Magnanimous Music

Girl with Guitar by Jennie Brownscombe

"Music is a gift from God and has an enormous power that can help lead us to virtue.

But in this fallen world, music- produced by sinners-

is often chaotic, menacing, or flippant, and can lead us to our own destruction.

You see children, music shapes us in its image."

~ Douglas Bond, Mr. Pipes And The British Hymn Makers

Music is a powerful tool for the follower of God but is just as powerful for the opposition... just like a knife can be used to prepare a nourishing salad or to harm a human. We need to be careful how we utilize the instrument.

Scripture gives us guidance in what kind of music to delight in…

"...but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God."

~ Ephesians 5:18-21

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

~ Colossians 3:16

We are to enjoy the music that glorifies God. It breaks my heart to get into a car with "believers" and then to hear them listening to music made by unbelievers. Do you think there is anything in secular music created to bring you closer to God? Music is the mind of man that has been packaged into a group of notes. If anything, the unbelievers music brings you into their world… "and friendship with the world means enmity against God" (James 4:4).

The kind of music you listen to is just as important as the shows you watch, the books you read and the people you keep company with. Music has a power that is all its own. Its influence can persuade people to do ungodly things that they otherwise would not do because of the mood it puts you in. It can almost clear the conscience and drown out the warnings of the holy spirit by the loudness of the disturbing lyrics, beats and tainting tunes. There are many studies about the influence of music that establishes this point.

Lucifer (Satan) was the musician in the heavens once upon a time…

You were in Eden, the garden of God; 

Every precious stone was your covering: 

The sardius, topaz, and diamond, 

Beryl, onyx, and jasper, 

Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. 

The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes 

Was prepared for you on the day you were created. 

~ Ezekiel 28:13

Your pomp is brought down to Sheol, 

And the sound of your stringed instruments; 

The maggot is spread under you, 

And worms cover you.’

~ Isaiah 14:11

Satan once used his talent to glorify God. Now, how do you suppose he is using that same talent in his new mission? Are you enjoying his latest tunes?

As a "Heroine of the Faith", who has the attention of your ears? Who is guiding what you hear? Is it placing you in the right direction towards your loving Saviour? For when you listen to godly music...

 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,

      “This is the way, walk in it,”
      Whenever you turn to the right hand
      Or whenever you turn to the left."

~ Isaiah 30:21

Whose voice are you listening to?

Other paintings we viewed by Jennie Brownscombe in addition to this page:

Autumn Foliage

Ready for the Oven


Linked up to:
Far Above Rubies
Raising Homemakers
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home