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Should Christians Listen to Rock Music or Is It of the Devil?

Since the middle of the 20th century, rock music has been demonized, both literally and figuratively. But is it true that rock and roll is truly of the devil? Let’s lake a look and find out.

I have read many articles and done quite a bit of historical research on the nature of chords, the historical background around the development of rock and roll in America in the 50s, even historical background surrounding the middle ages. But as I have drawn closer to God and continued to ask for wisdom, understanding, and knowledge of truth, God has helped me to better understand the nature of reality and the nature of truth.

Brief historical background of rock and roll music

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Let’s start with some historical background. Back in the 1950s, rock and roll music was not popular, but actually was an act of rebellion. Rock and roll stars developed the “rock” hand signal, which now is associated with “rock on”, even though people don’t actually use that phrase anymore. It has become a part of popular culture. However, the hand signal is actually demonic, it is a combination of Illuminati symbolism and literally the “horns of the devil”. With the hand placed into a fist and the index and pinky finger held up, the rock stars would put this to their forehead as a way to imply devil’s horns.

Why the hand signal? It stemmed largely from the culture of rebellion and disobedience to parents. In the 50s, parents hated when their kids listened to rock music, because of the ungodly messages spoken in the lyrics, and because the music literally altered people’s behavior. It would transform obedient, good kids into rebellious, drinking, smoking, promiscuous “little devils” – metaphorically speaking. The transformative power of music and its direct influence on human behavior definitely cannot be dismissed.

As a result of this, and because of the nature of musical chords which I will get into shortly, rock and roll soon gained fame as the “devil’s music”. Rock stars of course would take advantage of anything that increases the allure of their music to their fans. By founding an entire musical culture on rebellion and disobedience, it created something of a cult which drew vulnerable kids away from their parents and into the cult of rock and roll pop culture. The more that kids disobeyed their parents by listening to rock and roll music and participating in rock and roll culture, the more strong fans they became. As they became stronger fans, they completely separated themselves from the wholesome values and morals of their parents, further drifting into ungodliness, and in some cases apostasy.

The nature of musical chords

Now let’s discuss the nature of musical chords. In music there are known as two polarizing opposites, in which on the one hand the music sounds so good and that monks in the middle ages considered the tones to be godly. On the other hand is the devil’s chord full of disharmony.

The “perfect fourth” and “perfect fifth”

heavenly-piano-chord

On one end of the musical spectrum is a chord called the “perfect fourth” and the “perfect fifth”. Since many of you are probably not a musician or a student in music theory, I won’t be discussing the actual notes or the science behind it, since that is not important for this article. If you want to know about that, a quick internet search will show you that info.

In the middle ages, monks considered this to be a godly chord, and for good reason. This is why most of the hymns began in the perfect fourth. Even today, wedding music, and much christian music, either begins or utilizes the perfect fourth and fifth. It is not just a cultural creation but is a reality of the nature of God’s creation. The fourth and fifth in harmony is truly perfect harmony and bring a heavenly feeling. It gives feelings of peace, tranquility, holiness, goodness, happiness, bliss, love, and other good feelings.

The tritone aka “the devil’s chord”

Now contrast the perfect fourth and perfect fifth with its rival, the tritone, also known as “the devil’s chord” or the “devil’s tritone”, the “diminished fifth” and a number of other names referring to the same chord. In the middle ages, the tritone was dubbed “diabolis in musica”, which means “devil in the music”. As a result of the feelings of negativity that it portrayed, it was banned by the church during the middle ages.

In stark contrast to the perfect fourth and fifth’s harmony, the nature of the tritone is disharmony, dissonance, confusion, restlessness, sadness, misery, violence, aggression, tension, danger, fear, terror, and other similar negative emotions. This is a scientifically proven fact. For example, if you tried to play a tritone at a wedding ceremony, people would probably think it was a funeral. It would certainly be very confusing for the attendees.

Rock music by nature utilizes the tritone as a fundamental aspect of its music. The devil’s chord of confusion, violence, and danger actually formed the fundamental nature of rock and roll music. Later, heavy metal and thrasher music took it to a completely different level, still utilizing the tritone but in a total spirit of hate, darkness, evil, violence, and extreme aggression. The excessively loud music also creates greater feelings of fear, because humans are born with two innate fears – loud noises, and heights. Heavy metal uses loud and disturbing noises to create fear.

But what about so-called “soft-rock” and light rock music? The truth is that the “rock” portion of the music is by nature disharmonious and is inherently bridled with negative emotions as a fundamental aspect of the music. Soft rock and light rock uses *less* actual rock music and instead pairs light music and positive music along with it. Think Coldplay. Much of Coldplay is barely rock, if rock at all. In fact they utilize the perfect fourth and fifth, the polar opposite of the tritone of rock music. Therefore, if you think of a peaceful song, the truth is that it cannot be rock music, because rock music utilizes the tritone which gives the aforementioned negative feelings.

