Let us consider this in regards to music. Would singing the lyrics, "The hardest thing I'll ever have to do, is holding her and loving you" honor God. An ABSOLUTELY resounding NO is the appropriate answer. The man is told multiple times throughout God's Word to be FAITHFUL to HIS wife, not another woman. As catchy as the tune may be, the words are offensive to God's Word regarding faithfulness. Now. Does this make ALL music bad? No silly, of course not. The Bible is full of songs. But it does reveal to us that this country music song is bad. Why? It DOES NOT honor God.
Some people might be prone to argue, "Well it's just a song." It's more than a song. It is sinful living. It doesn't make ALL country music bad. "Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was crying" are some really good lyrics taking a look at her younger years. In fact, I'd argue that the whole song has lyrics that are indeed favorable. But one "good" country song or one "bad" country song doesn't make them all good or bad. Here's the careful part. If you cannot listen to country music and cut out the bad, it's probably best you don't. The bad music will do more harm to your mind than the good music will do good. It means that you have to be really careful.
There are some modern Christian songs that make man the center of attention. In our worship, God is the center of our worship. No man is worthy of our worship. We can sing music that encourages our fellow man to be faithful or encouraged but we dare not put man as the center point of worship. Does this mean all modern Christian music is bad? Nope. But here is an even MORE CAREFUL point. Christian music may cause us to relax our discernment simply because it is played on a Christian station. I'm going to argue that you need more discernment to listen to Christian music than you do for Country music? Why is that? Because we'll swallow a lie really easily while listening to "christian" music. We kinda expect country music to be about tears and broken relationships with horrible advice given.
I think this is one of the reasons Satan so likes to abuse music. It has such a strong influence upon us that we may not even realize what we are singing or to whom. But again, this doesn't mean we need to get rid of the piano or music all together. What it does mean is that we need to be careful to whom we listen and to the lyrics we sing. And sometimes, it is going to mean that we need to avoid certain singers altogether because the bad outweighs any "good" that may be had.
This writing today is very specific because this is how some people's convictions can lead to abuse. So churches may be considered sinful for using a piano or guitar by some. They believe it should only be human voices. The Bible does not forbid instruments. A case does need to be made for everything being done decently and in order. This to me eliminates head banging music because it is not much other than confusion. But we don't eliminate ALL instruments simply because some abuse them.
When we seek to impose our convictions on others, we need to make sure, once again, that our convictions are truly:
Biblically based upon a clear principle from God's Word.
That we ourselves are living out that very principle.
That we are not simply on a power trip.
That the lack of such a conviction brings dishonor to God.
This can be done for just about any conviction. I hope it is not necessary for me to go through any and all one by one.
Happy Thursday
Go and find some God honoring music and celebrate His goodness.
luke
--
Luke Liechty, Pastor
Westside Baptist Church
Reprinted from Luke's weekly--Theological Thursday--email blast on February 5, 2026.