Written by Paul J Bucknell on February, 08, 2023
Songs and Worship: Learn to Discern Different Christian Music
The Question
“Is it right for a Christian to sing or listen to any songs other than what we call ‘gospel music/songs’?”
This topic raises numerous questions. People understand “Gospel songs” in various ways. Your specific context can refer to different scenarios, as discussed below.
1. Gospel songs refer to evangelistic ones
Under this heading, I assume “gospel music/songs” refers to a select group of evangelistic Christian songs, in contrast to Christian hymns that strengthen one’s faith. Evangelistic Christian songs call people to Christ, emphasizing the need to believe in Jesus.
If one emphasizes only “Gospel” songs, in contrast to other Christian worship songs, we will find ourselves very limited in our worship, seeing that evangelistic songs target unbelievers. Some pastors act as evangelists, always focusing on evangelism rather than pastoring. Church, for them, becomes an evangelistic service accompanied by Gospel songs.
While we always need to be attentive to the lost, the church worship service is primarily for believers. It is appropriate to have worship songs, like in Revelation 5:9, and other songs that establish one’s faith and expressly bring glory to Christ Jesus. Evangelistic songs are generally used during evangelistic services.
2. Gospel songs refer to all Christian songs
Paul alludes to a broad range of Christian songs in his teaching about being filled with the Spirit of God, especially when filled by the Spirit. He mentions three kinds of songs: psalms (from the Book of Psalms), hymns (established songs that build faith), and spiritual songs (those that the Spirit of God brings to mind—more spontaneous).
“18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord” (Eph 5:18-19).
These three types are encouraged and would support a broad range of Christian songs. It’s good to sing familiar songs during worship. My policy was not to introduce more than one new song during a worship service. The latter part of the article on Ephesians 5 gives more insight.
I will discuss the appropriateness of Christians singing secular songs in point five, but I first need to explore some other issues.
3. Gospel songs and legalism
Sometimes, believers censor other believers in the form of legalism. This strong expectation, or body of rules, stems from what one group considers holy. They form their standards from habits or songs they think are holy—typically what they are familiar with. This is excessive and unnecessary.
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Mat 7:1-3).
This approach presents a narrow view of the Christian life and leadership, often resulting in an offense and a divisive spirit. We should not judge others; however, we must learn to discern.
4. Building discernment to evaluate songs
The vast world of music, including the many Christian songs on the web, are constantly available to us on the web. Their quality and message are not the same, however.
Many Christian songs (i.e., created by Christians) reflect the ungodly culture around us, sensual and self-focused. Other ‘Christian’ songs are watered down with no teaching. Still, others teach the wrong teaching.
Our children quickly pick up songs from other youth and only hear or sing them. It’s essential to train children at home to discern the music and words of songs, videos, television, computer games, Youtube, etc. It’s okay to prohibit songs but do help your children understand your standards to develop their discernment! If they do not value your judgment and how it’s built on the Scripture, they will easily ‘sneak’ listening to music without permission.
Hell’s entrance is not far from each of us!
“29 If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell” (Mat 5:29-30).
Jesus’ point is that we can use our bodies, such as eyes and ears, to lead us to hell if not careful.
God will hold us accountable for how we use our ears and eyes. We must step beyond what we can watch and listen to, asking what our hearts seek.
“The hearing ear and the seeing eye,
The Lord has made both of them” (Pr 20:12).
Even here, we must admit that some “Christian” songs seem fleshly. They don’t even explicitly refer to Jesus Christ but to a lover. God does love us, but these songs don’t openly communicate who our lover is. These “crossover” songs are unacceptable, and though they try to be Gospel songs to communicate with the unbeliever, they inappropriately introduce Jesus Christ. The words are critical because they teach—for good or bad.
Also, be careful of the music itself. There are many excellent worship teams, but some are so excitable, imitating the world. They might use an intense, fleshly beat, overwhelming the words.
We are to be filled with the Spirit, being caught up in scriptural words and teaching, rather than turning up the volume to stir up our physical nature.
5. What about secular songs?
Perhaps, our original question wonders whether Christian believers sing or hum non-Christian songs. Due to the electronic age, many Christian and other songs by unbelievers are recorded and proliferated. They are everywhere around us, even in our public stores.
Again, we need to discern their purpose. Some are only instrumental, which can help us meditate. Others have foul words. Christians hold different views on this.
General music should be fine if they do not expressly run counter to Christian hope and faith. God will hold us accountable for our time; it’s good to think about your purpose and how music influences you. After becoming a Christian, I destroyed some old records (an old media format) because they did not foster a Christian understanding.
Christian songs and videos are vehicles taking us to a destination. We must be careful lest they take us where God does not want us to go. For example, sensual songs have us dreaming of that one person who will supposedly fulfill us. Isn’t Jesus the only One who can do this? Other songs wrongly allude to sensual acts and feeling-oriented music, directing our feelings. Many songs teach us to look at life from our perspective rather than God’s viewpoint. Scripture songs are very helpful here presenting a biblical viewpoint.
On the other hand, some music is pleasant and can help us in our daily worship, perhaps if only instrumental—not knowing if by a Christian or not. I like, at times, to listen to the old baroque music playing in the background, but we also listen to Christian instrumental worship songs.
6. What are the Psalms?
For a more in-depth understanding, I’d like to discuss the psalms. What are the psalms? The Psalms is a collection of psalms written mainly by king David when he was a shepherd or in trouble later in life. These poetic words were then set to music.
Psalm 22:1 uses the word “psalm” to describe a groaning prayer, a significant prophetic Psalm that describes the Messiah’s suffering.
“For the music director, according to the tune “Morning Doe”; a psalm of David. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? I groan in prayer, but help seems far away.”
Though the word psalm is not used in 2 Samuel 22:1, we see another description of David’s use of his songs. Can you find it?
“And David spoke the words of this song to the Lord in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul” (2 Sam 22:1).
One denomination only considers these psalms appropriate for worship, but we learned from Paul in Ephesians that we need not limit ourselves to only singing the Psalms.
Summary
I have discussed numerous questions or issues regarding Christian music. The brief answers may be inadequate! But I hope we understand and appreciate how David’s broad use of situations for themes comprising the Psalms (lit. songs) is meant to cause growth, faith, and encouragement in God’s people.
These can bring God into our particular life issues rather than songs that bring us away from God’s presence, causing us to drift further into the world. With the deluge of available music, we must teach each believer to discern the words and music of songs, whether Christian or not. Of most importance, we ought to focus on using godly songs in our daily worship and lives to serve the Lord effectively. Learn how to make your songs unto the Lord!