Biblical analysis of the devil’s chord

So is rock really the devil’s music? Historically, musically, and figuratively, it is certainly so by its very nature. That is why it was called “the devil’s chord”. But is it the music of Satan? That is to say, is it inherently evil? To answer this question we need to go to the Bible, and further also take a look at history to see the effects of rock music on culture and society.

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In Philippians 4:8, the Bible says, “whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind”.

1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love, and perfect love casts out all fear”.

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts in Christ Jesus.”

So we know the things of God: those things which are good, peaceful, lovely, holy. Now, the things of the devil are the opposite. The Bible says that he “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). It says he is a deceiver, a tempter, and the spirits of darkness are under his power. This includes the spirit of fear, hate, malice, violence, anger, spite, terror, sadness, and other negative feelings.

Have you sensed a parallel between the nature of music and the nature of God and the devil? It seems quite clear that good music like that of the perfect fifth and perfect fourth, the music that gives feelings of peace, goodness, holiness, love, and righteousness, these are surely good and holy to listen to.

Conversely, rock by nature is not good. It gives feelings of sadness, violence, anger, fear, malice, and other similar feelings. If any “rock” song has a period during the song which does not have these feelings, it is only because the song has incorporated *non-rock* music into the song. This is because always and under all circumstances, the “devil’s chord” which is the tritone is one which gives feelings of negativity. You cannot feel positive as a result of listening to the tritone, since by nature it creates confusion, dissension, and negativity.

Historical effects of rock and roll music

ac-dc-evil-rock-music
The evil, demonic appearance and satanic symbolism including the pentagram, became the face of rock music for a very good reason – it is because it is within rock’s very nature.

Another one of the major influencing factors we can use to decide whether rock and roll music really is of the devil is to look at history. Since the 50’s and the introduction of rock and roll music, this form of music single-handedly sparked a cultural revolution that forever changed American culture.

We can see these effects today, and these effects are not good. Rock and roll culture encouraged disobedience of parents, immorality, materialism, and promiscuity. It also opened the door for the devil to quite literally get a foothold in the souls of millions of vulnerable youth.

Looking back today, we can see that the parents of rock-listening children were right after all. Every fear they had really came true. Parents feared the children would become rebellious, disobedient, immoral, addicted to drugs, promiscuous, and stray from God and the church. This is exactly what happened. With each passing generation, less and less children grow up in the church. America has more fatherless children than ever in history. Materialism in America is worse than anywhere in the world.

Surely, there are other factors besides just rock and roll music to cause these problems. However, anyone familiar with history can see the undeniable culprit to spark and drive this cultural revolution as being rock and roll music at the heart of it all. Rock music changed America forever – and not for the better.

Look at any rock star today. What are the general character traits? Promiscuity, materialism, and drugs. Of course, not every rock star is wrapped up in all this, but surely, every one is influenced by the culture of rebellion that goes along with all rock music. The rebellious spirit remains at the heart of every rock song today, even among supposed Christian rock artists – and especially among hard rock and heavy metal artists, Christian or not.

Personal experience with hard rock music

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Years ago in college I used to listen to the hard rock and heavy metal music like Demon Hunter and Underoath – so-called “christian” hard rock music. However, the spiritual and physical and psychological effect on me was extremely damaging during that period of my life. Reflecting back on that time, I recognize the music as likely the primary reason for the darkness of that time in my life. It was a terrible time emotionally and physically, and everything continued to go wrong in my life. I made a lot of bad choices. Looking back, I recognize the music as having a profound impact on that time, and possibly the primary cause of that dark time in my life.

When I made an immediate and polar shift from heavy metal music to exclusively worship music and uplifting electronic (trance) music, my entire life changed. My outlook on life transformed into a positive one, and I remember feeling like “the dark times are over”. When listening to the hard rock music, even before getting into the heavier thrasher type music – hard rock music like Staind and Three Days Grace, I often wanted to die. Granted, I also had a pretty crummy life, but now I believe these suicidal thoughts came actually from the music. Later as I got into heavier music, the suicidal thoughts increased. I never took an action, but this was only out of fear of damnation of my soul. If I was not a Christian during that time, surely I would be dead today! The only reason every time that I did not commit suicide was because I feared God and feared hell. I believe the Holy Spirit saved me from death by reminding me about God during my darkest times. But I believe that music – not my personal situation as extreme as it was – rock and metal music was the real culprit behind the misery and pain I felt inside.

