“Love my music
Ain’t no one gonna change my tune
Don’t ya know that I love my music
Ain’t never gonna change my tune.

“My Music” by Jim Messina and Kenny Loggins

I grew up singing and as a child I learned to play the guitar.  Sadly, I have let my skills lapse into near oblivion.  For a brief time in my late teens and early twenties, I served as a music minister.  I still remember one dear saint’s comment when I told her I was leaving to pursue preaching instead of music.  “That’s a good idea,” she said.  I think I got her point.

Music touches most of us in the deepest places of our hearts.  If you want to start a war in church, propose a change in music.  That’s like kicking an ant bed or knocking down a hornets’ nest.  Unfortunately, I have observed that many people are more particular about their “church music” than their “out of church” music.  I’ll just leave that statement right there.

The Bible and Music

The Bible features music very prominently.  As a matter of fact, the largest book in the Bible is a song book.  Not coincidentally, that song book challenges us often to sing a new song to the Lord.  You see, we may not like new songs, but God does.

One instance in the lives of Saul and David illustrates perfectly how music affects us.  God burdened Saul with what the Bible calls a “harmful spirit.” When that would happen, Saul called for David to come play the lyre – an ancient harp-like instrument.  Whenever David would play, Saul would get better.  You read this account in 1 Samuel 16:14-23.

When look at verse 23, we see three ways David’s playing affected Saul.

 And whenever the harmful spirit from God was upon Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand. So Saul was refreshed and was well, and the harmful spirit departed from him.

David’s playing affected Saul physically (refreshed), emotionally (well), and spiritually (the harmful spirit departed).  Let’s look at how music can affect us in the same three ways.

Physical

Do you workout at a gym?  Do you hear what’s playing very loudly over the speakers?  Or maybe you have your own “workout jam” that you listen to at the gym or as you exercise at home.  We choose the kind of music for physical activity that compels us to move faster and work harder.

Who can’t resist tapping toes or clapping hands to upbeat songs.  I’m by no means a candidate for Dancing with the Stars.  I am neither a star nor can I dance. But there are some songs I cannot resist swaying or bopping when I hear them.

Even restaurants and stores realize this.  They carefully select music that will generate whatever reaction from you they desire.  It definitely affects us physically.

Emotional

Some songs make me cry; others make me laugh.  Songs bring back both good and bad memories.  Some songs challenge us to try harder or persevere.

Conversely, evidence indicates that music plays a role in many who perpetrate evil deeds like mass shootings. They use music to psyche themselves up.  Seemingly, without that influence they would not have had the motivation to accomplish the dirty deed.  So, positively and negatively, it affects us emotionally.

Spiritual

I think it is no accident that the largest book of the Bible is a collection of song lyrics.  God created everything necessary for us to use music to draw us closer to Him.  Not only did He create materials to make instruments, but He also gave people the knowledge and abilities to make them.

God also created our bodies with the ability to hear and interpret the sounds those instruments make.  He created us with the abilities to make sounds of our own and to form those sounds into words.  Then He enabled our brains to interpret those words and understand meanings attached to them.  Yes, God intends music to affect us spiritually.

For Our Good

Knowing that music affects us in these ways, what can we do to enhance our lives with it?

First, embrace it.  Recognize it as a gift from God for His purposes in our lives.

Enjoy your style and allow others to do the same.  Just because I don’t prefer yours doesn’t mean it (or me) is bad.

Be more concerned with the content than the style.  I remember when I was a teenager, the great fear was subliminal messages hidden in records.  You could only hear them if you played them backwards.  Today, I worry less about what the song says backwards than what it says frontwards.

Words convey a message that wedges its way into our heads and heart.  Once there, they tend to stick around.  I’m not saying you should only listen to Christian music.  I am saying that any music – Christian or secular – should be consistent with God’s purposes and truth.

Enjoy God’s gift of music.  But let it bear fruit for Him in your life.