Be Filthy Still
We cannot take things from the world, change it up, and label it Christian.
If all that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - which is NOT of the Father - then why do so many professing Christians try to take the ways of the world and use it for ministry?
Some may wonder why I keep harping on this. It's because there is a failure in much of the churchworld to separate that which is the soulish from that which is of the Spirit of God. As a result, many continue to be blind and deceived while believing that such is Christianity.
This is part of what is addressed in Pastor Zac Poonen's message below entitled "Christian Rock: The Devil's Music." How can he say that this is the devil's music? Because of who birthed it.
"For ALL that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." I John 2:16
Whether it is Christian Rock, Christian Rap, Christian Hip Hop...so many times people will ask, "Why can't God use this to glorify Himself and win converts? Why does it matter that this genre was first created by the world?"
The answer is because God is the Creator, not Satan. God doesn't have to take what Satan establishes in the world and "use it" to minister to His people. In fact, we know for sure that He does not. This is way beyond simply genres of music, but is about our very attitude, our lifestyle, our nature before God. Have we truly become partakers of the divine nature or are we still trying to dress up the fallen nature to look like Christ? What is inspiring us? As Jesus rebuked His disciples, "Consider what spirit you are of." (Luke 9:55). God has no fellowship with the works of darkness.
One way to understand God's attitude towards the things of the world is to look at the Adamic nature. God's answer for the fallen nature of man is not to reform it or clean & dress it up, but to crucify it. There is nothing salvageable about that which is of the world and God borrows nothing from it.
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, 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
That which is of God's Spirit it pure precisely because it has been birthed or fathered by Him. May our love for God - and our very existence before Him - transcend the soulish and the sentimental to be truly holy...for He is holy.
AMEN!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Latter Days Bloggers, I've shared your article with an individual. And they are christian but they oppose to this message. I wanted to share their thoughts with you so I can "rightly divide the word of TRUTH". This is what they had to say: My Thoughts: U can't say that those specific genres were created by the world because God created everything, If those avenues are used solely to bring glory to God there is nothing wrong with it, James 1:17 every good gift comes from God...just because the world uses these genres to glorify the world doesn't mean they are wrong...if u try to say that I can say Lucifer was the head of music in heaven so all music is bad/worldly since he is the god (little g) of this world...King David was also said to do music and it wasn't just quote unquote "church music"...lets not put a cap on the way people can praise God there is no holier music for lack of better word, as long as its sole purpose is for Christ it is fine, just because it is sang/rap in a different tempo and style doesn't make it wrong.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandrea,
ReplyDeleteThanks for those comments. As you state, the only thing which matters is what does the word of God say?
Did God create lies? Does God create sin? Does God create unrighteousness? Did God create the statues, altars, and rituals of idolatry that we read about in the Scriptures? Clearly the answer is no.
God is not the Creator of that which is unrighteous. He creates only that which is "good." So how do we determine what is good?
Something is not "good" because we say it is, believe it is be, or wish it to be. Scripture is filled with God's people doing what looks "good" in their own eyes and being judged for it (Leviticus 10:1-2; I Samuel 15:28; II Samuel 6:6-7; I Corinthians 11:29-30). In each of the instances I just cited for you, the people were doing something for the glory of God...and they were in grave error.
The only thing which can be called "good" is that which comes from God. This means it is literally birthed by His Spirit. When God created, He looked at His creation and said it was "good". Jesus said that there is none good but God. This is why every "good" gift comes from God, because it originates from Him.
On the other hand, God tells us that those who call evil good and good evil will be judged (Isaiah 5:20). According to the individual you reference, nothing can be called "evil" because God creates everything. This is foolishness.
All music is not demonic. When Lucifer was over music, it was pure, it was Godly because it was birthed by God. However, when Lucifer fell, his gifts also became perverted. Although his talents had previously been used under the inspiration of God's Spirit - now, it was inspired by his own proud/selfish motivations.
This individual you quote is not speaking the truth. That which is acceptable to God is not based on what we see fit to offer Him or do in His name. He only receives that which has been fathered by Him. He does not receive that which was created by another spirit. Either we will obey Him or we will not.
God bless you!
Hi Sandrea,
ReplyDeleteOne more Scripture you may want to consider.
"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Matthew 7:21-23
Can we not say that those who were prophesying, casting out devils and such were doing "good" works? Indeed, the Scriptures say that these were "wonderful" works.
According to your friend, these works should have been acceptable to God because they were done in His name and for His honor. But they were not.
No matter how many "good" works we think we can do, if they are not works inspired by God, then they are spurious and will be rejected by Him.
Your friend's false conclusion that anything we do is fine as long as we do it for Christ is dead wrong! God is not looking for us to do what we think is right, but to obey His word.
