Gospel Music

This is a blog I’ve wanted to do for some time, but there have been so many things happening in modern world events that I have had to delay writing this one. I think that many people do not appreciate that the Bible reveals that music can have a tremendous spiritual effect on people. While this blog is not meant to be an exhaustive discussion of this subject, it will, hopefully, give you enough information to have a new perspective on the power of music. Did you realize that the Bible confirms that music created in the human dimension has the power to influence what happens in the spirit world? Music can actually be a nexus where the spiritual and physical world interact. God made mankind in his very image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). Being made in the image of God (the Elohim) mankind was given the same capacity to create and enjoy music that God (the Elohim) possess. The Bible makes it clear that God enjoys great music in the heavenly realm. Revelation 5:8-11 records that the 24 Elders at the throne of God worship God with music on harps and John foresaw a “new song” being sung by the angels and/or the resurrected saints in the future. The book of Revelation also refers to seven “trumpet” plagues being sent on the earth at the end of this age. Trumpets are a musical instrument, and a “trump[et]” sounds at the return of Jesus Christ to the earth (I Thessalonians 4:16). Job 38:7records that spirit beings “sang” at the creation of the earth when God made it in its original beauty (before the rebellion of Lucifer wrecked the original earth—see my article Is the Earth 6,000 Years Old?). When God led the Israelites out of Egypt in the Exodus and set up his administration over the Israelites, he directed that orchestras of musicians and choirs of singers be appointed to serve at his Tabernacle/Temple services. When the Ark of the Covenant was moved during the reign of David, the appointed singers and musicians accompanied the procession with a wide variety of musical instruments (I Chronicles 15:25-28). When Solomon dedicated the Temple of God, there were many Levites who were the appointed singers in special white uniforms along with musicians who served as a Temple orchestra. To give us an insight into how huge this choir and orchestra were, there were 120 Levites just in the trumpet section (II Chronicles 5:12-14)! God responded to the music of the Levites and the dedication of the Temple with a divine sign of his presence and his pleasure in the ceremonies. David was “a man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22), and David delighted in serving and praising God with music. Some of the Psalms were specifically written by David to be sung as praise songs to God (Psalm 66-70 and 84-85 for example). David referenced a variety of musical instruments in the Psalms that were part of the worship services before God (Psalm 33:2, 81:2,-3, 144:9, etc.). The last Psalm (Psalm 150) refers to God being praised with trumpets, psalteries, harps, timbrels, stringed instruments, organs and two kinds of cymbals. Psalm 150:5 also indicates that David liked “loud” music as part of a worship service. Psalm 22:3 records that God “inhabits the praises” of his people. Sincere musical praise, therefore, draws God’s attention to the assembly where the music is being made, as II Chronicles 5:12-14confirms. Let’s now consider two more biblical examples where music made in the human realm actually affected the spirit world. The first is in I Samuel 16:14-23. In this account, King Saul was troubled by an evil spirit that was sent upon him by God for Saul’s disobedience. The young David was a skilled musician on a harp, and the beautiful music (and, presumably, the lyrics of praise to God which accompanied his music) actually caused this evil spirit to depart from Saul. This account reveals that beautiful, Godly music creates an environment that drives evil spirits away! The second account is a truly remarkable one found in II Kings 3. Elisha was one of the most powerful prophets in the Bible. He even had a “double portion” of the spiritual power of Elijah (II Kings 9-11). However, even as powerful a prophet as Elisha was stifled in his efforts to have God’s Spirit flow through him on one occasion. Elisha was so repulsed by the presence of Jehoram, an evil king of the northern ten-tribed kingdom of Israel, that the Spirit of God didn’t readily flow through Elisha, even though Elisha liked the good King Jehoshaphat of the kingdom of Judah (who was also present). King Jehoshaphat had asked for a prophet of God to give counsel about a pending war, and Elisha was brought into the assembly of kings. What was Elisha’s solution to his difficulty in having God’s Spirit flow through him? He called for music to be made! He asked for a minstrel (a musician) to be summoned, and when the minstrel played on his musical instrument, God’s Spirit “came upon” Elisha and he was able to have God’s counsel flow through him. Elisha apparently asked the minstrel to play a particular tune which Elisha knew from past experience would draw him closer to God in his mind and emotions. In this example, we see that particular pieces of music can even motivate prophets to be more effective in God’s service. If this is true for powerful prophets like Elisha, it must be true for all Believers as well. Music can also have a negative spiritual influence over people as well. When Lucifer was originally created, Ezekiel 28:13-15 reveals that he was not only beautiful in appearance, but had a particular gift for music as “tabrets” and “pipes” are mentioned in connection with his creation. This account metaphorically refers to Lucifer as “the king of Tyre,” but no human king of Tyre was ever “perfect,” “in Eden” or served as an “anointed covering cherub.” When Lucifer fell into sin and rebellion, as Isaiah 14:12-19 records, Lucifer became Satan and used his talents to pervert and warp all that was good and beautiful in the creation. He

