As you may or may not know, I'm a graphic designer and most of my day is spent behind a computer screen working away the hours listening to music. I love almost all types and genre's of music and my iPod's artist list is enough to prove that. My wife always laughs at me when I break out my iPod during long car rides because you never know what you're going to find, but guaranteed, you won't find anything she likes. Most of my music she can't stand!!
I was in High School in small town Indiana during the early 90's so my music selection started out being mostly radio friendly music that everyone and they're brother listened to. My older brother, Neal's music ranged from Petra to Air Supply! I went through my Hip Hop stage, my Grunge stage, my Ska stage, and even my Industrial stage. I grew up in a very Christian household and the music never really did much for me....Michael W. Smith, Amy Grant, Sandy Patty.....ugh!
Then Tooth and Nail Records Happened
Blew My Mind! How could music that is based in Christianity sound like all the stuff I listen to anyways. Suddenly I could get my metal or punk fix. My Ska or Industrial fix. Great stuff and I swear I bought everything they had no matter if I had heard them before or not. Did. Not. Matter.
But....through the years, I still sway back and forth between Secular and Christian based music. Most of my coworkers introduce me to new secular music all the time. And it's great! I like to put my iPod on shuffle and have my own "Alex Radio Station" playing at all times. Supertones, MXPX, Anberlin, Emery then suddenly Nirvana, System of a Down, Metallica, or Beastie Boys will come on. But when I suddenly hit a song with "F-Bombs" or other vulgar lyrics, I get a little sense of guilt and unease that I associate with my conscience or Holy Spirit or something.
Should I feel guilty for not going full "Christian" in my music selections?
Should I just listen to what moves me, but stay true in my walk with God?
Is it okay to throw the Devil Horns at a show, then go to Church the very next Morning?
Well.....How about you??
Comments
Thankfully, some secular bands do good music without blasting profanity or a negative message all of the time! Some bash it because it doesn't glorify God, but they're typically the type that doesn't interact with society, LOL. Interesting!