Tips: How to Part with Secular Music

I struggled a lot when I was trying to get closer to God but I knew my taste for music was changing when the me who was obsessed with rap music couldn't listen to it anymore and it happened so quickly. The lyrics weren't sitting with me anymore, I couldn't vibe to the music because I was finding faults within the song. The music started to reveal itself to me as if I was blinded by it before, I felt offended by how misogynistic the lyrics were and felt saddened that most of the songs were glorifying fornication, encouraging the consumption of drugs and alcohol as well as violence. 

Although that shift happened as soon as I listened to a rap song, when it came to other types of music it wasn't so easy, especially because I love dancing - most people do - it's the physical expression of the joy that God wants us to experience and it's fun, the Bible encourages us to do so too. 

"Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;

    celebrate his lovely name with music."

                                                             - Psalm 135:3   

"Praise his name with dancing,

    accompanied by tambourine and harp."

- Psalm 149:3 

The devil knows this so he's taking advantage of it, using the catchiest beats to lure us into his world of sin, but if you're reading this you're most likely tired of it like I was and you want to book the next flight out of sin city and go to heavenly places. Don't stress, your faithful and understanding God has got you covered which is why I'm writing this at 6am instead of sleeping because the idea came to me, so with some helpful tips and resources, be blessed my friend, I believe in you!

1. Figure out your (A) boundaries and (B) triggers.

(A) Boundary - a line that marks the limits of an area; a dividing line.

It's important to know what isn't helping so you can find what will and what does help you to grow and stay on the right path. For me, I instantly knew it was rap music because I wasn't at peace listening to it (who spends a full 4 minutes questioning the song rather than enjoying it? Red flag for sure!) and when I did listen to it in the past, it brought on an attitude (a spirit of its own) where I would look down on people around me and think I'm better than them or the song would make me live out the narrative where I'm cold, heartless, ruthless and don't give a crap about anyone or anything which should be the total opposite. Red flag number two! 

I don't know if it's just me but I do believe songs do have the power to bring upon certain emotions, the question is which ones do you want them to ignite? 

Especially when you're depressed or sad and you consume music that is in relation to that, you're not really helping yourself. I used to do so and I was pretty much digging a deeper hole than the one I was living in, oftentimes it would be on purpose to continue to the cycle and then I'm wondering why am I crying/feeling this way. There's the line for me, so now I don't cross it. The holy spirit will also help you so that you won't even feel like crossing it anyways, perks of being saved!

(B) Triggers - they cause events/situations (in this case emotions) to exist, happen, distresses, and arouses feelings or memories associated with a traumatic experience.

Struggling with lust? Maybe rethink listening to The Weekend 'After Hours' and Jorja Smith so you can 'Be Honest' with yourself.

Going through heartbreak? Leave Taylor Swift/Lewis Capaldi at the door and lock it, say farewell to Lord Huron too, we're dating the One and only Lord Jesus Christ! #sorrynotsorry 

Battling with depression? Let the weight of Fleuri/Cloves, and Dean Lewis drown like his song 'waves' and swim towards the surface where the light is (been there too many times) we thank you Jesus!

Maybe don't take advice from Lizzo if you're over-consuming the strong type of 'juice' or if you find yourself being unkind to others, could it be the pettiness and shade stemming from being a 'savage'? 

To clarify I'm not fully blaming music or the artists for everything mentioned above, just acknowledging the part that they do play in our lives because what we consume enters our heart, the one place where everything stems from so if I let certain artists live there (Drake, London Grammar, Cardi B, MCR), you tell me what kind actions, behaviors, and thoughts I'll have, oh wait I've already had them, but I'll wait.

2. Actively Search for Christian Music.

The first step after I realized I can't listen to secular music anymore, I heard my sister play these really cool Christian songs and I knew she wouldn't tell me who they were because that's just how sisters be acting! So I would take one sentence and look it up for myself, I soon came across these Youtube Channels that are doing amazing works by promoting and sharing new and established Christian Artists daily on their platforms (Spotify too) which I've listed below, check them out and subscribe!

Gospel Hydration / Blssd / More Than Music / Holy Sounds / BLVR Music

You can also check out my Christian playlist with a mix of artists that I love below on Spotify!

I also found music at work one day when I turned on the radio and realized there was a Christian radio station I've never known about. I've found some really good songs from listening to it. Try finding yours in your local area and try to catch the tunes they play. If you're from Dublin, Ireland (even if you're not) we have a radio show called 'Spirit Radio' and the frequency is 89.9fm you can listen online here!