Obedience is better than sacrifice.
I will continue to NOT debate God's word but seek His face by studying to show myself approve! Your blog is a blessing to my walk! Its literally have a personal binder of your articles to study and understand why Im a Christian! Thank You and Im praying that Christ will restore VIRTUE back into you all that are apart of "The Latter Days". LOVE YOU & BE BLESSED in Jesus Name!
ReplyDeleteSandrea, I am SO with you. I will not debate God's word. Discuss it? Yes. But in the end, any truth MUST be confirmed for each of us by God's Spirit alone. It makes no sense to continue talking/arguing/striving. Let God settle a matter, and when He does, we will all be the wiser for it.
ReplyDeleteI don't care what music people listen to, what shows they watch, what words they say, or things they do. What business is it of mine?
But we MUST understand that the goal of a Christian should be to live under the inspiration of His Spirit in all things. In any area where we want to do what we please - even if it is done "for God" - then we are missing the mark.
If people hear this sermon and leave it with a renewed desire to seek God's heart in all areas, then well and good...irregardless of what they think about music.
Keep pressing on in the Lord, Sister. God is faithful to give you (and each of us) the wisdom we seek and need to be vessels fit for His use.
Thanks for this. We had to leave a 'conservative' church where this started happening; they even used the music to immoral rock songs that sang about adultery and pasted over words about Jesus (Eagles "Peaceful, Easy Feeling). It was nauseating, but when we expressed concerns WE were asked to leave! I don't feel like we are going crazy anymore!
ReplyDeleteThe defense I've heard put to this (by otherwise Bible-believing pastors!) is that since Christ redeemed us and the world, we are freed from having to make such hard distinctions, free from being beholden to the law, from having to avoid certain foods, or activities, or make certain observances, etc.
ReplyDeleteWhich is true... to a point. They do draw distinctions about things which are clearly prohibited in scripture. Yet all else, in their view, is OK or at least up for debate. Sadly, the discussion seldom gets 'round to what is most pleasing to God, or what His will is.
I don't buy their argument, but unless they're Spirit-filled, it is difficult (perhaps impossible) to draw the same lines in the same places. Any thoughts appreciated!
The current thing being debated in our church (to my utter horror) is "Christian yoga".
My retort: why not 'Christian' kick-boxing and 'Christian' poker? Indeed, once one has started down that slippery slope: WHY not?
Hi Newine,
ReplyDeleteI heard another sermon by Pastor Poonen where he expounded on the following:
"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." I Corinthians 6:12
"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not." I Corinthians 10:23
Pastor Poonen essentially said that there are three levels of living.
1). Live unlawfully as do unbelievers. In this category, one does whatever they want to do with no regard for whether it is righteous or not. This is the lowest form of living.
2). Live lawfully, where a person does whatever is permitted. Their only concern is that their activity is 'lawful'. This is where many believers live.
3). Live profitably, where the concern is not just "is this lawful", but is it profitable?; does it edify? This is the highest level of living according to God's word.
Out of 100 things, 70 things might be unlawful. So you don't do any of them. Out of the 30 lawful things, maybe only 10 are profitable.
The wholehearted Christian will only do the 10 things. The half-hearted Christian will do all 30. A worldly Christian or unbeliever does all 100.
I believe that this is the difference. When people are trying to hold on to what is perhaps permissible in God at the expense of what is profitable in God, then they are not fully committed to Him. I am not just speaking about music, but in every area of life.
A minister I really respect named Derek Prince used to be involved in Eastern mysticism before being saved. He once said, "A Christian should stay as far away from yoga as the east is from the west."
Many folks don't realize that yoga is a religion. Here are some videos that go more into this: Yoga & Christianity
If Christian Rock isn't "right", then what kind of music is? I listen to Rebecca St. James, Third Day and even praise and worship music that has guitar riffs in it, does that mean in God's eyes because it's Rock then we shouldn't listen to it because it originally came from Satan?
ReplyDeleteHi Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteI believe when it comes to music, it is the same as anything else: we must be led of the Lord. I cannot tell anyone what t listen to and neither do I desire to be in such a position. May each do as they are led. However, we must understand that Praise and Worship is not about what we like, but about what is pleasing to God. As long as that is our motivation - to do what is pleasing to God - then He will lead us in all things...including what music to listen to.
The law is what gives man a bunch of dos and don'ts to follow so that he can stay in line with God. However, the calling to walk under the law of the Spirit - which brings liberty - is much different. In such a relationship, we are not following a bunch of rules and regulations, but being ruled by the Spirit of God within - in all things. This must be our goal, to forget about using our own mind and intellect to determine what is "good and evil" (Gen. 2:17), but to be led of God.
Thanks for sharing your question.