is it wrong to listen to rap and randB

[dedrums]

being a musician or a member of the praise team or even the mom
is it wrong to listen to RandB song and Rap song. should you not
be able to minister if you listen to any other music other than
gospel music. May God bless

[DrummerBoyGil]

I'm probably not the one who should be answering this question, but the way I feel about it is that you can listen to whatever you want, it just depends on what effect you let it have on you. For example, you can listen to rap so long as your not out on the street actin' up and cussin' and such. Same with other songs. You should always strive to be like Him and not like these other false visions in the world.

But don't listen to me, I could be leading you wrong and I wouldn't want to do that  

[Eggs]

Philippians 4:8 (King James Version)

   Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.


Be careful,

Everything that you listen to will influence you in some way.  I am not criticizing you, I'm just giving you some good advice.  Ask yourself... would Jesus listen to this?

(There is some good Christian rap music out there)

God bless,
Eggs

[Nosrevi]

Honestly, I feel that one way or another, we hear "R&B music" 50% of the time we're listening to gospel. There are quite a few R&B artists that I have found myself listening to that do not discuss those "issues" that we ourselves don't need to be involved with. I do like to listen to mainly "neo-soul" quite a bit because mainstream music and gospel are like 2nd cousins. i.e. Ray Charles. Gospel is very influential on R&B and vice versa. I think listening to R&B as musical reference is not 'wrong'. However, as with ALL THINGS, we must use discernment and sift through the nonsense and know when enough is enough.  :wink:

[philly_b-3]

Well I'm not tryin to knock anyone to each its own but I'm just a young man who is old school. The Bible says "come from among them and Be ye seperated". I dont think that just means physically if we listen to the same music then were not seperated and also its not givin glory to God. But thats just my personal conviction you must be lead by God. I hope you just pray and ask God WWJD.

[thesouldoctor]

I agree with Eggs (and the Word) on this one. Only things that are honest, pure....basicly all the things that God would get glory from, and build up the inner man, should we set our minds on. I used to be real big on the neo-soul thing until I really realized that only what you do for Christ will last. If it is for the glory of God, pursue it; otherwise, don't do it.

[Razzman]

Garbage in garbage out.....first it is the lyrics that are going to influence the way you think and live. The music behind it may be kik'in an grov'in but what is the message, thats what you need to be concerned about.
There is a ton of christian artist these days that cover all music styles.

remember the battle is for the mind.   :twisted:  are you making your decisions according to the Holy Spirit that dwells in you or according to your flesh or outward senses.

Choose life

[cecil573]

I don't think there is anything wrong with listening to any other types of music.  The style of gospel music was derived from various other styles i.e. jazz, country and various other styles.  The problem is when we alow what we hear to influence our lives.   You can still listen to rap or r&b but don't let what you hear separate you from God.  I redo r&b and hip hop songs and make them gospel.  You can use worldly things to draw worldly people then hit then with the word when they least expect it.  This is some thing that I had to do a lot of praying on.  My suggestion is not to listen to the post that you read but pray and fast on it for yourself.

Rev Cecil Ramey
Be blessed or else!

[4hisglory]

You can use worldly things to draw worldly people then hit then with the word when they least expect it.  

This, IMO, is HORRIBLE advice!!  If this is the direction we are getting, it no wonder the church is in the state it is today.

[SisterT]

You can use worldly things to draw worldly people then hit then with the word when they least expect it.  

This, IMO, is HORRIBLE advice!!  If this is the direction we are getting, it no wonder the church is in the state it is today.

I hear ya Darryl.

So I can use a worldy thing, like strippers night, to draw in worldly people, and then hit them with the Word of God. The only person who schemes and uses tricks is the trickster himself, satan.

If we entice people with worldly things, we would be guilty of tempting others to sin. That is NOT my goal in life.

We don't need to trick people, lie to people, are falsely present ourselves to people in order to get them saved.

[Eggs]

Amen.


Sometimes it's hard to believe the things I hear.  We all need to get to know the Word better, because the Word is Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Never waver, never compromise.  The only way to "draw" folk to Christ, is to lift Him up.  That's what He said.


End of story.

