Too Much Music
How many hours a day do we listen to music (whether it be CDs, the radio, ipod, or mp3 player)? I recently added up all the hours that I listen to music during the day and it ended up being about 10 hours a day. I was shocked! Now, I’m not saying that the music I listen to is bad and not God honoring, but it’s the fact that I listen to so much of it in a day.
How much time do we spend a day in God’s Word? For me...not nearly enough.
So I’ve come to the conclusion that
1. I’m going to cut back on my “intake” of music.
2. If I find myself having nothing to do; I’m going to use the time wisely, and read my Bible or a Christian devotional.
I would appreciate it if you (my faith readers) would keep me accountable.
13 comments:
It helps to do something else while you're listening to music, if you can multi-task. That's what I do. Of course, I know people who always have headphones in their ears when they go out in public, and they're constantly listening to their mp3 players, even at parties, church events, restaurants, whatever. That's an addiction.
I like to make music!
Wow..What a commitment.
I'm glad you are making a commitment to spend more time in God's Word, Moriah!
A few points on music, though:
1.) First of all, I agree with both of Austin's points. Music really helps me focus doing some other things, and it helps relax--like at night--get going--like in the morning--and make a normally dull time-consumer--like cleaning--rather enjoyable.
Also, I agree that it is an addiciton with a lot of people. And that leads to my second point:
2.) We live in such a constant-stimulation, A.D.D. society, that I think it's hard for a lot of "I-Pod People" to take out the headphones and listen to God, either by reading, simply meditating in the silence, or simply observing the world around them in silence--or without the "bumpin'" of music.
3.) Sure, you might be listening to God-honoring music. But, I think that a LOT of youth "Christians" are NOT. So, not only are they NOT listening to God, praying, and reading their Bibles--at least as much as they should--but they are having the worldview messages of Eminem, 50-Cent, Beyonce, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Metallica, and whoever else pumped directly into their heads from about an inch away from their eardrums. Underhandedly, or overhandedly--you pick--they are having Satan audibly whisper (and shout) into their ears--to catchy beats, melodies, and lyrics. Not exactly "think on these things," is it?
4.) Having said that, it should be noted that music is one of the most edifying tools God has given us, even if the music itself isn't by Michael W. Smith, Chris Tomlin, or Fanny Crosby, for that matter. However, combining the great messages and worshipful atmosphere of many Christian songs with some of the sheer beauty and less overt messages found in instrumental and clean secular music, makes for a great facet to a person's life.
5.) With that in mind, I think it is important that we don't become too black-and-white with the "shouldn't we be reading our Bibles"? That's a great point, but we must also realize that good music can APPLY the Bible, whether the theology or the FEELINGS of Christianity--and deeply embed them in our hearts and consciousness.
In conclusion, though, I should say that I don't listen to music nearly ten hours a day, so...keep that in mind when thinking about my analysis.
I think I should clarify a little bit about what I meant. Yes, I agree with Austin, and Kingdom Advancer with the fact that listening to music can definately help the time go by when you are doing chores or something like that. My problem was that I wouldn't meditate on the Word of God. I would just skim over the passage, call it quits, and turn on my stereo. It became what Austin said...an addiction. I wouldn't do what I was suppose to do (like read my Bible, or do my school) because my mind was set on some song on one of my CDs. This wasn't a good thing.
I also like to make music. I will read the Psalms or something from the Bible and make up a song. The Bible does tell us many times to make a joyful noise to the Lord, and to sing praises to the Lord. There are a lot of great praise and worship songs written by artists like Micheal W. Smith, and Chris Tomlin definately help me get "into a worshipful mood." Music is definately a great tool that when used right can edify the Lord.
We just have to be careful that it doesn't become an obsession.
Hope that kind of cleared things up a bit! :)
Yeah, that clears it up.
I wanted to let you know that I posted an article about an important issue, and plan to write a follow-up on it soon. (Part Two of "How Firm is Your Foundation" will be coming after that.)
Cheers.
Yup. Music has surtenly become an addiction in our society. I know a few people who can't keep away from there ipods and mp3 players longer than 20 minutes, and if they do, it's because their into something else. Some other entertainment. One of who I live with, unfortunately. We really have to watch what we listen to. Even the really upbeat Christian music like Switchfoot, kutless, barlow girl, and everything else CAN be glorifying, but if we let it become entertainment, and listen to it more than we read our bibles, and do other things we need to do, it becomes and addiction to us. I think that the harder music that you listen to, the harder it is to stay pure in what you're listening to. That is why I stay away from the popular rock beat of Britney Spears and even Fountains of Wayne.
Daisy,
Hey! There's good hard Christian music!
Moriah - I was just wondering how it's going w/limiting your music...
:)
To Lindsey: It's going great! Thanks for asking! I appreciate it.
Moriah- You're welcome!
Yeah...I think I need to set a limit to my music listening, too. xD
To Daisy: I think that every Christian can benefit from cutting back on how much music we listen to in a day.
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