Gateways to the Heart: #1 Music

Music is a powerful force in our lives. It shapes our emotions, influences our thoughts, and even impacts our spiritual walk. For Christians, the kind of music we listen to is more than just a matter of personal preference—it can either draw us closer to God or pull us away from Him. Here’s why the music we choose matters so much.

1. Music Affects Our Hearts and Minds

Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” The music we listen to has a direct line to our hearts and minds. Lyrics filled with truth, worship, and biblical encouragement uplift our spirits and align our thoughts with God’s Word. On the other hand, music with messages that promote sin, despair, or godlessness can subtly shape our attitudes in ways we don’t even realize.

Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:8, “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” The music we listen to should help us focus on these things, not pull us away from them.

2. Music Can Be a Form of Worship

Worship is more than just something we do at church on Sunday—it’s a lifestyle. Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”

Listening to and singing worshipful music throughout the week keeps our hearts in tune with God. Whether it’s contemporary Christian music, hymns, or gospel, filling our lives with worship helps us stay connected to Him.

3. Music Influences Our Actions

What we allow into our ears influences what comes out of our lives. Jesus said in Luke 6:45, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

If we constantly feed our minds with music that glorifies selfishness, immorality, or rebellion, it’s only a matter of time before those attitudes take root in our lives. On the other hand, music that reinforces biblical truth strengthens our faith and helps us live in a way that honors God.

4. Music Impacts Our Spiritual Growth

Our spiritual growth depends largely on what we consume daily. Just as we need to read Scripture and pray, we also need to be mindful of the music we listen to. Christian music can be a source of encouragement, reminding us of God’s love, faithfulness, and promises.

Ephesians 5:19 encourages us to “speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord.” The music we listen to can help us grow in our faith, keep our focus on Christ, and even be a witness to those around us.

5. Secular Music

Secular music often speaks spiritually dead thoughts and ideas throughout the song, however not all secular music is bad. Secular, by definition, is just anything that is not specifically religious or created for religious intent. Yet, that does not provide an excuse to listen to music that will corrupt your heart. If you are not careful and you are listening to music that idolizes women, money, drugs, and speaks of murdering people it can corrupt your heart with worldly evil desires.

Yet this does not make it bad to listen to any secular music, anything that does not promote evil desires should not be considered bad to listen to, yet it’s just not feeding your spirit. You wouldn’t exercise when hungry, for it makes you hungrier. In the same way secular music that doesn’t promote worldly evil desires yet also does not promote Christian beliefs just starves your spirit, it’s like swallowing your spit when thirsty. So when you are spiritually fed, that is when I would encourage you to listen to this music.

Conclusion

The music Christians listen to is incredibly important because it shapes our thoughts, influences our actions, and affects our relationship with God. Choosing music that glorifies Him, aligns with His Word, and uplifts our spirits helps us stay spiritually strong. Let’s be intentional about what fills our ears—because what we listen to ultimately shapes who we become.

What kind of music is shaping your heart today?