2 replies to this topic

[Thinker]

If anything in our lives is underestimated as to its impact, music would have to be at the very top of the list. There are so many ways that music impacts us that it would take a huge amount of time to consider them all. Try to imagine the elimination of all music from your experience. Try to grasp the influence it has throughout your day, most every day for most of us. How does it affect us, even way in the background? Music can be inspiring, moving, soothing, joyous, motivating. It can be discordant, depressing, decadent, demeaning and demanding. It is a wonderful way to honor and worship God. It is a gift that Satan has prostituted, far too effectively, to his own ends. It can be a tool to bless mankind or a weapon to demoralize and destroy human beings. We hope, God willing, to spend two or three days highlighting some of the astonishing roles that music plays in our human experience. I think the multiplicity of influences brought to bear on us, some good and some sneaky and some just plain bad, will surprise most readers. Won't you stay with us for this surprising look at some of the less obvious ways music makes a difference in our lives? Little wonder that a vast amount of Scripture deals with music. We are even told in Colossians 3:16-17 to, "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. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him." Music is the context for internalizing Scripture, teaching, admonishing, heartfelt singing and doing all to the glory of God. Selah! One of the most important choices that we can make in our whole lives is if we'll allow the music in our lives to please the enemy or if we'll use it to bring glory to God! Thinker (Ron)

[Julie Daube]

Thanks for starting such an interesting and engaging thread, Thinker! I absolutely love music and consider it one of God's greatest gifts to mankind. I can't imagine life without it.

It's interesting that you brought up the way Satan has prostituted this gift; some Bible scholars believe that before he rebelled against God, Lucifer was probably heaven's music/worship leader (because he is pictured in the Book of Ezekiel as being covered with bells and musical instruments before he rebelled).

In my own life, I have found that even many secular songs help me to connect with God and to contemplate His eternal truths. One example that comes to mind is the song "Into the West," which plays during the end credits of the third installment of the LOTR series, "Return of the King." I can never listen to that song without shedding some tears.

Here it is on youtoube:

Lyrics:

Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You have come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across a distant shore

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping

What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
All Souls pass

Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say
We have come now to the end
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping

Chorus

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West

[Thinker]

Julie, Thanks for your sharing. I love music too. I love to try and sing. I'm glad God loves the crow as well as the nightengale. Music and beauty are two wonderful gifts of God. No wonder Satan wants to pervert and distort. The part to be aware of is that Satan is both subtle and clever in his ways. By finding ways to sneak things by our Biblically developed discernment, he makes progress against us being and doing what God wants. He can accomplish much by going directly to our emotions. Our role is to let Godly Discernment, strengthened by Scriptural principles put a blockade around our emotions. We have Scripture to filter out direct assaults on our feelings. Act on these principles. Emotions are wonderful, just don't let them drive. Hope you can drop by tomorrow. Blessings! Thinker (Ron)