Thanks for the question Rachel. Many have wondered the same thing. If Jesus and God are not mentioned in the song is it okay to listen to it? I believe you can break music down to two key components. First are the instruments that play notes, harmony, and melody, and second are the lyrics. God does not mention in the Bible “clean” and “unclean” instruments like he did with food in the Old Testament. Many of the instruments used in secular music were used in the worship of God!

   Psalm 150:2:

Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

   Psalm 150:3: 

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

   Psalm 150:4:

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

   Psalm 150:5: 

Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

   Psalm 150:6:

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

In this Psalm, various instruments are mentioned. The trumpet, the harp, timbrel, stringed instruments (today- guitar), organs (today- piano), and cymbals, for you high school band members! Some in the church are afraid to use instruments that are used in secular music and treat them as evil. Satan and the world cannot create anything. They can only distort it. God created music and gave mankind the knowledge of instruments. Some denominations do not allow musical instruments to be played in church because they do not want to take something that is used in the world and praise God with it. Apparently, in the Old Testament, David did not agree with this. He actually used an instrument that was invented by the Philistines and used it to worship God.

Psalm 8:1: 

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.

The Gittith was a Philistine stringed instrument like a harp. David spent some time with the Philistines, discovered this instrument and liked it so much he wrote a psalm to be accompanied by this instrument. God created music, including musical notes that represent different harmonies, and melodies. Mankind only discovered them. Again, the original intent of music can be perverted. Some music is just noise with mangled notes with no harmony or melody to them. There have been examples throughout church history where secular melodies were taken and the lyrics changed to glorify God.

Distinct from instrumental music is lyrical music, written to be sung, which is often accompanied by instruments. Music is a powerful vehicle through which any message can be communicated. I believe the most important aspect of music is the message being conveyed. There are many secular songs that speak of love, honor, commitment, and hope, which are good themes and not evil. We often sing the national anthem, which has no mention of God, but inspires patriotism in our hearts. Some songs are just fun or silly songs that make us want to tap our feet.

Sad to say, both Satan and the world also understand the power of music in conveying their messages. They know if they can put music to their message, both the melody and message will get into the hearts of men and women and produce deadly fruit. Many music labels and artists today are putting out deadly messages of hate, lust, profanity, and rebellion. They do it by accompanying their messages with instruments like the guitar and piano.

In conclusion, I believe in and of themselves, neither instruments nor music are inherently good or evil, rather it is the lyrics or message behind the music that are good or evil. That means, not all lyrics failing to mention God or Jesus are evil.

Ultimately, the songs we choose to listen to is between us and God, as long as the lyrics are not in direct violation of the Word of God. It is important to study God’s Word so you will recognize whether the message conveyed in a song is evil or not. You must follow your own conscience in matters like this. If listening to secular music makes you uncomfortable, don’t do it. However, it would be wrong to dictate to others which songs are right and wrong for them to listen to. It is a decision each of us must make.

God bless and happy listening!

Rick McFarland bio
Director/Singles Director
Real Answers bookstore
Grace Church