But looking at the difference in financial situation, it really wasn’t any different immediately despite having a completely different feeling about life and a peace and fellowship with God that was absent during the dark times when I listened to the “Christian” heavy metal music. Additionally, over time this positivity that entered my life with listening to positive music also resulted in better financial circumstances, but that is besides the point. The point is that in a time of listening to worship music, my outlook on life was drastically better than during a time of listening to even “Christian” heavy metal music, in times when my financial, relational, familial, and every other factor was nearly identical. My outlook on life, hope for the future, and peace in my soul was drastically improved, with the only true difference being the type of music that I listened to.

When I was younger, a teacher at a Christian school that I attended once told us about a time that he was listening to secular heavy metal music as a teenager. He told us about how one time he got a shotgun and almost shot his dad who walked into his room, and expressed how it “didn’t even feel like it was him doing it”, like something had possessed him. Almost certainly he was under demonic influence by listening to heavy metal music, especially because I think he wasn’t a Christian at the time. It was this story which is why I only listened to “Christian” heavy metal and refused to listen to secular heavy metal – but the shocking result in my experience was that the “Christian” hard rock and metal music still had the same type of negative effect on me, despite the supposed Christian focus of the heavy metal bands that I listened to. If I wasn’t a Christian at the time, surely today I would be dead.

Should a Christian avoid all rock music?

coldplay-concert

The result of all of this is that the answer to the question about rock music is not cut and dry, but there is a clear takeaway by following biblical instructions. The answer is not cut and dry because much rock music contains non-rock chords which do not create the negative feelings or the negative lyrics – and subsequently inspiring the negative behavior. However, these rock songs always contain some of the negative chords, or else it is not rock music. And almost every one of them contains something negative or rebellious to some extent. If it doesn’t, then by definition it is not “rock”. As a result, listening to any song which contains the tritone to create the negative feelings, or the negative lyrics, is against what the Bible teaches. The Bible instructs us to avoid that music, because it is not pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy as the Bible instructs is in Philippians 4:8.

On the other hand, the answer to heavy metal and hard rock music is very clear. It does not matter if the heavy metal or hard rock music is “Christian” or not, because it is not a righteous Christianity. Righteous, biblical Christianity cannot dwell on sadness, darkness, and the spirit of fear and anger and contempt and so on and so forth. By nature the very expression of hard rock and heavy metal is negativity, anger, and such ungodly emotions. I know because I used to listen to so-called “Christian” heavy metal music like Underoath, etc. The music is very dark, and will absolutely and without a doubt cause negativity, confusion, and darkness in your mind. It opens up a door for the devil to enter into your life. “Christian” or not, heavy metal and hard rock is not holy. A discerning Christian should never listen to it. As for non-Christian heavy metal and hard rock, it is that much worse.

But what about soft rock? Let us set a precedent. We understand what the Bible teaches us to think about. We are discerning to understand what is good and holy if we are mature as Christians. There may be some songs which may be completely innocuous despite being made by a “rock” band or being secular. What comes to mind is Speed of Sound by Coldplay. One of my favorite secular songs ever. Would Christ listen to that song? I can’t answer that because I am not God, but based on something I found, I don’t think Christ would listen to it. I read the lyrics and don’t see anything there that is negative or unholy. And the sound of the music does not seem to create feelings of negativity but of peace and tranquility.

However, hidden underneath the peaceful overtones of the song, it is revealed that the tritone does really exist in the song. I know the tritone exists in the song because I did a search and found an entire college paper written about how to play the song. It says as follows:

“It is also worth noting that the bass parts outlines a tritone between A and Eb at the return of the hypermetrical unit, which also seems to indicate that the tonal center of the chorus has shifted away from Eb major to Bb major.” Source.

Therefore it really is a rock song. And, therefore, subliminally and subtly, the negative feelings really are there, hidden, masked under peaceful overtones. It may take some serious introspection, but if you are honest with yourself, you will realize it. You will notice the hidden negative feelings weaved throughout the song. It is sad to break the illusion of my favorite song, but God is greater and more important than any song. What is better, to allow a foothold for the devil with my favorite song, or to ensure that the devil has no possible foothold with the slight disappointment of not listening to my favorite secular song? The answer to this rhetorical question is obvious.

That said, it may be my favorite secular song which I won’t listen to anymore, but there are so many more perfect and beautiful worship songs that I love even better. Surely you can find a holy song you love even better than your favorite unholy secular song. God will certainly reward you for giving up something of the world and replacing it with something of God.

In any event, even if a particular artist really does have one good song, that does not mean you should listen to all from that artist. Most likely, there are few if any secular songs that are completely holy.

Not only that, but even songs which were not aggressive or violent, even seemingly nice songs like that from 3 Doors Down or other talented artists, I found myself later throughout the day actually thinking about the things I had listened to – not the actual songs themselves, but the things in my life which I was thinking about, I was thinking about it in a similar way to the music I had listened to, and focusing on certain negative things the music lyrics said even though I hadn’t paid attention to the lyrics when listening.

