Is it wrong to indulge the flesh in music?

I enjoy Gospel and Southern Gospel. I can't find anything wrong with hand-clapping, knee-slapping, toe-tapping enjoyment of music. Oh, and hand-waving, joyful praising.

 

Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

 

It shouldn't be that difficult to figure out, since obesity (the result of the sin of gluttony) is one of the major health problems in North America.
Both quantity and type of food can be taken into consideration here.
Just as quantity and type of music ought to be taken into consideration.
DHK

 

Our preacher says we're okay! He said he's heard that charismatics clap on 2 and 4 so we clap on 1 and 3.

 

Dear Diane,

You wrote: "Our preacher says we're okay! He said he's heard that charismatics clap on 2 and 4 so we clap on 1 and 3."



In Christ,

Dale

 

'Indulge' is not really a good word for Christians...

From the American heritage Dictionary:

Now, qualifier... If it is 'indulgence to satify ones hunger and it is right an proper to do so eating a reasonably proper meal then the same should be allowed for musical tastes...

However...

If the music you 'indulge' in elicites lustful, sensual, or rebbllion in your heart against Jesus it is wrong...

There is some music of a 'style' I like that I will not indulge in because of the 'testimony' (or lack of) of the group or, in the case of the secular, the lyrics are horrid...

I applaud DHK's tenacity in this issue even though I disagree with him on many points...

The fact is he can't see inside my heart...

But, he *is* right to ask for reassurance that I am aware of any risks that might be associated with a particular style I enjoy...

Anything *any* of us allow ourselves to partake of can become an sensual indulgence...

In Praise and Worship circles there was actually a teaching against 'Worshipolitry' because people had gotten so 'into' Praise and Worship that they had ceased to worship the Lord of the Music but had started worshipping the Music!

Clearly not what was desired and intended...

But, humans being what we are, trapped in a physical body, tend (properly most of the time) to consider those things that impact our bodies...

If we do that with a mind that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, well and good...

Sensual Indulgence is wrong no matter what one is indulging in... Whether food, music, tv, books, movies, etc...

The question is... is when does one cross the line... And, should one walk so close to the line that they should ever question if they might have crossed it...

Gotta go work calls

 

i seriously dont think its wrong. I enjoy christian rock, praise and worship and many forms of christian music as well as secular music. I dont see anything wrong with jumping up and down to the bat, or waving your hands in the air or singing along

 

Study I Kings Chapter 18. Compare the way the prophets of Baal worshiped their false god with the way Elijah worshiped the true God.

John 4:24 "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

II Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

If we worship in the "style" of Baal worshipers, are we worshiping in spirit and in truth? Are we worshiping in soundness. Are we worshiping the true and living God?

"Think on these things"
DB

 

Certain music can make one want to dance in jubilation. I think this is what was intended by it, and why you find it thus expressed in scripture. I think the tendency to view this as evil, just because it makes us want to move the body is a failure to be grateful for God's blessings, and to rejoice in Him. It made Miriam want to move the body. lol Had it been someone of this mindset who lead the Israelites accross the red sea, I reckon she would have died early.
G4G

 

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks...

Might be re-written to say that the Body Speaks...

Or, our lives Speak as a result of what's in our hearts...

When I was a youth and went to the school dances I really 'danced' to the music that was played...

It was fun, burned calories and was *much* safer than slow dancing...

In those days I danced 'to the music'...

Today, if I 'dance' I use the Music as a vehicle to dance before my Lord...

I don't dance before the world... Don't dance to the world's beat... For me, going to a club and dancing would be sin...

And, I would strongly question any friend or member of my congregation that did so...

Why? Because, to me, 'frequenting' the places where the lost plunge headlong into sinful conduct, thoughts, and behavior is sin...

Not my 'calling'...

And, without a specific calling and *covering* from the Holy Spirit to be there a believer **will** be worn down and become prey to the enemy...

On this score I will not retreat...

To me it is not the music (sans lyrics) that is the problem it is the Spiritual Environment and the *neccessity* to compromise to remain welcome there...

In such a case 'indulgence' is sinful compromise...

If the music I listen to lifts me up and 'inclines' me to leap or dance for joy because of the Salvation that Jesus has given me... That would not be a fleshly indulgence if channeled into Praise and Lifting Up of Jesus...

But, without the intent of the heart, if I just leap about in time with 'music' I am no better than a dead dry leaf being blow along by a wind...

And, just as vulnerable to be getting burned... As well...

 

A 20 Oz. Porterhouse steak with a large baked potato smothered with butter, sour cream, chives, and bacon bits is quite carnal and appeals to the flesh but I have yet to hear anyone preach against such decadance!

It would be unwise to overindulge on such and I believe we do need to be good stewards of our bodies and what we allow ourselves to be influenced by.

Listening to Rock Music IMO is like eating a Snickers Bar. Be sure to brush your teeth afterwards and DON'T MAKE JUNK FOOD YOUR PRIMARY SUSTENANCE!

 

Is it wrong to indulge the flesh in music?

I'm listening to a Wierd Al Yankovic CD right now. Can't find it sinful in doing so.

 

Except that modern music isn't replacing fish heads and rice with steak and onions. It is reversing a history of increasingly beautiful melodies and harmonies and degenerating back to jungle drums and single (or 2 or 3)note music.

 

To quote the tayor while talking to the nudist, so what? Scripture does not say that polyphony is better spiritually than monophony. Scripture does not say that multiple percussion instruments is better than a single percussion instrument. Scripture does not say that music must contain syncopation (instead of one-the-beat meters) in order to be spiritual.

Sorry, but if anyone needs to ask what any of those terms means, then they're not qualified to make a critical observation of modern music.

 

It's wrong to indulge the flesh in anything. In all we do, the glory of God and the increase of His Kingdom is the focus.

 

Agreed!

Seems pretty basic to me.