How Do You feel..

[EBChurchLady]

I know for me, I LOVE music & always have, so I have the tunes going all the time. But I found that the longer I walked with the Lord, the harder it was for me to feel comfortable listening to secular music. For me, it wasn't so much of a "this sounds trashy so I can't listen to it"...the vulgar stuff wasn't even what I was listening to B4 Christ.

It was more like, "Ok, there's nothing negative in this song, but then again, there's nothing positive in it either." Why settle for neutral when there's so much awesome Christian music out there? I don't know about y'all, but there's a lot of negative coming at us every day...I need all the help I can to be able to "think on things that are lovely & holy & of good report."

I'm not saying every song by a Christian artist is great...I think we need to be discriminating about that, too. And there have been secular songs pointed out in this thread that may be good ones (I don't know them), but for me...all I listen to is Christian...not dogmatically; it just happens to be what helps me keep my focus. (Then again; God removed TV from my life, too...another focus factor for me.) 

Whatever you're listening to; let it be a matter between you & the Lord. Don't let other people & especially not denominational rules be the deciding factor.

[LaylaMonroe]

For the most part, I only listen to gospel, but I'm not opposed to listening to secular music.  On a rare occasion, a secular song from the 80s or 90s will pop into my head and I'll want to hear or sing it.  In that instance, I'll play it or sing it.     But, as for my day-to-day listening/singing habits, it's gospel only.

I don't see anything wrong with listening to secular, for those who are mature enough to select their music carefully, and for those who aren't convicted by the HG for listening to it.  Honestly, I can't front... it's not even a spiritual thing for me.  I just prefer gospel music.    I LOVE gospel music.  It's all I want to hear, usually.  And it has nothing to do with the spiritual, it's just the music I love.  Gospel feeds my spirit.  Secular is like junk food - it tastes (feels) good, but it doesn't provide any nourishment.

[Fenix]

Since the bible doesn't clearly say what kind of music we can and can't listen to, it all comes down to our personal relationship and walk with God.  Each person is responsible for their own choices and decisions, bottom line.

Hallelujah!!!

I will not say its wrong to listen to secular but many saints struggle because they don't want to let go of some of these rnb artists. [font=]Among other things.[/font]

You.Are.PREACHIN!!!!!! E-BE-BE-SHANDOSHAMA!!!!!!!

I stopped listening to Rap, RnB and all that stuff a WHILE back. I even stopped listening to stuff in my native language that wasn't Christian focused or had vulgarity in it (this took me a bit longer cuz, for some crazy reason, you can always justify listening to vulgar stuff in your native language, right? <crickets chirping>)

Anyhoo...

My main reason was that it just felt uncomfortable after a while. I used to love DMX, Nas, Fifty-Cent, R-Kelly...now i don't even have any clue what those dudes are up to anymore. It was a slow phasing away until i found myself not even desiring to hear them anymore. I never knew i would reach this stage. I do find myself going back to Wyclef once in a while cuz i love his guitar stuff.

Also from a musician's perspective i don't desire to play those songs so why even bother listening to them eh?

[cordney]

I used to love DMX, Nas, Fifty-Cent, R-Kelly...now i don't even have any clue what those dudes are up to anymore.

I listen to R. Kelly because I think he is a musical genius, not saying every song he makes is quality but who else could make a song about his "Hairbraider" and so on.  Alot of times it isn't the lyrics that I listen for; it's the music being played.

[themidiroom]

 While I feel more of a connection with gospel music than I do with secular, I often have similar complaints with both when it comes to artist compromising in order to sell more units.  Since I do have a studio and cater to all kinds of music, I listen to a variety of music if for nothing more than to be familiar with it so I can provide my clients with a sound that is appropriate for their genre.  I was raised on 60's and 70's soul and jazz, so I will always love and appreciate that music.

[T-Block]

I feel like it's my business what I listen to and what I don't.  And anyone who disagrees with my choice can go suck a pickle, LOL.  J/K bout dat last part, but yall know what I'm trying to say.

[Fenix]

I feel like it's my business what I listen to and what I don't.  And anyone who disagrees with my choice can go suck a pickle, LOL.  J/K bout dat last part, but yall know what I'm trying to say.

No, T-Block, i do not know what you are trying to say. Please elaborate. 

[T-Block]

No, T-Block, i do not know what you are trying to say. Please elaborate. 