If you find yourself dwelling on negative things, maybe you should be looking for the source of that. Did it come from your own mind? Or was maybe the real source the music you listened to earlier or even a few days ago? (This includes music overheard while getting groceries!) Sometimes when I was thinking about something not good, I would reflect onto what I was listening to, and discovered that it was the exact message the music which I didn’t even think I had listened to the lyrics, it had entered my head and changed my thoughts! So even though you think you are just enjoying the sounds, it is just a deception of the devil. If the words are entering your head, whether you are consciously paying attention or not, the words are speaking to your mind, and will absolutely influence you. Therefore you must avoid unholy lyrics (even about things that do not seem “bad”) even in the best sounding songs. They open up a gateway for the devil to enter into your mind and deceive you.

Rock music is not of God

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Just because we live in the world does not mean we should allow our minds to be influenced by secular things. In fact, the Bible gives us a command, “Hate what is evil, cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says, “reject every kind of evil”. Still, we are still a part of this world, and God does not want us to live as hermits alone. To do so would be to reject God’s command to spread the Word to the world.

But there is a difference between living in the world and being a part of the world. Christ told us, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). The Bible also tells us that we will be hated by the world, if we are truly of God.

If you tell someone, without any self-righteous or prideful indignation, “I cannot listen to this music”, many times you may be surprised they will respect you for your beliefs. But, it will not always be the case. Surely, in many cases people may persecute you for your choice to follow the Bible. Fear not. Jesus promised,

29 ‘”Truly I tell you,” said Jesus, “– no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions—and to receive eternal life in the age to come“‘ (Mark 10:29-30).

They may make fun of you, call you names, or even ostracize you. If that happens, you did not do wrong, if your heart was true. The Bible says that the people of the world do not understand the ways of God. 1 Corinthians 2:14 says, “The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are only discerned through the Spirit.”

You cannot expect that following the ways of God will always be a walk in the park. If you are a friend of God then you are an enemy to the world. The world hates the things of God. But if you set yourselves as a friend of the world and embrace the things of the world because you are afraid of what people thing of you, or because you love the things of the world, then you are setting yourselves as an enemy of God. Jesus said, if you are not for me then you are against me (Matthew 12:30). And the Bible says in James 4:4, “whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself and enemy of God.”

Biblical and historical evidence points to rock music as being inherently evil

So now back to the question about Rock music. Is rock music of the devil? Is it evil? According to the scriptures, yes, rock music is evil. Rock music is not of God but actually is of the devil, because anything that is not of God is of the devil. Now, there may be a couple select songs from secular artists which are innocuous. Just like there are paintings which are simply beautiful or sculptures which are beautiful. There is not a harm in enjoying something of beauty, but there is harm in enjoying something that is unholy, or beautiful only the the world but not to God. The world may consider a golden stature of Buddha to be beautiful, but God detests it. Just because something in the world is beautiful does not make it holy.

Therefore, “set yourselves apart as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). This might mean giving up music you love because you know that it is not holy. I grew up with 90s and 2000s rock music. To listen to it is to give me a feeling I like inside. However, as a discerning Christian I recognize this as a worldly lust, not as holy.

A hard rock song that gets my blood pumping in the gym might be enjoyable, but the messages spoken to my soul is ungodly, negative, and evil. Or the sad slow rock song that reminds me of times past, when I read the lyrics and recognize this as negative and ungodly, I recognize that it is not holy and as a Christian and follower of Christ I should not listen to it.

What if I’m not listening to the lyrics?

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Even though you think you are not paying attention to the lyrics, it is still going into your head and influencing you. It is not harmless words, it is a message that is teaching your mind what to think whether you like it or not. Moreover, the disharmony of the disharmonious chords of the tritone, which is rock music, is harmful to your emotional and spiritual wellbeing. This is evident from the obvious fact that people who listen to heavy metal music become angry, depressed, and even suicidal.

It may even be worse that you are not paying attention, because you are not consciously bringing these thoughts under the subjection of the will of God. This allows Satan to step in and choose for you, and bring these negative thoughts to mind – which later you might think came out of nowhere. But it was not out of nowhere, it was from the music you let enter your head. You gave the devil permission to influence you by letting that negativity into your mind.

How I listened to God by eliminating rock and ungodly music

I haven’t really listened to any negative music in years, but a few months ago I went through my ipod and deleted every artist which was not godly. I had kept a few songs but only those which were not negative at all. I had even deleted most of the Three Doors Down songs. Anything that was negative, I deleted. It amounts to tens of thousands of songs simply removed which I won’t ever listen to again. As God continued to transform me I began to recognize the negativity inherent in most secular music. (2020 Update: Since then I removed all secular songs and now listen to no rock songs whatsoever. The more that I have realized that our music affects us physically and spiritually, the more important I realized that it is to avoid listening to secular music.)