God bless,
Eggs

[funkyfingaz]

Amen 4 hisGlory, Sister T and Eggs! We also have to remember that Music is a spiritual thing. Many say its okay to listen to R&B and rap because Jazz and Blues birthed Gospel. Which is incorrect! The blues scale and the major scales is where American traditional southern gospel music came from and those scales are where we create Jazz and Blues and reggae and etc. Music in general share the same scales and that’s where the similarity in sound come from. The spiritual influences on the music is what makes the difference. A member of a well known band in the early 80's once said u never take the songs in the world and use it for God's Glory...He said some songs we used to shoot heroin for days so we can get an inspiration! Many artists today still do the same thing. Ex. Cash money Millionaires (rap group) Who inspires these artists when they take these hallucinogens? We know its not the Holy Spirit that needs to get someone high so they can create music. Obviously the father of lies Satan is the inspirer. As we discussed in earlier posts, Satan was the chief musician in heaven and he’s still a musician. The scriptures never said he lost his ability to create music. But now he needs a earthen vessel like you and me to work through…thus we have secular music that brings no glory to the creator but to things that are contrary to the word of God. So is it okay to listen to R&B and rap? The fact that your questioning says that you feel that little burning inside of you…you hear that small, still voice whispering to you but you quench him. That’s the Holy Ghost leading you on the paths of righteousness. Listen to him and he will lead you into all truth! And that’s where you can begin to create sanctified, fresh original music. You don’t need to take no R Kelly, Earth Wind and Fire songs and do them over so God’s people can glorify God. Let the Anointing be your inspirer. (1 John 2:27)

[Nosrevi]

You can use worldly things to draw worldly people then hit then with the word when they least expect it.  

This, IMO, is HORRIBLE advice!!  If this is the direction we are getting, it no wonder the church is in the state it is today.

I agree that you don't "use wordly things to draw in wordly people". However, I believe what he is saying, and correct if Im wrong cecil573, is that, whether we want to admit it or not, times are changing. Our purpose on this earth is to glorify God and the saving of souls. People we are entering 2005, and quite frankly, as bad as this may sound, Rev. James Cleveland, and Rev. Timothy Wright is not going to bring in the souls off the street. Although I LOVE the above mentioned, (God bless their souls), we as DILIGENT Saints, must find innovative ways to attract the less enlightened souls. Too many times I feel we tend to drive towards backsliders and older saints who are too traditional, etc.  while those who have absolutely NO IDEA about the Lord Jesus Christ are left out to dry. I feel that we can attract younger ppl, more ignorant ppl, and even members of other religous groups with appealing means without compromising our integrity and our righteousness. Those who are unwilling to step out their comfort zone and look at reality need to sit down and rethink their purpose in life.[/b]

[hammondboi627]

I BEING A 16 YR. OLD ORGAN PLAYER LISTEN TO R&B AND RAP BECAUSE OF THE SIMPLE FACT THA I AM YOUNG AND I LIKE TAHT KIND OF MSIC, BUT U I ONLY LISTEN TO THE BEATS AND STUFF NOT THE WORDS BECAUSE THE WORDS CAN SLIP RIGHT INTO YOUR HEAD AND MAY NOT EVEN RECOGNIZE IT UNTIL U CATCH YOURSELF SINGIN IT.  THAT IS THE TRICKY PART.   ANOTHER THING,  ANY OF YOU LISTEN TO OLD TIME PEOPLE LIKE RICK JAMES OR THE COMMODORES.  MANY ARTISTS LIKE KIRK FRANKLIN AND THE WILLIAMS BROTHERS ARE UTILIZING THEIR SKILLS TO GO BACK AND LISTEN TO THE MUSIC AND REARRANGE IT INTO GOSPEL, BUT MANY PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE IT.  sO I GUESS IT IS OKAY TO LISTEN TO IT JUST DON'T GET CAUGHT UP IN THE DEVILS GAME BECAUSE HE IS OUT TO KILL AND DESTROY AND STEAL.  WE CHRISTIANS HAVE ALOT TO LOOK UP TO AND WE NEED TO THANK THE LORD FOR LETTING US SEE A BRAND NEW DAY AND WE SHOULD OPEN OUR EARS TO WHAT GOD HAS TO SAY TO US FOR THAT DAY, NOT WHAT LIL JOHN OR THE YING YANG TWINS WANT US TO SAY.  SO BE WISE AND STAY STRONG!!!