Basically, I could care less what anyone else has to say about my musical choice(s).

[Fenix]

Basically, I could care less what anyone else has to say about my musical choice(s).

T man, that is one of the reasons i really like you. I was being sarcastic but you are so innocent and guileless, you missed it.

[T-Block]

T man, that is one of the reasons i really like you. I was being sarcastic but you are so innocent and guileless, you missed it.

Yeah, I missed it, but I see it now. 

[themidiroom]

I was being sarcastic but you are so innocent and guileless, you missed it.

Fenix was being sarcastic?  I've got to write this down on my calendar. 

[Fenix]

Fenix was being sarcastic?  I've got to write this down on my calendar. 

Ninja please

[under13]

I feel like it's my business what I listen to and what I don't.  And anyone who disagrees with my choice can go ...

+1

Most of what I listen to is secular. Some of it is vulgar. I think it depends on the individual, and how strong their faith is. Just because I listen to something doesnt make me wanna do all the things that they are singing about.

Even excluding the vulgar stuff, there is too much good music out there to limit yourself to just gospel.

[SirTJ]

I love Gospel music. Point blank. I have some secular tunes in my library, but they only see the light of day maybe once or twice a month. Hearing Jimmy sing about "Oooh baby, baby I love yoooouuu" just doesn't appeal to me as much as hearing Hezekiah sing "How Wonderful is Your Name" (Or in this case, Juanita Bynum...since that's the version I'm listening to right now) and being able to lift my hands in praise and relation.

[under13]

"How Wonderful is Your Name" (Or in this case, Juanita Bynum...since that's the version I'm listening to right now) and being able to lift my hands in praise and relation.

We did that song for mothers day. I was thinking about posting the video on youtube. Havent decided yet.

[Fenix]

I love Gospel music. Point blank. I have some secular tunes in my library, but they only see the light of day maybe once or twice a month. Hearing Jimmy sing about "Oooh baby, baby I love yoooouuu" just doesn't appeal to me as much as hearing Hezekiah sing "How Wonderful is Your Name" (Or in this case, Juanita Bynum...since that's the version I'm listening to right now) and being able to lift my hands in praise and relation.

I highly suggest you preach it.

[nessalynn77]

+1

Most of what I listen to is secular. Some of it is vulgar. I think it depends on the individual, and how strong their faith is. Just because I listen to something doesnt make me wanna do all the things that they are singing about.

Even excluding the vulgar stuff, there is too much good music out there to limit yourself to just gospel.

I wouldn't call it limiting myself.  Just valuing what I feed my mind and my spirit.  

If you don't believe in living a vulgar life, and don't believe one should do the things depicted in the song or behave the way the artists behave, then you are saying one thing with your faith, and doing another in your actual life.  That's simply a conflict of interest.

 You think yourself strong because you feel you have liberty to listen to anything no matter how vulgar it is.  I think of the person as strong who has that liberty but chooses to think better of themselves-- and knows that they were not made to be a receptacle for vulgarity and obscenity labeled as art, but are a vessel of honor.  

[SirTJ]

We did that song for mothers day. I was thinking about posting the video on youtube. Havent decided yet.

Funny you should say that. I was searching Youtube this morning looking for some choirs who have videos posted singing the song. I only came up with Bishop Ellis' Greater Grace Temple.

So in other words...post it. 

[sjonathan02]

I wouldn't call it limiting myself.  Just valuing what I feed my mind and my spirit.  

If you don't believe in living a vulgar life, and don't believe one should do the things depicted in the song or behave the way the artists behave, then you are saying one thing with your faith, and doing another in your actual life.  That's simply a conflict of interest.

You think yourself strong because you feel you have liberty to listen to anything no matter how vulgar it is.  I think of the person as strong who has that liberty but chooses to think better of themselves-- and knows that they were not made to be a receptacle for vulgarity and obscenity labeled as art, but are a vessel of honor. 

Nice. 

[SirTJ]

You think yourself strong because you feel you have liberty to listen to anything no matter how vulgar it is.  I think of the person as strong who has that liberty but chooses to think better of themselves-- and knows that they were not made to be a receptacle for vulgarity and obscenity labeled as art, but are a vessel of honor. 

*Dropkicks Nessa out of the puplit*

You Better PREASH! That was reaaaal good.