Even some Christian music is not good. And anything that is hard rock, including Christian artists like 12 Stones, and definitely everything from Red and Breaking Benjamin – these songs are not holy to listen to despite their supposed “Christian” title. And while some of my favorite songs included 30 Seconds To Mars, the truth is these songs are not good to listen to. So I deleted almost everything from my ipod. Instead, I filled it with uplifting trance and house electronic music, and worship and Christian music from various artists including Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, Chris Tomlin, and Hillsong. These are holy music to listen to. Others like Kutless which ranges from worship to hard rock, I deleted the hard rock and negative-leaning songs and kept some worship songs like “Word of God Speak”, “Strong Tower” and “Better is One Day”.

Do not become enemies of God by filling your head with evil music

hillsong-conference
Hillsong concert putting Jesus first.

There is so much great and holy worship music out there, that there is really no reason for you to continue listening to ungodly music like rock or nearly all other secular music. Bands like Hillsong, Casting Crowns, Kari Jobe, etc., there is something for everyone. Just make sure your “Christian” music artist is really speaking Christian lyrics. And if you really hate worship music – well, you probably aren’t going to like heaven very much! I can’t imagine any true Christian hating all worship music, unless they aren’t really a Christian after all. Worshiping God should be the joy of every Christian. If it isn’t, then you should take a serious look at your life and ask God is you are really saved. Or, maybe you should try listening to some other Christian worship bands. Just check out youtube for “worship music” to get some great ideas.

So what you need to do is to go to God in prayer and ask God to show you the truth and to help you to break free from the love of ungodly Christian music, and secular ungodly music talking about illicit behavior, anger, violence, hate, breakups, or anything else negative.

Also while some of the songs may be nice to listen to, maybe you should ask yourself, do you really like the music or does it just remind you of the past? And is that reminiscing worth the evil spoken into your life and potential doors opened for demons to enter into your life through your ears and your mind? It isn’t. So ask God to give you both the strength to break free from your love of music over God, and to break free from from your fear of others over your fear of God.

For Christ Jesus told us in Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell”. Do not fear others, but place your fear of God higher than your fear of others. Likewise, place your love for God higher than your love of things in the world. It doesn’t mean you have to seclude and isolate yourself from society, but you should avoid evil, avoid those who draw you into evil, and take great efforts to control your environment and what goes into your mind through you eyes and ears: for fear of both earthly consequences (by opening doors for demons to enter into your life), and for fear of eternal consequences; for friendship with the world is enmity with God.

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32 Comments

  1. Absolutely profound. I was looking for something to share with my teenage sons who though born again seemed to be gravitating towards rock music. I am confident this will enlighten him as much as it did me. Thank you so much. God bless you.

    1. I had an audio tape from a Christian missionary a few years ago, who had ministered to a tribe of people that had a witchdoctor. I do not remember if the missionary said how long it took him, but even the witch doctor accepted Jesus.

      After those people accepted Christ, the missionaries daughter were playing some Christian Rock music, loud enough that it could be heard in the village where they were staying. It was not long until the former witchdoctor came running up to their place waving his arms and got to the missionary asked the him why they were playing music to summon up the evil spirits.

      You cannot put Christian lyrics with a rock tune and make a Christian song. It does not work. You music all has to be in harmony.

  2. Hello.
    I’m going to ask this question, do you listen to classical music like Beethoven, Mozart, Tsaichovsky or any classical?

    1. Yes, some classical music seems wholesome. Try to avoid ones with a more negative overtone, even some Beethoven like Beethoven’s 5th which is strong and potentially negative, or Fur Elise which is somewhat sad.

      Meanwhile Bach’s “Air” is a wonderful song. Opera is a form of classical that could have some dark overtones, so use discretion. When in doubt, avoid it.

      With all prayerfulness approach the world with a holy and contrite heart, praying for discernment to avoid what the enemy has placed to draw us away from God. The world does not understand us because we are not of the world.

      “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:19)

      “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1 John 2:15-16)

      “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

  3. Very well written article, helped me understand the whole topic better. Negative emotions to rise from listening to the tritone, not gonna let my baby listen to it.

  4. Hey there

    I see your article is well researched and makes alot of sense but I listen to rock Christian music and it makes me feel happy. I listen to Third day. It gives happiness that hyms and all do not give me. Why is this when rock music supppsed to make me feel sad and have negative feelings?

    1. Third Day is rock, and although Christian gives the same air of rebellion as other rock music. There is also “Christian” screamo music which is all screaming. Should you listen to that? No, it is very bad on the soul, and I learned that myself when I used to listen to such music and it really messed me up during that time of my life. I can only look back in retrospect to see the damage of it.

