and grab the heart stealing away the use of God’s tool for rejoicing  and singing praises to God?

I pray we guard our hearts from these snares, and although this isn’t one that captures me now much, I pray that it’s beneficial for so many!!!

Popularity: 36% [?]