Changed360

”Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23 I remember a time in my life, particularly when I wasn’t following Christ that I put little thought into the music I listened too. I love music and always liked a diverse variety of genres. Some of it was explicit rap music some of it was country music, classic country, alternative rock, and even some oldies. I’m willing to say that almost none of it was honoring or pleasing to God. I was in my early twenties when God convicted me of the music I was listening to. I was seeking after him, reading my Bible, and praying. He was working in me. I remember sharing my conviction with my husband. He honored what God had laid on my heart and agreed that I and he as well should be more mindful of what we listen to. That’s how it began for me. The Holy Spirit brought conviction on my heart and God so lovingly opened my eyes to see that it matters what I listen to. At first I admit I didn’t always enjoy the Christian music I was listening to, but whatever we feed grows and God changed my preferences in time. And even if He hadn’t I was honoring Him with what I listen to and that is more important than feeding my flesh. Proverbs tells us that we should, above all else, guard our hearts. Christian friends, it matters what we listen to, this is apart of guarding our hearts. Just because music isn’t explicit doesn’t mean that it is honoring to God. As a child I remember hearing country music (which seems to have some sort of innocent connotation in our culture) that talked about sex outside of marriage, drunkenness, etc. I can remember the glamorization of some of these things that music influenced in my mind as a young girl. Music has an affect on you, undoubtedly. Philippians 4:8 tells us “Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things. What lyrics are you meditating upon? What are you allowing into your heart? It matters. A question I’ve heard JP Pokluda ask is “are you entertained by the things that Christ died for?” What a good question to ask ourselves. Are we entertained by sin? Friend, God has called us to be new creations in him, put away the old things, allow him to work in you! I don’t say these things to condemn, truly. But to loving tell you honoring and pleasing God with what we listen to is so much better than feeding our flesh! Whatever we give up in honor of God will not be in vain. Sanctification is something we must not deny. Again, I don’t write these things to shame anyone or condemn but truly to loving say God is so much better than anything we deny ourselves for the purpose of honoring Him! Grow in Grace! God loves you!

– Faith