      That said if a particular band has worship music, maybe not all of the artist is bad. Worship music like Kari Jobe of course is great.

  5. Hi,
    I just read your article and appreciate you sharing it…one question though – you mentioned not listening to Speed of Sound anymore earlier in the article and then down near the bottom you mention that it is still on your small, secular Playlist?
    Can you please clarify this?

    Thanks so much, Dori

  6. Can i listen to sad songs? I’m 100% happy bc of God but sometimes I listen to sad songs because I like how they sound and stuff.

    I recently started listening to this song called “I hope Ur happy” by Astrus*

    In one part of the lyrics it mentions something about the devil (not anything offense to Christianity.. I don’t know how to explain it) but I don’t know if I should stop listening to it or not.

    Can you look at the lyrics for me please and give me your thoughts about it?
    Thanks! <3

    1. I know some of these songs can sound good, but I looked at the lyrics and they are heavy brainwashing, I would avoid those negative ideas from being put into your head.

  7. Is listening to melodic dubstep evil or good? It’s a genre of instrumental and sometimes a few lyrics that always have something Good and Nice

    1. Based on the video I just looked up on youtube for “melodic dubstep”, I can’t see why not, but I haven’t heard very much of it. The one I just looked up was peaceful melodic electronic music which seemed fine.

      I would only watch out for things with a lot of bass. Bass and “beats” (mainly drums or electronic renditions of drumlike sounds) are used by shamans (witch doctors) to attract demons. Why are demons attracted to bass and beats? Probably because it creates disharmony and demons may be drawn to disharmony.

  8. Thank you for this article. I almost know nothing about rock music. I disliked it for a long time and later became more open minded about it.

    I’m reading “Pop goes the gospels” on this topic but it was written in 1983 and I really appreciate your view about the perfect 4th and 5th. It’s really what I feel.

    I’m surprised to read in this book that rock is before all about a kind of hypnotic, sexual music that seeks involve sexual responses and behaviours. And I’ve never felt anything like that when listening to historic rock music but as I wrote, I almost know anything about the experience of a rock music listener.

    What do you think about that ?

    1. Rock music has gotten darker over the ages. Even as far back as Elvis, Christian parents would not let their daughters watch Elvis because he did lots of gyrations and was hyper-sexualized for the time.

      Modern rock has become so overt that it’s hard to see older rock as being as bad. Yet, look what rock music even as far back as Elvis, who spawned the whole rock music fad, did to children. It turned them rebellious, caused many to run away from home, turned children away from God, and turned many to drugs and sexual immorality, even back then.

  9. Really enjoyed reading your article, I agree with all of it except for the last few paragraphs where you mentioned Hillsong and other “Christian” bands that you listen to.

    We definitely need to be careful even with worship bands because, sadly, even those bands/artists deviate from God’s Word – Hillsong is a prime example… there’s just so much deception that we need the Holy Spirit’s discernment in every aspect of our life.

    Great article otherwise though, thanks, and may the Lord bless you!

    1. First I looked up PureNRG. I saw they are signed by a label and associated with Disney. No surprise. Any signed label is going to be infected with Western liberalism and corrupted Christianity strewn throughout it. A quick look at the lyrics find the same wishy-washy “love is what makes the world go round” and “find a common ground”.

      This is both inaccurate and unbiblical. Love makes the world go around, does it? The Bible says that the “whole world” is under the kingdom of Satan (1 John 5:19), and Satan does not operate by love, but by deception (John 8:44). The Bible does not teach to find a “common ground”, but rather that evil is wicked, must be destroyed, and that all the wicked will go to hell with everlasting torment.

      PureNRG is just your typical worldly pretend-Christianity wicked perversion of biblical Christianity.

      I looked up Jump5 lyrics and it’s no different, superficial unbiblical Christianity. And this doesn’t even consider the fact that these types of music inspire rebellion against parents and the spirit of rebellion in people.

      Does it mean every single part of every single song from any secular or “mainstream” Christian music (aka the ones who have signed record labels with satanic record label owners) are all bad? Here’s what the Bible says:

      “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints”
      (Ephesians 5:3)

      “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
      (Hebrews 13:5)

      Why even have a hint of wickedness? Jesus said that if your own eye causes you to sin, it’s better to cut it off and throw it away than to enter hell.

      “And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.”
      (Matthew 18:9)

      Jesus advocated extreme measures to prevent sin. Perhaps not literally plucking out your eye, but certainly avoiding absolutely all even potentially wicked music rather than to allow your soul to be cast into hell.

      Pop is a wicked worldly type of music that is meant to brainwash the youth into worldly mentalities, superficial Christianity (for “Christian” pop), materialism, consumerism, rebellion, and other subtle ways to drive people away from real biblical truth.

      Therefore, you should not listen to this wicked music, even if it calls itself “Christian”.

