Can I listen to secular music?

Doesn't matter what I think. Let's go back to Scripture. See Galatians 5 below --

"16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy,[d] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

Thus, if your music causes sexual immorality, impurity, jealousy, anger, etc., then yes, I would agree with you. Stay away from this music. However, I don't think this is where you were going.

Just since the music doesn't have Christian lyrics does not mean that it's bad. That's like saying just because something is not in the Bible means that it's not true. For example, the Pythagorean Theorem is not ever mentioned in the Bible, but it's still true.

If I sing love songs to my wife, do they have to be from Song of Solomon? (If so, the lyrics would be quite racy.) Or does it make much more sense to sing something more current - and much more relative?

Bottom line, music is a gift from God. Enjoy it.

 

A lot of people think I'm weird because I don't, in MY house or MY car, allow for any music that is not Christian music. If you don't like that, then you don't have to ride in my car or come into my house. And unless I'm at the gym where I don't have any control over what they play, I don't listen to secular music.

I'm a firm believer in that what you put in will come out when you're squeezed. And I've noticed in my short time here on this earth that a lot of Christians, when they are squeezed, tend to cuss a lot or do things that aren't exactly a right representation of Christ. I think a lot of that has to do with what we watch and listen to.

I know adults and kids who say they are Christians who listen to some of the vilest stuff that's out. And when they aren't in church, that's what comes out.

I just think that a lot of secular music dulls our spirits to right and wrong behavior just like alcohol or mind altering drugs would.

And so much of it is so negative.

Christ honoring music is , IMO, a much better option if you're gonna listen to anything.

 

Yep. And that's what so much of today's music centers around. I used to like Country music. But then they started getting raunchy too so I stopped listening.

I agree. But just don't think you're gonna get in my car or come into my house blaring something about "backing up on it" or whatever else seems to pass for music these days.

I think with me, what a lot of folks today call music, I call just straight obscene, gutter trash that's not fit for Christian consumption.

 

I understand what you are saying, as I am listening to a lot more Christian music these days. And obviously, what you listen to in your home an car is your prerogative. Also, I agree -- a lot of music today is junk. That being said, I am uncomfortable in drawing a wall between sacred and non-sacred. Sacred vs. sinful - absolutely. But I think sacred vs. secular is a false dichotomy.

Personally, I love all different types of music - everything from jazz to country to rock to Latin to whatever OK, not "whatever." Personally, I can't stand rap, bluegrass and a few other genres. I have a friend who plays in an orchestra and I love his classical music. Another friend plays in a band and I love his classic rock. Neither is sinful. BTW, both are Christians and both play at church as well. Art doesn't have to be "Christian art" to make it beautiful and accepting to God.

 

Interesting topic, I do listen to secular music a lot, reggae, Soul,hip hop and very rarely rock.To me secular music is as spiritual as watching a soccer match or a gardening hobby. I don't believe every single moment of our lives under the sun should be spent 'in the Spirit' it is impractical. Before I married I realized some music steered my mind towards carnal thoughts, and I had to stop because it was a tough job maintaining purity, but now as a married man I'm freed of such fears.

Having said that,I don't criticize those who won't listen to secular music as I believe this is all a matter of conscience just as is imbibing alcoholic beverages