Monday, 3rd July, 2023
Bible Reading: 1 John 2: 15-17
Memory Verse: Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 1 John 2:15 (NLT)
Minister Joshua Mike-Bamiloye wrote an interesting piece on this subject needed for the body of Christ. Be blessed: “Now, first I want us to expand the concept of “secular” which means “not connected with religious or spiritual matters. A University of Ibadan (UI), Oxford, etc, are secular institutions. NatGeo, CNN, etc are secular channels; unlike TBN, Dove TV etc. Now to music.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star; National Anthem, wedding/birthday songs, etc, are examples of secular songs. Now we understand the word “secular”. There is a branch of secular that we Christians call “Worldly”. What do we tag as Worldly? “For everything in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–comes not from the Father but the world.” 1 John 2:16.
So, therefore whatever promotes any of the attributes in 1 John 2:1 i.e. whatever counters our faith, whatever preaches immorality/lust, whatever goes against the features of Philippians 4:8, etc, these are secular songs, but more precisely WORLDLY-Secular songs. So, ALL worldly songs are secular, but NOT ALL secular songs are worldly. I hope we got that.
So, the question is should Christians listen to secular songs? Here’s my opinion. Since we’ve established secular to mean “not connected to religion or spiritual matters”, it’s safe to say that AS CHRISTIANS, Non-worldly-secular songs are like junk food. I call them that because eating them now and then though isn’t beneficial to your (spiritual) health and won’t kill either, but having them in large quantities (compared to the quantity of healthy food) OR living off of them ALONE is dangerous to your health and can lead to death. That’s basic.
This also means that the healthiest way is to simply do without them and stick to fresh foods i.e “gospel/Christian music” because music draws your attention (consciously or subconsciously) to its topics. As a Christian, you’ll be better off drawn to God’s presence more often than to any other. Worldly-Secular music on the other hand is drops of poison to your spirit man. Music is the only element that gains access to your heart and spirit without your permission.
Quote: A likeness of sin is most probable a sin
Prophetic Decree: May your heart be detached from the dainties this world, in Jesus name.
Prayer Focus
1. Sing the Song: Lord prepare me, a sanctuary…..
2. Refiner’s fire, refine my heart today, in Jesus name.
3. Blood of Jesus, laminate my heart in Jesus name.
4. I receive grace to set my affections only on the things of heaven, in Jesus name.
5. I receive the Spirit of self control, in Jesus name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Kings 5-8