Holy or Unholy?

C. H. Fisher

 

Can music be holy or unholy?

(Lev 10:1-11 NKJV) "Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. {2} So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. {3} And Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.' " So Aaron held his peace. {4} And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, "Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp." {5} So they went near and carried them by their tunics out of the camp, as Moses had said. {6} And Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons, "Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the people. But let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD has kindled. {7} "You shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the LORD is upon you." And they did according to the word of Moses. {8} Then the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying: {9} "Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, {10} "that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean, {11} "and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them by the hand of Moses.""

(Ezek 22:23-31 NKJV) "And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, {24} "Son of man, say to her: 'You are a land that is not cleansed or rained on in the day of indignation.' {25} "The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. {26} "Her priests have violated My law and profaned My holy things; they have not distinguished between the holy and unholy, nor have they made known the difference between the unclean and the clean; and they have hidden their eyes from My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them. {27} "Her princes in her midst are like wolves tearing the prey, to shed blood, to destroy people, and to get dishonest gain. {28} "Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' when the LORD had not spoken. {29} "The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. {30} "So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. {31} "Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads," says the Lord GOD."

It appears that this apostate generation hasn't the ability to distinguish between clean and unclean, holy and unholy. They call the obvious evil, good, and the obvious good, evil. There is a curse upon them for this wickedness.

(Isa 5:20 NKJV) "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

It is an evil apostate generation that does not know the difference between what is from Satan and what is from God. Their spiritual senses have not been exercised or else has departed from them.

(Heb 5:14 NKJV) "But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

A common defense of "Christian" Rock music is that it could not be of the devil because Satan can't create anything. This leads to the inevitable conclusion that the holy God of heaven also created secular Rock music, a position that some proponents of "Christian" Rock music readily subscribe to. One "Christian" Rock proponent declares that there are no demonic notes in the music scale so there is no such thing as demonic music. He goes on to declare that it is the musician that makes the music demonic, not the music itself.  Of course he is right on both points, but wrong concerning his conclusion about demonic music.  However, his points are not relevant to the debate unless one considers the apparent self-contradictory nature of his last point. By declaring that it is the musician who makes the music demonic, not the music itself, he has contradicted his own statement that no music can be demonic.  He has also validated my contention that secular Rock music is demonic, being "made" as such by demonic musicians. God's word is very clear regarding the use of evil to promote His kingdom. 

Consider this verse in the Old Testament that declares the unchanging nature of God toward those who take evil things and try to sanctify them.

(Josh 6:18 NKJV) "And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it."

Therefore no Christian has the right or authority of God to use for the purpose of ministry that which has been made demonic.

If we are to consider it appropriate and godly to use for the purposes of ministry that which has been made demonic, just think of what that opens Christianity up to. We would have to consider "Christianized" homosexuality and the use of "Christianized" fornication to win the lost. I can imagine this apostate generation sooner or later sanctioning "Christianized" wrestling complete with all the violence, the demonic face painting and other evil imitations. Strip tease clubs fill up with lost souls. Using the philosophy of "Christian" Rock music proponents one could assume a "Christian" Burlesque joint would also be appropriate and sanctioned by God to "win" the lost. In a large city near the town I live in they have opened up a "Christian" nightclub called the Saltshaker where "Christians" can come to dance, meet single (and most likely married) people looking for a date, and drink non-alcoholic brew. This is evidence that the modern professing church wants to be as the world. Does anyone care what God thinks? What does God's word say about this?

(1 John 2:15-17 NKJV) "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. {16} For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world. {17} And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

"The world invents it and the church adopts it" seems to be the policy here. In fact, every demonic thing that attracts a crowd, that was designed by Satan and presented through the world system, appears to be on the list for future use by the apostate church to "win the lost." Although God's word declares preaching the gospel and lifting up Jesus is the true method, these apostate people defy God's word and choose instead to use the devices of evil. They declare that their methods are proven true by the fact that it draws the crowds. They also present false conversions that are the result of a false gospel in which the standards are so low that even Satan himself could be saved and never change his ways.

One "Christian" Rock musician presented to me his fundamental beliefs, which were fairly orthodox, as if that sanctioned his departure from those beliefs to promote Christ through wicked means. In fact, he repeatedly held up his ordination as a minister as if that validated him. Nothing can make right what is wrong or make evil, good. No matter how much we pile on the religious rhetoric or pin titles on ourselves, it does not make our actions good and true. One has only to look at the disgrace of highly visible televangelists to understand this vital, proven point.

Romans 4 :16 (NKJV) says, "Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;". This verse defines the importance of symbolism and appearances. It declares the sensitivity we should have about the way we appear to the world and to one another as Christians. We should not disguise ourselves as evil to reach the lost. Paul said, "Abstain from every form of evil." (1 Th :22NKJV).

What is the result in the appearance of those who listen to "Christian" Rock music? I have observed the symbolism of narcissism, nihilism, sadomasochism, and image mutilation in those who listen to both secular and "Christian" Rock music.

