The DeGRAFF FREE WILL BAPTIST CHURCH
State Route 235/ 100 East Miami Street
DeGraff, Ohio 43318
Phone: (937) 585-4463
James R. Roby, Pastor
"Music In The Church"
by Pastor James R. Roby
"And be not conformed to this world"
(Romans 12:2).
It is of vital importance that we, as a church, choose the right kind of music for our worship services! I am convinced that one of the greatest errors that threatens the modern-day church is the belief that music is neutral, and that we can use music to reach the lost. Rick Warren, a major proponent of using rock music in the church services, says, "God loves all kinds of music...God loves variety." This is utter foolishness, and plays right into the hands of the devil. Satan has already destroyed the modernist denominational churches, and is now concentrating on the small remnant of churches who are still standing for the truth. He desires to corrupt them because he knows that God will not bless a church that is corrupt and defiled. Sadly, many that were once Bible-believing churches are falling for his lie, hook, line and sinker! It should come as no surprise that the devil would attempt to use music in this sinful effort. He knows that music wields a great influence over the thinking and behavior of people. In fact, the Bible indicates that, before his fall, Lucifer (Satan) was very much into music and worship himself.(Ezekiel 28:13, note "pipes" and "tabrets"). The contemporary worship gurus claim that rock and roll music is a ‘universal’ language, and should replace, as rapidly as possible, the old style of worship with hymns and gospel songs. Instead of being a blessing to the saved, religious rock music APPEALS TO THE FLESHLY LUSTS OF LOST MEN. People love religion that is flesh- centered! The carnal appeal of religious rock and roll is drawing unsaved people into many churches that were once on fire for God. As is evident in movements like Promise Keepers, this music is indeed tearing down walls of Bible Truth and uniting Charismatics, Catholics, Lutherans, Mormons, Baptists, etc. This would have been totally impossible a decade ago. The discarding of the most basic and vital truths of scripture is evident as we see church members hop from church-to-church with no concern for what is believed. The only thing guiding their decision is THE MUSIC! The truth is, this new ‘universal language’ of religious rock music is playing a major role in bringing together the One World Church of the Antichrist! (Revelation 17 & 18). God’s people are firmly commanded, "Be NOT deceived" (Galations 6:7). If God commands us not to be deceived...that must mean we don’t HAVE to be deceived! It also means we HAD BETTER NOT be deceived! Sadly, most churches just choose the style of music they use based upon what they like. There is a problem with this line of thinking, however. Isn’t our worship supposed to be directed towards God? Shouldn’t He be the One that we are desiring to please, and not ourselves? What did God mean when He told us "Be not conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2)? There are some pretty serious issues that need to be dealt with.
1) IS MUSIC NEUTRAL? The proponents of religious rock music say that all music is neutral, and that it is only the lyrics that matter. Now, the lyrics definitely DO matter! But is the music, itself, neutral? Anyone with half a brain knows that music influences us. If you put a CD in your car tape player, and play fast music...chances are you will end up speeding. Music can enhance a romantic mood, a scary mood, a funny situation. Advertisers and media people have known this for years! Now, here’s the point. Rock music does something to our flesh. It is evident that...even without lyrics...it promotes immorality, rebellion, sinful sexual practices, drug use, and even satanism. This cannot be denied by anyone who has observed Rock and Roll’s influence over the years. You might be thinking, ‘Yes, but that’s just secular Rock and Roll. What about the religious counterpart?" If you go to a so- called Contemporary "Christian" Concert, you will see the same dancing, moshing, pot smoking, sexual gyrating, etc. that you see at a secular Rock Concert. You will find the same immorality and lack of commitment to God among the "stars" of Christian rock and roll as you do with secular rock "stars." This should tell us something. Rock and Roll music was born in the filthy, back- street dives, bars, and slime-pits of the 1950’s. It was (and is) synonymous with ungodly, immoral and lewd behavior. "Christian" rock music is merely an attempt to copy the world and to fit in with the ungodly crowd. It certainly has NO PLACE in a Bible-believing church! Does the Bible have anything to say about whether music is neutral? Does it, in itself, have any power?
Look at these verses of scripture: 1 Samuel 16:14-23. When an evil spirit troubled and oppressed Saul, he called upon God’s musician, David to come and play his harp. There is no indication from this text that there was any singing whatsoever, just anointed playing of godly music! As David strummed his harp, Saul was refreshed and the evil spirit was driven away. Truly, this music WAS NOT NEUTRAL! 2 Chronicles 5:13-14. The people gathered in the House of God, and at the sound of godly worship music, the glory of God filled the assembly to the point where the people couldn’t even stand. Neutral? No. 1 Corinthians 14:7-8. This passage teaches that certain musical sounds, without lyrics, have meaning and certainly are NOT neutral. The Rock and Roll beat drives and over-rides the entire musical selection. It has its origins in the voodoo beats of ancient Africa and South America. It is demonic in its origin, and cannot glorify God. That which is fleshly and that which is spiritual are highly incompatible. "Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils" (1 Corinthians 10:21). "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (the world)." (Matthew 6:24).
2)TRUE, BIBLICAL WORSHIP IS DIRECTED TO THE LORD, NOT TO THE WORLD OR THE FLESH. Sadly, the Contemporary worship crowd freely admits that its music is designed to appeal to the lost and draw them to church. This is totally opposite what the Bible teaches. Look at these verses...
"...singing and making melody in your heart TO THE LORD" (Ephesians 5:19). ",,,singing with grace in your hearts TO THE LORD" (Colossians 3:16). "Sing praises TO THE LORD." (Psalm 9:11). And the knock-out punch... "know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world, is the enemy of God." (James 4:4). The music must be directed towards God, pleasing to God, from the heart and not out of the flesh, and should constitute a new song...not just an old 'make-over' from our sinful past!
3)TRUE BIBLICAL WORSHIP MUSIC SHOULD EMPHASIZE THE MESSAGE...NOT THE MUSIC NOR THE MUSICIAN! If men are exalted, or the music is the drawing card, then Jesus Christ is obscured and all is in vain! We are not assembled together to entertain...we assemble to exalt Jesus Christ. He promised if we would LIFT HIM UP, He would draw all men unto Himself! When men try to show off their talent, perform, excite the flesh by use of certain rhythms and musical styles (this certainly includes Southern Gospel Music as well!!!), it totally destroys the true purpose of worship music. Jesus Christ must always have the pre-eminence and be the all in all of our worship. "Sing forth the honour of His name: MAKE HIS PRAISE GLORIOUS." (Psalm 66:2). Worship is not just "getting together" with everybody we can lure into a sanctuary to "party" for Jesus! It has nothing to do with us "feeling good about ourselves." True worship is humbly exalting and praising the all- powerful, Absolutely Holy and Perfect God, Who has saved and blessed by His mercy and Grace!