      “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”
      (1 Peter 5:8)

      1. Oh, And what kind of music do you recommend me to listen to? Because I don’t know, But is that a bad message Love I thought it wasn’t, and what about other songs that they have such as pray, it’s all about you, the real thing, any which way? And all Pop music is bad? Even if these have lyrics that worship God or don’t have weird messages? I don’t quite get it and How can a song carry materialism, consumerism, rebellion when these is talking about God and Love so technically listen to these type of music is the same as listening to secular music? sorry I’m a new Christian and I’m pretty confused about this topic, I used to listen to a lot of secular music and K pops but I found out that those music have inappropriate lyrics and evil hidden messages so I stop listening to them and I decided to switch to Christian music but now I found out that the music I was listening is bad and it was Christian so I feel like I don’t know what it is right, what it’s wrong so I can’t listen to music with a good beat. And when I listen to Radio of Pure NRG I understand they were talking about God because God is Love right? And as God is love we don’t have to fight or mistreat other people and just love each other the way that God does, of course obeying God and keeping God’s commandments that’s the way I understand that song and I didn’t know that PureNRG we’re signed with a label associated with Disney, I do know that Jump5 has performed, and even made covers of Disney songs but I figured out now that Disney is not a good thing but that means that even positive songs are bad like: call on Jesus, God bless the USA? I don’t know not all singers are going to be perfect, so if they are singing something that worships God and I’m a true Christian and I’m doing it because I want to honor God in everything I do and I’m trying to live my life according to the Bible is that a sin? I’m confused I don’t know I feel like I don’t even want to listen to music anymore
        Another question so all secular music is bad even if it doesn’t carry a bad message? I don’t know ????

        1. Its impossible to answer if all secular music is bad. There are millions of songs. The best thing is that if the music has lyrics, it does not contain drums (used by witch doctors to summon spirits), and the lyrics are scriptural. Best not to trust in random music artists, but instead trust God, and worship using scriptural songs.

          If the lyrics contain things about the world like materialism, rebellion, feminism, independence, self-centered ideas, or anything that is not of God, it is best for a Christian to avoid it. Why let the devil speak to your heart?

          In heaven there will be no rock music, only worship music to the living God.

      2. I am in terrible bondage.As a teen I rebelled against a holy God.I listened to rock music,went to clubs,fornicated and did everything my heavenly father told me not to do.I married an unbeliever,had a child and ended up on welfare.I was raised in alcoholism and poverty.Everyone that i knew had been to jail or to a drug rehab.I am married to a christian man now,but am still seeing darkness whereever I go.If I draw a boundary I get cussed out.I am trying so hard to walk a holy life.I have been sexually abused all of my life.

  10. and I thought that the common ground that they were referring was that we all need the Love of God, and faith specially we all need Jesus but I don’t know I’m confused I feel blue because I was thinking and I was doing the right thing by switching secular music to Christian music but Oh my I’m making mistakes and more mistakes I don’t even know what to do and what to think about christian music, or secular music, because for me it seems or at least I was listening to the music thinking about Jesus, specially Pure NRG such as worship you, sweet Jesus , the real thing and it’s all about you ??? I don’t know if I have been sinning doing that

    1. Satan has weaved a web in the world to trap all those who seek God with his many tricks. “Christian” rock music is one of those traps. You were not sinning, but it can be harmful to you. You are only sinning if you know what you are doing is wrong and do it anyway. But if you wander into moving traffic, it may not be sin, but you can get hurt. So don’t put yourself in harm’s way needlessly.

      1. Ok, thank you. But I don’t quite get that PureNRG songs are bad or superficial christianity because they have songs that have good lyrics and biblical as far as I know. I’m not quite sure as I said, that’s the reason why I’m asking. I’m a new christian and I’d like to know if a song like “thy word “ is a bad song or Sweet Jesus, inside out, worship you, before the sun goes down, and other songs that they have because that’s where I’m confused that you say, their lyrics are bad, and I don’t quite get it. Please, could you please explain me what’s wrong with those lyrics? Another thing is that you are talking about PureNRG that their lyrics are evil, superficial christianity, but you recommended Hillsong, and I love a few hillsong’s songs . However, I have heard people say that their songs are not good and are against the bible. they say bunch of things about Hillsong and I have stopped listening to Hillsong, PureNRG, and jump5 because as I said, I looked those songs because I want to honor God in everything I do, but if God doesn’t like the music that I’m listening to, then why should I listen to christian music in the first place ? right?. You also say that all rock music is evil, no matter if it’s christian, but you recommended to listen to casting crowns which is a rock christian band and I love some songs of casting crowns as well, but I’m afraid to listen to them even though the lyrics are good. Definitely I’m more confused than before. I will keep praying so that the Lord can give me wisdom to discern what is right and wrong because I don’t know.
        Thank you, by the way for taking the time to answer my long comments.
        God bless you.

