I just read a small book titled Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World. You can buy it here for only $10.39. Not very long ago I shared some thoughts on from the chapter “God, My Heart and Media” (here, here and here). The next chapter is titled “God, My Heart, and Music” and while I disagree with the author more in this chapter than any other part of the book, he still has several challenging practical thoughts when it comes to our music choices.
The question is this, how can we use music for God’s glory? After all, as he writes, “Music is meant to be a means of bringing glory to God.” Then he shares several specific steps we can take as we pursue glorifying God with our music. Here are a few of them:
Specific Steps
- Delete or throw away music you’ll listen to only if you backslide…it’s wise to get rid of what could hinder our growth in Christ
- Listen to music with others. Part of the joy music communicates comes from sharing it.
- Evaluate your current intake of music. Areas to consider include how much music you listen to, what types, in what situations and times of day, and for how long.
- Go on a music fast.Maybe you can’t imagine giving up your music far a month, a week, or even a day. But there are few more effective ways to measure the place music holds on your life, thinking and behavior.
- Listen to old music.Music that stands the test of time is worth giving our attention to. We’re shortsighted, proud, and poorer if we never appreciate the music God has given throughout history.
- Intentionally thank God every time you enjoy music. Music is a gift from God. But God never intends his gifts to replace Him as the object of our desire and delight. Music, like all of God’s gifts, is meant to draw our hearts and attention to His glory, His power and His love.