[B3Wannabe]

...BUT U I ONLY LISTEN TO THE BEATS AND STUFF NOT THE WORDS

This is like saying, "I buy Playboy, but I only read the articles".

I wonder, how can you seperate the words from the music. The mind works in mysterious ways. You may not hear the words consciously, but subconsciously, they're as clear as day. It's like reading. Do you have to sound out each letter when you read? No. I would guess the same applies to our ears. We just filter what we want to consciously pay attention to. This is the science explanation of why I feel it's wrong. The spiritual one, for me, would be: If you, personally feel it's wrong; it's wrong. Deep down, we know what's right and wrong. Sometimes, though, we try to get people to convince us that our truths are lies.

[Lysha]

also, when you listen to rap the words get stuck in your head and you can't hear the Holy Spirit.  i think rap is so popular because some of the beats are almost hypnotic. Just my 2 cents

[funkyfingaz]

ARGUMENT - I don't listen to the words, I just like the beats/music.

RESPONSE - Your subconscience records everything! You may try to block out the lyrics, but you cannot stop them from being recorded into your mind. Your mind can even record backwards messages. It has been scientifically proven that your mind is so clever that, even when you aren't trying to, you can receive the information that is stated in the lyrics of music. Even if it is recorded backwards. And it affects you! When you listen to sex, sex, sex, or murder, murder, murder, those are things that will come out of you in the heat of the moment. They are programmed in your mind without your consent.

PROOF - How many TV commercial jingles do you know? And how many of those did you actually learn purposely? Your answer is probably that you never intended to learn them, but because they played in your mind, you learned them without putting forth any effort. Now, where do you think the foul messages from Hip Hop are going when you listen to them?

SCRIPTURE - Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

This is from Minister G. Craige Lewis' website..A man whom God gave revelation on the whole Hip Hop, secular music thing. Everyone here should read the information on his site. http://www.exministries.com

[Eggs]

Saints,


We are discussing music, but what we are really talking about here is the "message" in the music.

If you take a worldly hip-hop tune, and change the words, so what?  When I hear that music, I hear the original.... don't matter what you say on top of that music.

When I hear "I believe I Can Fly" in a church setting, I think of R. Kelly, not Jesus.  I love Kirk Franklin's music, but I think he should have left "Brighter Day" to Bill Withers, or whoever.

When you do this type of thing, you are sending a mixed message.  The message says that God's people don't have enough creativity to write our own stuff.  The message is that we need to partner with the enemy to get our message across.

Yes, we do need to keep up with the times.  But I don't think we need to use wordly means.  In Christ, we have the power to create through the Holy Spirit.  In Christ we have the LOVE, and without the LOVE, it's all for naught.

And yes, we need to know what our youth are listening to.  That's part of "occupying"... but don't feed it back to them in any way.  Show them a whole new thing, in Christ.  He said "Behold, I make all things new".

Preach the gospel full and free!  Don't borrow anything from the world.  Create a new sound that no one has heard before!  Right Gieres?

Don't sound like anybody else!

God bless
Eggs

[Eggs]

Sorry,

I meant "Lovely Day", not "Brighter Day".  My bad.  

God bless,
Eggs

[ATLPianoPlaya]

Hello Saints of God!

I didn't think I would post a response, but as a Child of the King, I feel that in everything I do, I must represent him well.  

I have read most of or  all of the posts on this particular topic, some I agree with and some I don't agree with.   This is how I feel on the subject...

As I said earlier, in am in the mind frame that in everything I do, I MUST represent Christ well.  Its extremely hard, because the Satan is busy.  Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  I don't listen to rap music.  However, I do listen to R & B.  I don't find anything wrong with listening to the music.  Granted, I don't listen to a lot of it, but nonetheless I do.  It does NOT affect my relationship with Jesus..."What God has brought together, let NO MAN, WOMAN, PERSON, PLACE, THING, or IDEA, tear it apart, and that's exactly what happens.  I can't speak for anybody but who?  ME.

For those of you who say its not possible for someone to listen to the music and not to the words of a song, your wrong.  It is possible.  I do it all the time.

I will say this "Be strong in the Lord, and Represent Him well!"