Why the Music You Listen To Matters
Matthew BellMusic is a powerful force. It has the ability to inspire, uplift, and even shape the way we think and feel. The music we listen to can play a significant role in our spiritual journey. Whether we realize it or not, the songs we hear influence our thoughts, attitudes, and actions, making it essential to be intentional about our music choices.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why the music you listen to is important as a Christian, how it aligns with biblical principles, and practical steps you can take to ensure your music choices reflect your faith and values.
Music Affects Your Mind and Spirit
The Bible speaks about the profound impact that our thoughts have on our lives. Proverbs 23:7 tells us, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." What we listen to has a direct impact on our minds, which in turn shapes our attitudes, decisions, and behaviors. Music is no exception. It has a unique way of influencing our emotions and thought patterns, often without us even realizing it.
When we fill our minds with music that glorifies God and reflects biblical truths, we are more likely to experience peace, joy, and spiritual growth. On the other hand, listening to music with harmful or sinful messages can distort our thinking and lead us away from God’s will.
Philippians 4:8 encourages us to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. If the music we listen to doesn’t align with these values, it can negatively affect our spiritual walk.
Music Can Shape Your Beliefs and Values
The music industry often promotes messages that conflict with Christian values. Many popular songs glorify materialism, pride, lust, and rebellion—things that the Bible warns us to avoid. When we constantly expose ourselves to music with ungodly messages, it can subtly begin to shape our beliefs and values in ways that pull us away from Christ.
Romans 12:2 advises us, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." One way to avoid conforming to the world is by being mindful of the music we listen to. If we’re constantly feeding our minds with worldly ideas and messages that contradict our faith, it becomes difficult to maintain a Christ-centered mindset.
Instead, we should choose music that encourages us to live in alignment with God’s Word. Songs that praise God, express gratitude, and remind us of biblical truths can strengthen our faith and help us stay focused on Him.
Worship Music Brings Us Closer to God
One of the most powerful aspects of music is its ability to lead us into worship. The Bible is full of examples where music is used as a tool to worship and glorify God. King David, known for his psalms and musical talent, frequently used music to praise God and draw closer to Him. Psalm 100:2 says, "Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs."
Listening to worship music allows us to focus on God’s goodness and faithfulness. It helps us set our hearts and minds on things above (Colossians 3:2) and provides an avenue for us to express our love and devotion to God. Whether we’re singing along to a worship song in church or listening to Christian music in the car, worship music can lead us into God’s presence and strengthen our relationship with Him.
Music Can Impact Your Mood and Attitude
Have you ever noticed how certain songs can change your mood instantly? Music has a powerful effect on our emotions. Upbeat songs can make us feel joyful and energized, while slow, melancholic tunes can bring us down. As Christians, we are called to maintain a spirit of joy and peace, regardless of our circumstances (Philippians 4:4-7). The music we listen to can either support this goal or hinder it.
Listening to positive, uplifting music—especially Christian music—can help cultivate a joyful and thankful heart. Music that reflects the beauty and goodness of God encourages us to focus on His promises rather than our problems. In contrast, music with negative or angry messages can foster feelings of discouragement, resentment, or anxiety, which is not conducive to the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts (Colossians 3:15).
Guarding Your Heart with Music Choices
Proverbs 4:23 advises us, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Our hearts and minds are precious, and we need to be careful about what we allow to enter them. Music is one of the gateways to our heart. The lyrics, beats, and messages of the songs we listen to can either build us up spiritually or pull us down.
Choosing music that aligns with biblical values is one way to guard your heart. This doesn’t mean that Christians should only listen to worship music—there’s a wide variety of music out there that can be wholesome and encouraging. However, it’s essential to discern whether the music you’re listening to aligns with your faith. Ask yourself:
- Does this song glorify God or glorify sin?
- Does it encourage me to think about things that are pure, lovely, and admirable (Philippians 4:8)?
- Does it draw me closer to God or further away from Him?
By asking these questions, you can make intentional choices that protect your heart and keep you focused on Christ.
Practical Tips for Choosing God-Honoring Music
Here are a few practical ways you can ensure that the music you listen to aligns with your Christian faith:
Create a Playlist of Christian Music: There are so many talented Christian artists across different genres. Whether you enjoy contemporary worship, gospel, Christian rock, or even Christian rap, there are songs that glorify God and align with biblical values. Build a playlist of songs that encourage your faith and inspire you to keep your focus on God.
Read the Lyrics: Before diving into a new song or artist, take a moment to read the lyrics. Do they reflect a godly perspective, or do they promote messages that conflict with your faith? If the lyrics are promoting sinful behavior or attitudes, it may be best to skip the song.
Pray for Discernment: Ask God to give you wisdom and discernment when choosing music. He knows your heart and the impact that music can have on your spiritual life. Pray that the Holy Spirit would guide you in making choices that honor Him.
Balance Your Playlist: If you enjoy listening to secular music, try to balance your playlist with songs that lift up God and promote positive messages. Even if a song isn’t explicitly Christian, ensure that it aligns with your values and doesn’t glorify sinful behavior.
Conclusion: Music Is a Powerful Tool for Your Spiritual Life
The music we listen to matters, especially as Christians. It has the power to influence our minds, shape our beliefs, and affect our mood. By choosing music that honors God and aligns with His Word, we can protect our hearts, draw closer to Him, and live out our faith more fully.
Whether you’re listening to worship songs that bring you into God’s presence or enjoying a positive, uplifting tune that encourages you, the right music can strengthen your walk with Christ. Let’s be intentional about our music choices, knowing that what we listen to plays a role in shaping our spiritual lives. After all, the Bible encourages us to sing and make music from our hearts to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19), and that’s a melody worth embracing.