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

This is characterized by an underlying fragile sense of self-esteem and a subsequent preoccupation with success and power. Patients lack empathy, require constant attention, and often react with rage or humiliation to negative criticism. This results in poor interpersonal relationships.

Nihilism

1. total rejection of social mores: the general rejection of established social conventions and beliefs, especially of morality and religion

2. belief that nothing is worthwhile: a belief that life is pointless and human values are worthless

3. disbelief in objective truth: the belief that there is no objective basis for truth

        4. belief in destruction of authority: the belief that all established authority is corrupt and must be destroyed in order to rebuild a just society

Nineteenth-century movement among the Russian intelligentsia that advocated the overthrow of all order and authority. Given its name in the novel by I. Turgenev, Fathers and Sons (1861), the movement embraced both those who wanted to overthrow existing governments by force and terror and those who sought to throw off personal moral restraints.

Sadomasochism

The getting of pleasure, esp. sexual pleasure, from sadism or masochism, or both.

Sadism

The getting of sexual pleasure from dominating, mistreating, or hurting one's partner or the getting of pleasure from inflicting physical or psychological pain on another or others.

Masochism

The getting of sexual pleasure from being dominated, mistreated, or hurt physically or otherwise by one's partner or the getting of pleasure from suffering physical or psychological pain, inflicted by others or by oneself.

These traits are exemplified in the actions of those who are afflicted by both secular and "Christian" Rock music such as MOSH, Head banging, and etceteras. They wear the symbols of their bondage with pride. Body piercing, death thread and other aberrant hairstyles, tattoos and other disfigurations and intentional image deformities reveal the damage done to hidden spirit person. Rock music produces sexual stimulation and provokes violence and rebellion. The combination of these things results in the aberrant behavior we see expressed in so many young people today. People who believe this music is good for use by the Holy Spirit are deceived or demonic, maybe both.

No one can prove secular Rock music is of God by pointing to the musical scale just as no one can prove it to be wicked by the same means. The pointer must be directed at the demonic arrangement of the music scale. Who contrived the arraignment of musical notes into the style entitled Rock Music? Did a Christian one day start playing this demonic arraignment and the secular musicians began copying him? If this music is of God, why is it a demoniac was the first and only person God could give it to? Were there no Christians with hearing ears? (Mat 7:6 NKJV) "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." How can God go against His own word to give holy music to the defiled people of the world if Rock music is holy?

Do Christians have to borrow unholy music from the world to perform ministry because God's version of music is not good enough? Is there no creativity in the Church so we must thrive on the depraved creations of the World System? I can tell you that these questions are very difficult for "Christian" Rock music proponents to answer without being disingenuous or deceptive.

The overwhelmingly obvious fact is that there is clean and unclean, holy and unholy, bad and good, good and evil. This applies to everything in life that has the potential to affect us for better or worse. Even inanimate objects can be used as an example here although we are not dealing with inanimate objects when it concerns music. A knife can be used to cut steak but there are knives that are designed to cut people. The metal itself is not evil, but the design is. No Christian should want to own or flash one of these vile little daggers that are designed for the purpose of taking another persons life. Someone might retort, "You can kill someone with a steak knife". That may be so, but it wasn't designed for that purpose. You could also cut steak with the vile little dagger, but would you choose it over a steak knife? Preaching can damage a person, but it wasn't designed for that purpose. Mishandling the gifts of God can cause damage, but they were not designed for that purpose.

Rock music was designed solely for the purpose of destruction of the human spirit and eventually the body and cannot be used for any other purpose. It cannot at one and the same time be both saving and destroying a person. Imagine someone throwing a lifeline to a drowning person and reeling them into a pit full of hungry sharks, or throwing a lifeline laced with razor blades. Trying to "Christianize" Rock music is accordant with giving someone Aspirin laced with cyanide.

From these points I have made one may conclude I am proposing that there is such a thing as holy and unholy music. That is exactly what I am saying. One only has to look to the past to see clearly there was a time when you could tell the music of the Church from the music of the World. Listen to the words and the arraignments of the songs from past generations. You can easily detect they had a much deeper commitment to and intimacy with God than this generation of apostates. You can hear in their words the souls witness of a mighty experience with God. Today's music is shallow and meaningless in comparison. Modern "Christian" music stresses musical ability and is embellished with high tech recording equipment. Try singing most modern "Christian" songs without the effects of the technology and musicianship and it is powerless and dry as dust in the eyes.

One might argue that modern "Christian" music is as good as the old, only in a different style because of our culture. The style of modern "Christian" music seems to be trying to reflect the shallow, errant, lifestyles of profit seeking, fame hungry, entertainers void of true spiritual substance and lost in selfish pursuits. No one can convince me that this is as good as the Christian music of the past and better in content. Its primary flaw is that it is Christless and many of the performers are Christless. Adding a few mentions of Jesus' name and references to scriptures will not clean it up. You cannot "Christianize" Christless music by calling it "Christian" since it epitomizes apostasy.

