The Lure of Music:Take Away Everything In Me That Displeases You

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future”
(Jeremiah 29:11)

Most of us who have decided to give our life to God can attest to one or more things that we have struggled to let go of during our initial conversion stage. For me, that thing was secular music. Prior to giving my life to Christ, I listened to secular music if I was happy or sad. I listened to music if I needed a boost of energy to get my day going. I listened to music when I worked out. I listened to music because I was in love. I also used music to help me overcome disappointment. At almost every stage of my life, there was a song that meant something to me. 

So immediately after getting baptized into the Adventist faith, although it was difficult, music was the first thing I gave up. I replaced my love for secular music with Christian music. It was important that I replace that form of entertainment because it invoked feelings and memories that were not in line with God’s plans for my life. But the process wasn’t easy. Everywhere I went: the grocery story, the park, in a taxi, in a friend’s car, the mall, just about everywhere, I would hear a song that would take me down “memory lane.” I will say not all of the memories were bad, but some memories were unwanted. As time passed, ignoring secular music became easier and my desire for secular songs slowly disappeared. They no longer unearthed the old emotions they once did. Their significance was replaced with Christ’s love for me through spiritually-uplifting songs.

The devil seizes every opportunity to infiltrate our lives through our feelings and emotions”
(Ephesians 4:26). 

Similarly, after many years of not watching any entertainment shows, a few months ago, I found myself watching the X Factor UK because a Jamaican (Dalton Harris) was singing. I was proud of him and I was proud to be Jamaican. Slowly, I found myself searching through YouTube for the next best act, sometimes watching for hours with my husband or by myself once the children were asleep. Watching the performances every weekend became our date night get away. We were excited and looked forward to seeing the performances every week, especially when Dalton was performing. But one particular Saturday night as I sat in our living room waiting for my husband to begin our newly established date night, he never showed up, because he fell asleep putting Josiah (our five-year-old) to bed. However, instead of also going to bed, I decided to watch the program by myself. As I sat there for about an hour or two scrolling through YouTube and listening to every possible song I could I find, I found myself reliving my past through the stories of the contestants.

I convinced myself that I had a lot in common with the contestants. Like most of them, for many years I have wanted to write and be a motivational speaker, but I never pursued my dreams because of fear, self-doubt or because I didn’t think that I could write or speak well enough, and of course because of the occasional “nay-sayers.” Whatever these contestants’ story was, it became mine. So, I kept watching and listening. I wanted to hear more of their stories. I was intrigued by their struggles, their losses, their pain, self-doubt, self-inflicted discouragement, and their determination and drive to follow their dreams. I was excited for them, excited to watch them live out their dreams in front of the world. I was excited to see them overcome their fears, and to learn how they quieted the voices that held them back for so long.

“Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation].”
(1 Corinthians 10:12)

I let my guard down and I forgot to guard the avenues of my heart. (Proverbs 4:2) I forgot to watch and pray so that I don’t fall into temptation as I was warned about in Matthew 26:41. I forgot, but the devil didn’t forget. He was watching and waiting for the moment those stories became mine. He knew I would be overcome with various kinds of emotions as I watched, and at that very moment he stepped in.

“You can’t defeat a demon you like playing with.”

Before long, unwanted and unsolicited thoughts began popping up in my head. Thoughts and desires I thought were long gone resurfaced. I began justifying my emotions and thoughts. I told myself it’s natural to feel the way I did. Weeks passed and I was still watching. I began to listen when I needed a boost to get me through a rough day. I began listening when I needed inspiration to write. I began listening when I wanted to experience a sense of love and belonging. It worked for a moment because it was familiar territory. Do you see where I am going? I thought I was past that. I thought I was over that. Nevertheless, there was a battle raging inside me.

“My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak.”
(Matthew 26:41)

One night as I sat on my bed thinking about watching another re-run of the same songs, I heard the still small voice of God say, “the enemy is using the life stories and struggles of those young men and women to draw you back into your past life.” The life I thought I had overcome was staring me in the face once again. The life I thought I was strong enough to entertain was crippling my futile efforts. I quickly realized how swiftly the enemy works to deceive us and cause us to lose the battle we are vigilantly fighting. My flesh was truly weak and little did I know it!

The tricks of the devil include his cunning ability to find openings through
our moods and emotions.

In those few short weeks (which may seem like a lifetime for the devil) of listening and watching, my thoughts and conversations became empty and vain. I wanted to know if all my friends and family were watching the show. Before long, my interest in the show and the life of the contestants began to take time away from that which should have been devoted to God and praying. My mind was warped by my constant desire for and gratification from listening to those secular songs.

Please note, I am not saying this genre of music is bad. I know all music has its place and can be a great source of encouragement for people at different stages of their lives, but we also have a solemn responsibility: to make the Word of God the counsel and guide of our hearts. Secular music, at least to me, excites, but does not impart the strength and courage which I need and can find only at the feet of God. Secular music doesn’t give me Heavenly strength to fight off the powerful temptations or the snares of the devil. As a matter of fact, it does just the opposite. But because of my naivete, I gave the “great mastermind” and the enemy of my soul a gateway back to my heart. I know that secular music doesn’t have the same effect on everyone and it would be silly of me to think that, but I knew the effect it had on me and I still decided to entertain it.

He is a skillful charmer, luring us into sin.

There is a saying that “Someone who struggled with alcoholism shouldn’t witness in a bar.” This can be applied to everything we do in life. Friends, all I am saying is, be mindful of your struggles or areas of weakness. Keep them ever before you so that when the devil, the master market executer of deception, comes to you with the beautifully wrapped package-the sin(s) that so easily beset(s) you, you are able to identify sin for what it really is. Yes, I know and understand that everyone is in a different place in his or her spiritual journey, and what might affect one person may not affect another person. But remember, what might seem innocent, fun, or even mere entertainment can be detrimental to your spiritual journey.

Satan knows what senses to excite to animate, engross, and charm the mind
so that Christ is not desired.

Jesus warned us to be careful. He knew that the devil packages sin in neat, attractive bundles (Hebrews 3:12,13). He knows how to package sin so that it looks appealing and harmless. As the Bible says, “the serpent was the most subtle (craftiest) of all of the beasts of the field (Genesis 3:1). This sometimes catches us off guard. This is part of his deceptive ability. He will present sin to us in a way that is pleasing to our senses.  In my case, the devil used people with similar backgrounds and childhood experiences to distract me and temporarily subvert my spiritual longing for the things of God.

As followers of Christ we are called to take a higher stand and make the word of God our counsel and guide. Seeking Secular music, instead of holiness, diverts our minds to carnal things. So, my question is: when we deliberately choose to go outside the will of God, how can we ensure we don’t make the same mistake again?

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Eph. 6:10-13)

Be encouraged by the words of this song which reminds me of what a life committed to Christ will lead you to pray each moment of your life as you seek to live the
abundant and victorious life our Savior died to give us.

I HAVE NO RIGHTS TO THIS SONG: