Should Christians Listen to Secular Music? Is It a Sin?
How Should Christians Approach Secular Music?
Whether or not to listen to secular music is primarily about the song’s content, not the music itself. If the song’s message is one that is pure and honorable, such as a daughter’s love for her dad, then listen away. If the song glorifies sin, then run away. Even more, those asking this question should make sure they are not seeking to keep one foot in the world while trying to follow Jesus. And above all, listen to the Holy Spirit. If there is doubt in your heart about whether a song is acceptable, avoid it.
This and other questions like it can be a challenge for new believers. There is no clear “thou shalt not” concerning secular music. In the absence of specific direction, we must look to more general biblical principles to be our guide.
Question the Message, not the Melody
Part of what it means to be created in the image of God is that we ourselves are driven by the impulse to create. Music is just one natural outcome of that drive. Generally speaking, no arrangement of notes, beats, melodies and harmonies is inherently sinful. God created music, and He gave us ears and minds to be able to appreciate it.
The heart of this question focuses on the message of the song itself as written in its lyrics. Unless the artist or band is overtly Christian, it is unlikely that a secular song will seek to glorify God directly with its message. When discerning whether a song is “acceptable” for a believer, two verses in particular can be helpful.
Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,
whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—
if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—
dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God,
insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil,
disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
Although they know full well God’s just sentence—
that those who practice such things deserve to die—
they not only do them, but even applaud others who practice them.
Romans 1:30-32 (emphasis added)
Is the Song Pure and Honorable?
Is the song in question pure and honorable? I am not a fan of the style of country music, but one of the best examples of a pure and honorable secular song is “Daddy’s Hands” by Holly Dunn. In this song, the artist honors her dad as one who loved his family, worked hard to provide for them, and disciplined his children when necessary.
Both in the artist’s respect for her dad and in the kind of man that he was, this song is true and commendable. Paul, the writer of both Philippians and Romans, says we should dwell on such things.
Does the Song Glorify Sin?
On the other end of the spectrum, does the song glorify sin? Romans 1:32 is the last verse in a judgment pronounced on a depraved people, starting in verse 18. At the end of describing a wicked world that refused to acknowledge God, he adds to the list of their transgressions praising the sin that others committed.
You do not have to search long to find secular music that glorifies sin. Recording artists have glamorized drugs, sex outside of marriage, murder, greed and much more for decades. It is not enough simply to avoid these sinful activities. Those who listen to such music are giving their approval to the messages of those songs, something Paul specifically speaks against. As believers, we should avoid such music.
There is a Deeper Question
Many believers at one time or another struggle with what a Christian life “should” look like. Some, if they are honest with themselves, will admit they are really asking the question, “How much of my old life can I hang on to and still follow Jesus?” When considering whether or not to listen to certain music, play certain games, or engage in certain activities, the deeper question you must ask yourself is, “Does this glorify God?”
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory. 1 Corinthians 10:31
As believers, we should not be trying to live part of the time for Jesus and part of the time for ourselves. We have been crucified with Christ (Galatians 2:20), and we are called to put to death the deeds of our worldly nature (Colossians 3:5).
Listen to the Spirit
Finally, if a specific song is not clearly pure and honorable or clearly glorifying sin, you need to be sensitive to subtle leadings of the Holy Spirit. If you doubt whether or not you should listen to a particular song or artist, then don’t do it. When we doubt God’s permission on an action and yet do it anyway, we bring condemnation on ourselves. As Paul tells us in Romans 14:23, “whatever does not come from faith is sin.”