        1. Some songs from some artists may be good, but only worship songs. The most important thing to remember is that we are not to pursue the flesh and worldly pleasures. Would it not be better to enter heaven without listening to any music, than to listen to all the music you wanted but enter hell?

          What you should do is crucify the flesh, and submit to God, and stop pursuing worldly pleasures, and then you will see clearly about what is holy or not.

          Until you crucify the flesh and bring the flesh under subjection, and stop pursuing worldly pleasures, there will always be a conflict where one part of you wants to be holy, but the other part tries to justify worldly pleasures.

          There are a couple songs from Casting Crowns that are good. I am not saying you should listen to all of their songs. Hillsong has a few good songs, but again, not saying all their songs are good either.

          But really I recommend ONLY worship songs, without drums, which sound pleasant, and honor and worship God. Or, songs which are pleasant with no lyrics, like classical. Or, some electronic without drums or heavy bass. Or, just listen to no music.

          You don’t need music to live a holy and righteous life. When Jesus was on earth, there were no drums, and the songs they listened to were live, sung in worship to God, probably either without instruments, or with soft instruments like the harp or the flute.

          So if Jesus and the disciples could survive without digital music, and without drums which are satanic, and without rock music which is satanic, and without bands like PureNRG and others, then you can live without them just fine as well.

  11. Hello, I’ve heard a song that sound like rock music written by Matt Redman called “Beautiful News”. Does it fall into this kind of evil oriented song ? It surprized me because I thought he only used to sing more classical worship song like “10 000 reasons”.

    1. I can’t and wouldn’t want to listen to the millions of songs out there one by one to approve or not, I don’t think that’s the point of this. I think it’s fair to say if there are drums or heavy bass, then you should avoid because these attract demons. And if the lyrics are unbiblical, then you shouldn’t listen. But remember, this isn’t about what’s “allowed”, it’s about what’s good for you and what’s righteous for you as a Christian. Bad music is bad for your soul and corrupts your mind and thereby distances you from God and His purpose for your life.

  12. I get what you mean, and I know I don’t need music to live; what I need is Jesus. But I’m confused because if you say that a song has bad lyrics, that means that I cannot not use the words of a song because the words they are using in the song are bad. Does that make sense? For instance, if a song by PureNRG says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. That means even if I’m not singing, saying those words is bad because, as far as I know, singing is not a sin, right ? That’s where I was confused. You say that PureNRG songs are unbiblical, but I know that some of their songs are even verses from the bible, like “Thy word”. That’s where I was confused and that was the reason why I said I don’t know what is right or wrong, because if saying that God’s word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path is evil, then what is right? I hope that makes sense. Another thing is that I thought if I wanted to listen to Christian music, that was not a worldly desire because it is music that honors God, but if I wanted to listen to whatever music, despite if it’s a good song or a bad song, just because I wanted to, I thought that was a worldly desire because if I wanted to listen to Christian music, it’s because I want to fill my mind with good things that honor God, like Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, I will live my life to worship God, what a beautiful name, it is the name of Jesus Christ, or God’s love is wonderful. Because when I was listening to PureNRG, Jump5, and Hillsong, those songs were the first Christian songs in English I listened to, and they motivated me to become a true Christian and live my life for God and not to please myself. I thought, at least I have made many changes in my life since then, and those songs were part of the process. Of course, reading my bible and praying are what have helped me the most.

    Anyway, I will pray about it and ask God for guidance so that he will be the one who tells me what I should do about it. If he did it in the past when I was listening to music that was no good at all, and he opened my eyes and made me see the truth, he will certainly do it now.
    Thank you for everything and sorry for all the questions.

    1. I would say the same to you as I just said to Elna, check out that comment. It’s not about this song or that, it’s about the principle, and doing what is good for your mind and soul as a Christian, and avoiding drums and heavy bass which attract demons. And as you said, it was reading the Bible and praying and spending time with God which was what had the biggest influence on making you more passionate with following God. Hope it helps!

    2. keith Green,the imperials,old seventies christian music,get rid of all secular music.years ago they did a study of how rock music affects plants.They die,as our brains and souls die when listening to lustful music.I was listening to prince,shakka khan,whitney houston,all of these people are addicts.michael jackson was a child predator and an addict.If you dance to the music,you gotta pay the piper.Buying rock music is not being a good stward.They are depressed,suicidal and countless young people are going to hell because of breaking the first commandment,idolatry.They will call you judgemental,but these rock Gods show you what they are,the y use filthy language,live hedonistic lifestyles and are going to hell in a hand basket themselves.It takes years to cleanse yourself from all unrighteousness.Guard your heart,for out of it flows the issues of life.

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