3. Listen to instrumentals.

If you can't go cold-turkey immediately, then listening to the instrumentals of the songs you listen to is a start, you're taking away the lyrics the driving force of the song because words have power. Yes, they may be ingrained in your head but this is one way of slowly forgetting them. I can't even remember 70% of the songs I used to listen to, never mind the lyrics because it's been so long, and trust me, it's not a big deal like I thought it would be. 

You can also listen to instrumentals of all kinds of genres, lo-fi, jazz, indie. They're all available to you, like I mentioned earlier, search/seek!

“I love those who love me, and those who diligently seek me will find me. 

- Proverbs 8:17

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 

- Luke 11:9-10

4. Delete the playlists.

Y'all know what they say about seeking the Kingdom right? Matthew 6:33. How can things be added onto you if you don't let go of what's holding you back from having an amazing relationship with God?

 Christian music isn't just going to magically appear on your playlists, you have to say bye to old (as much as it pains you to delete that bomb secular playlist) and say hello to the new music that will help you on your journey. I even had thoughts like "maybe I should pass this playlist onto another person, it's too good to throw away!" but I didn't because I would have been contributing to another unbeliever possibly staying longer in their unbelief and remember, we will be held accountable for everything so "do you really want to do that?" I asked myself. The answer was clearly no. *delete*

No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other.

- Matthew 6:24

Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey?

- Romans 6:16

 

5. You're not alone.

Repeat after me, not everyone gets convicted. I know people who are Christian and listen to secular music and I don't judge them because God changes us within His timing and sometimes He doesn't convict them of it because it's not harming them like it is harming you. He'll deal with them later but for now, it's your turn to be disciplined and corrected for your own good. I definitely was going down the wrong path because of the circumstances I was going through but I was also using the same method that was hurting me to escape. How can you be sad, listen to sad music and become sadder and expect to change? 

God did the right thing of telling me to leave it behind, I wouldn't have come this far if I hadn't. But you know what's relieving is that I didn't go through it alone, during that season I met other Christians who were like "I'm trying to stop listening to it too!" and also my sister would high-key shout "IS THAT CHRISTIAN?" when you played a secular song in the house out loud, so that helped too, God bless her!

Also do not be afraid to let people know when you feel uncomfortable about them singing or playing secular around you, if they're for you then they will support, if not, fleeeeeeeee! 

6. Forgive yourself.

Perfect. Only Jesus is and nothing comes easy so this sacrifice won't either. You'll need to be realistic, secular music is everywhere how are you going to quit something that is played in shops, taxis, on the radios of waiting rooms, etc. Of course, you'll end up hearing that bop from way back when and get so hyped you feel your body start to dance or yell out a quick "AYYYY!!!!" or a lyric but quickly check yourself. But you know what? That's okay. Our bodies are born out of sin and are designed to be driven by our desires/feelings and emotions so forgive yourself if that happens more than once. I know I do, I hear "that jam" the one that you used to break the dancefloor with and I have to quickly correct myself and hum a worship song or replace the lyrics with heavenly praises because I might be in a situation where there's no way out of listening to it like when I worked in retail and had no choice.

This is why you need to come prepared when you go outside, have a pair of earphones/headphones, and a full stack of gospel music ready to go for any situation!

7. Make your own.

I know everyone isn't talented in the music department but if you are, why not make your own music? It's definitely fun, during quarantine my little brother and I just sat around doing it, him on the piano making a random melody and me belting out whatever lyrics came to mind after asking the Holy Spirit for some help of course. What better way to praise God than with the body, abilities, and strength He blessed you with. Who knows maybe even sharing the music you make can help lift and inspire another brother or sister!

8. Share and Support.

We need to support the gospel artists and share the music that we listen to so that it becomes easier for people to find especially those who are going through this season. I've seen so many comments of people saying "I wish I found this kind of music sooner" or "I didn't know Gospel music could be so good" which shows just how underrated the genre is and how it should change!

So share the music, support the artists by buying the songs, not downloading it illegally, it's usually 1 dollar/pound/euro which I'm sure we can all spare, remember that it is better to give than it is to receive! (Acts 20:35)

"(11) You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.

    You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,

12 

(12) that I might sing praises to you and not be silent."

- Psalm 30:11-12

May all those going through this season prosper, let me know if you have any more tips in the comments!

Best wishes & Blessings,
Renate.