KBM Standing Against Contemporary Christian Music

Today, we continue our series “Defender of the Faith” by looking at how we should be “Standing Against Contemporary Christian Music.” Many Christians are under the belief listening to this type of music, even though they wouldn’t accept it in their worship services, is fine to listen to as entertainment. I want us to spend a few moments considering that idea and looking at the arguments “for listening to it.”

The most prominent argument I have heard for justifying listening to the music is that it is simply for entertainment purposes. Meaning, again that they wouldn’t worship God that way, but it’s for entertainment and they are not worshiping God by listening to it.

The answer to this argument begins by understanding what worship is. There are five different Greek words translated as worship and used for worship by God in the New Testament. One of those words is found in Hebrews 12:28.

Hebrews 12:28 NKJV

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

Hebrews 12:28 ESV

28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe

This Greek word “letreuo” means, “to perform the acts or rites of worship” and as such focuses on the acts themselves not the person performing them.

This is important, because God considers the acts of worship themselves worship. Therefore, anytime someone performs those acts of worship, whether they are intending to worship or not, they are worshiping.

Now, I have never met a person that can one hundred percent of the time not sing along with songs they are listening to that have words. As soon as someone sings one word in their mind or out loud they are worshiping God and not only worshiping God they are worshiping God in an unauthorized way.

The New Covenant and and the Law of Christ we are under today does not authorize the use of mechanical instruments in worship. Contemporary Christian music (1) was created to lead people in worshiping God, (2) has mechanical instruments in the psalms, hymns, or spiritual songs they are singing, (3) often have females leading the songs, but this is not all the time.

The second argument often given by brethren is that “well its better than the alternative to listen to.” This is just a lazy argument and one that they themselves do not adhere to in the rest of their lives nor actually believe.

First, something that is sinful cannot by definition be better no matter how many twists and turns someone tries to put on it. Sin leads to death, and arguing it is “less sinful than listening to secular music” still leads one to sinning and spiritual death.

Second, listening to biblical psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs sung by congregations in acapella is a biblical alternative that allows you to sing along with, and not violate God’s word.

Third, no one actually believes the “its better than the alternative” argument because if they did then they would be consistent in every other aspect of entertainment they enjoy. If they enjoy watch TV then we would see them watch nothing but TV evangelist, or if they enjoy reading they would read nothing secular and would be reading only read denominational books.

But, we don’t see this, because they really don’t believe their own argument and are just trying to justify their sin. There are plenty of secular songs that are not sinful to listen to. In fact, streaming companies have made it easy to make long playlists of these songs, so you don’t have to worry about a sinful song playing.

The point is this, we need to stand up against contemporary Christian music because it is sinful to listen to and sing along with because it violates God’s will on singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

Ephesians 5:19 NKJV

19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord

No one that is honest with the God’s word will strive to justify worshiping God or being entertain by worship songs that violate God’s authority on how he desires to be worship.