Music and the Christian Life

I enjoy music, and I’m sure you do, too. Music has always been part of my life. To be sure, not in the sense that I play a musical instrument or sing my heart out like Adele, but that I enjoy listening to music. From my junior high years to college, the main way I listened to music was in golf. Music was my outlet to focus while I practiced, and it gave me motivation to keep going when I felt like quitting.

And then I got born again. Music remained, but its purpose changed.

Here’s a question for you, believer: Have you ever considered the significance music plays in your walk with Jesus? What does the Bible say about it? How can it help you learn to trust Jesus more?

For me, music resets my soul when I am weary. It provides a solace to my sin-stricken heart. It helps me praise God in His goodness.

Christian, if you haven’t done so, learn to love music. Understand the significance it plays in your walk with Jesus. I’m not just talking about music during Sunday service, but the music you’re listening to in the car or somewhere else.

So what ways can music help you in your Christian life? How can the songs you listen to assist as you walk with the Lord?

Doctrine. Much of Christian contemporary music today is lacking in the doctrine department. It’s superficial, repetitive, and it all sounds the same. Please don’t get me wrong, I do enjoy some of it, but most of it is theologically shallow. Christians need to listen to Christian music that has clear doctrine in it.

Part of the problem is even if there is sound doctrine, then the creativity is sacrificed. So you either have good music but bad theology or good theology but bad music.

Let me introduce you to two artists. One could kind of fit into the contemporary Christian mold and the other is rap. (Yes . . . I love rap/hip-hop).

Citizens (formerly Citizens & Saints) have many wonderful songs that are not only creative and simply good music, but are theologically sound and rich. Some of their latest songs—“Hold Him High” and “Hidden”—are beautiful and will make you praise the Lord.

If you’re into rap music, you should definitely listen to Beautiful Euology. They haven’t released music in awhile, but they are the perfect balance between good music and good theology. Their song “Omnipotent”—featuring King’s Kaleidoscope’s Chad Gardner—is a masterpiece of music.

The music you listen to as a Christian needs to be rich with doctrine and point you to Christ. To be sure, not everything has to talk specifically about the atonement of Christ (we can leave that to Shai Linne), but it needs to magnify Jesus.

Devotion. Music ought to make you more devoted to God. It should stir your emotions and bring you closer to the Lord. That’s why it’s so important to listen to Christian music that is, well, Christian. Listen to music that sings Christian doctrine so that you commune more with God through it.

When the song is rich with doctrine, it awakens our heart to God and we experience sweet communion with Him. Our devotion to the Lord increases all the more when we listen to music that glorifies His name.

Belonging. There’s nothing much better than singing to the Lord amongst fellow church members. It brings a sense of family, of love, of belonging. Recently my church sang “All-Sufficient Merit” and it was absolutely glorious not only singing the lyrics but hearing everyone else sing in harmony. It was beautiful.

Encouragement. I can’t tell you how many times the Lord has encouraged me in my walk with Him just by the music I choose to listen to. Again, this is why we should be intentional about listening to God-honoring music. Listening to songs that reflect biblically the character of Jesus and the glory of God do us a great service.

So, friend, be cognizant of the music you listen to. And be even more aware of what Christian music you listen to. There’s a lot of “Christian” music that isn’t so biblical. Do your research.

For your reference, below is a list of artists/bands that I believe are faithful and would encourage you in your walk with the Lord.

Citizens

Shane and Shane

Kings Kaleidoscope

CityAlight

Shai Linne

We Are Messengers

Sovereign Grace Music

Matt Boswell

Andrew Peterson

Beautiful Euology

Lecrae