If modern "Christian" music became more meaningful and the performers developed real relationships with God, there are as least two things that would happen. First, music in the church would fall back to its proper place and use. Music has been elevated to a position that is foreign to God's word. God did not declare that He would use the foolishness of music to save those who are lost. In fact musicians are not mentioned among the five-fold ministry. There are no scriptures that say "And He chose the foolishness of music to save those who are lost."

Also, God does not leave room in His word for ministers who become wealthy stars from presenting His gospel. Commercialization has ruined modern "Christian" music and made it a tool of flesh rather than a tool of God. Performers with little or no relationship with God primp and prance about in arrogant pomp as if they deserved to be the objects of worship they are. I cannot imagine such people would have anything spiritual to offer anyone except that which is demonically spiritual.

Secondly, the style would once again be exclusively Christian. It may be different than past musical styles in the church, but uniquely Christian. What has happened to modern "Christian" music is that at some point they failed to pick up the mantle from the previous generation. No mantel equals no transference of power and anointing plus no continuation of the legacy and devotion to God of the past generation.

A new mantle has been fashioned with the warped thread of the world system. I believe it would be safe to say that modern "Christian" music will never be powerful enough to advance the kingdom of God until it picks up the fallen mantle. Musicians will have to go back to where the last generation dropped it as they departed into glory. They will have to listen to the songs and begin studying the hearts of the past generation. Then they will have to surrender in like fashion to the will of God. From this new breed of musicians will come a uniquely Christian music that would intensify with a mighty revival throughout Christian music. One thing I can guarantee and that is the stain of the demonic world's rebellious melody will not taint the music written by such a people.

Current "Christian" music is presented as the first "soul-winning" tool I know of that was designed by the lost world to reach the lost. How can this be? Most of its producers, record company executives, and owners are lost souls. Many of the radio program directors are not saved. It is an industry designed and controlled by unregenerate people. No wonder the lyrics are shallow and bereft of convicting power. These people filter out anything that would offend the sinner or the hypocrite. Thus, modern "Christian" music for the most part is selected by the lost according to their own desires and hasn't the slightest bit of effect on them for salvation. It was designed for taste not spiritual content. Since Jesus describes Satan as the father of religious hypocrites, that makes him the true father of modern "Christian" music and "Christian" Rock in particular. Has Satan then become involved in a soul-winning cause for Christ Jesus? No way! He is just doing what he has been doing for a long time, being a very clever devil, and people void of discernment and relationship with God are letting him get away with it.

Yes, there is a difference between holy and unholy, clean and unclean and that difference is being ignored. The line of demarcation between the professing church and the world system has been erased by modern "Christian music, "Christian" Rock music in particular. Will not God judge this great evil? I call on Christian musicians to stand against this evil. I challenge Christian musicians to refuse to accept ungodly Dove Awards, which have no connection to the True Dove, the Holy Spirit. I challenge every sincere Christian musician to refuse to honor CCM magazine because their blatant promotions of the apostasy.

I call upon modern "Christian" musicians to repent of their sins and turn from their wicked ways before God Himself judges them. I call every Christian to battle this horrible invasion of evil with militant prayer, to purge their music from all apostate, self-seeking, self-honoring, godless, influence.

The time is short. God will not tolerate this wickedness much longer. You are going to see a mighty, fearsome, judgement in the ranks of "Christian" music stars. God has been longsuffering but His patience is running out. I'm not pronouncing death on anyone, but I'm considering the unchanging nature of God who hates sin and rebellion. He has brought severe judgement on people before to save His nation Israel. As tragic as it seems it is better for a few people to die or be afflicted by Satan in their flesh than an entire generation to fall into hell.

(1 Cor 5:4-5 NKJV) "In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, {5} deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus."

Some of these people are extremely callused.  I even had one CR musician quote scriptures and said I was in danger of blaspheming the Holy Spirit, simply because I challenged his music which was filled with satanic lyrics.   That is about as blind and deceived as one can get. 

I pray that they do not lose their lives because it is one of the most horrible thoughts I can think of, a soul in eternal hell. God is not willing that the wicked perish and that is why He suffers long with their sin. He is merciful but in Revelation He threatened people with death who did not correct the demonic errors that they allowed to come among them.  (Heb 10:31 NKJV) "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."

(Rev 2:20-23 NKJV) "Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. {21} "And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. {22} "Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. {23} "I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works."

You can't just tempt God by mishandling His holy gifts and get away with it forever. He lets it go on for a span of grace then He takes action. He does nothing until they have ignored warning after warning, rebuked and even persecuted the prophets He sends to warn them.

Our nation is becoming increasingly demonized. We do not need the vile music playing in the church that helped bring it into this almost hopeless state. What we need is anointed, righteous music from set-on-fire, revived, people.  My prayer is that God will help them see their error before it is too late. Help them come to their senses and wash away their filthiness with repentance and change. God help them to see they have no license to commit these sins. No doctrine exists that gives them the privilege to live as Satan's children and use his devices while at the same time claiming to be children of God. They are lost, lost and in need of salvation. They either were never saved or have backslidden into a lost state and are in danger of hell fire. May God have mercy on them.

(Lev 10:2-3 NKJV) "So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. {3} And Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD spoke, saying: 'By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.' "