On the issue of Rock Music

For years I struggled with the issue or rock music, and I guess for me, it isn't really solved yet. I became a Christian about 11 years ago. After the first year or so, I started thinking a great deal about rock music and the place it had in my life. I decided that secular music was definatly out for me, there was nothing about it that helped me focus on God.

Unfortunately, that didn't solve my situation. Whenever I listened to non Christian music, I found myself devolping several physical reactions. These included uncontrolable shaking and a sort of sense of fear. It's not something I can describe well. I attended a number of Christian youth events that involved rock concerts and sometimes I felt these same reactions even though the performers where Christians (or supposed to be - I guess only God knows if they actually were).

One occassion was particularly bad. The group that were performing set these symptoms off and at one stage they started singing a secular song (I was later told that they had changed some of the words - mind you, it was so loud no-one could tell) during this song the shaking got really bad and a couple of my friends had the sense to get me out of there.

Things got so bad that I almost stopped breathing and it was only through prayer that I was helped.

I have no doubt that what I experienced was from God. I am a very committed Christian and a musician. I know what music can do. Music is a way that we communicate, it is even a way that I pray. Music speaks to the soul.

I know that there are a lot of very good Christian musicians out there. I listen to a lot of them, but there is certain music that I believe is not from God. Music with a beat is not a problem in itself, but I truely believe that satan can use that. Music that is loud enough to be felt is a good example. Have you ever sat in a concert where you can feel the beat? Have you ever noticed that it affects your heart rate?? I have.

Music with a heavy beat can easily stir up powerful emotions, just as music can be soothing, it can be destructive. I could go on for ever, but I'll sum up in saying: "Can you imagine Jesus sitting with you when you are listening to music you're not sure about" Would Jesus be pleased about what He was hearing?

I want you to realize that I am not trying to tell people they shouldn't be listening to rock music - I honestly don't think that Christians should listen to secular music - it does nothing for building on our relationship with God. As for that of Christian performers - ask yourself what would Jesus do

May God guide you.