1John 2:15-17 The term contemporary simply means “in the present”. The contemporary music is the music of the present. It is the music of this present age, full of corruption and vices. The believer’s stand regarding contemporary music is non-conformity, because of the pollution that has infiltrated the entertainment industry. To this folks music is simply is just for entertainment, and nothing more. And any form of compromise will undoubtedly attract damnable consequences. It is clearly stated, “Love not the world, neither the things which are in the world”. Another passage boldly persuades us to “be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2Cor. 6:14). Contemporary Music composed by an unbeliever is the music of the world. And it must be avoided at all cost. For no clean thing can come out of the unclean (Job 14:4). Music is a gift -a good and perfect gift- come from God to his creation (James 1:17). Angels, man, and animals all show some inclinations to music. Thevwhole of nature blends in perfect harmony. All move with a common rhythm, and resonate with a Melody the greatest minds cannot fathom. Over the years, music has greatly evolved. This evolution brought in drastic changes in the style of composition and performance as well. Through different periods in Western music history -from prehistoric to the modern period- we could witness some kind of revolution that effected the change in musical idioms, philosophy and ideology. Music generally can be classified into: SACRED and SECULAR music. The former is music dedicated for Church use. Which involves the use of the Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, for the uplifting and edifying of true worshippers (Col. 3:16). While the latter refers to any kind of music used in the secular world for the purpose of entertainment and education. Thus, the primary purpose of music is edification and education; entertainment and enlightenment. Interestingly, it is noteworthy to know that: *Music is dual in nature: sacred and secular; *Each has dual function: edification and education (Sacred music); entertainment and enlightenment (Secular music). *Music can be vertically (God-ward) or horizontally (man-ward) oriented. Consequently, there are a lot of malfunctions in the music of this very age. And these malfunctions -being allowed into Church music- have grossly negate the atmosphere of true worship during fellowship and worship services. It’s quite unfortunate that most Christian assemblies have no sense of true worship as elements of secularism have have subtly infiltrated Church music. Three (3) sub-headings to be considered: 1. Demonic Elements and Contemporary Music 2. Discerning Edifying and Destructive Music 3. Dangers of Christian Contemporary Music. Point 1. Demonic Influence In Contemporary Music:Rev. 12:12; The four basic elements (or characteristics) of music are: pitch, melody, rhythm, and harmony. These four are the pillars of any musical composition. And the fifth is lyricism -when it involves a vocal part. From these we can carefully discern demonic influence in contemporary music. We shall consider these one after the other: #Pitch:- is the height or depth of sound. In most contemporary music, there are various sounds that tend to mimic demonic utterances. This is done either by the instrument(s) or voice. Some of these screams and shouts have been discovered in the music of most popular artistes. Michael Jackson, Usher Raymond, and some other well-known pop artistes, are known to making such sounds in their music. The instrumentalists also mimic this strange utterances. The famous Italian violinist Niccolo Paganini, goes into history as the all-time best Violinist. It is reported of him to have sold his soul to the devil for Violin playing. His “twenty-four Caprices” are the most difficult works ever written for the Violin. Incidentally, one of his 24 Caprices portrays the story of the pleasure the devil derives when afflicting his victims. The piece was nicknamed “the devil’s chuckle”. Another work of this nature is Giuseppe Tartini’s “Violin sonata in G minor”.  I will speak more on that in the next point. #Melody: is the sequence of single notes that is musically satisfying. Melody simply means a tune. Melody is the thread that weaves a musical fabric. And it is the most challenging to create or invent in music composition. Hence, various composers over the ages have had various means of drawing inspiration to compose music. And those that are more daring, employ the aid of evil spirits to be inspired. Giuseppe Tartini wrote a piece for the Violin titled: “Violin sonata in G minor” which was nicknamed the “devil’s trill”. His inspiration came as the result of a dream he had one fateful afternoon. Accordingly, he had dream. In that dream he found him giving lessons to the devil on the Violin. And subsequently he (Tartini) asked his pupil (the devil) to play him something to confirm if he had made progress while receiving lessons. Consequently, the devil took the instrument from him, and played something unimaginable. He woke up immediately and began scribbling in to his manuscript what he heard in the dream. While on his deathbed, he lamented not being to document all he heard in that infamous encounter. And he regretted so bitterly, for his loss. When interviewed, a well-known Nigerian highlife musician once confirmed that the inspiration behind one of his songs was an encounter with a marmaid at the Lagos bar beach, around 11:30pm. The song is titled “Guitar-boy”. And the artiste is Victor Uwaifo. You may know him. #Rhythm:- is simply the movement of music. Music travels through a path. And rhythm is that path. There are different styles of rhythmic movements. There are also simple and complex rhythms. Heavy drumming and syncopated beats (rhythms) are the common features of most contemporary music, like the rock, rock ‘n’ roll, disco, hip-hop, etc. These styles of rhythmic approach have their root in the ritualistic music of the heathens of the West and Central African,  observing “rites of passage” and pagan worship. This cultural practices were carried along during the slave trade to the West and the Caribbeans.

Perhaps this title seems pretty obvious. I have known very few people who don’t like music. But what I find especially awesome about music is it appears to have a healing ability. Take, for instance, some positive effects Psychology Today says that music has, according to various studies: “…music therapy has demonstrated efficacy as an independent treatment for reducing depression, anxiety and chronic pain…music has positive physical effects. It can produce direct biological changes, such as reducing heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol levels.” The effect of causing biological changes is referring to a study done by Mona Lisa Chanda and Daniel J. Levitin from the Department of Psychology at McGill University, Canada. The study elaborates on how music helps a stressed person calm down: “The potential therapeutic effects of music listening have been largely attributed to its ability to reduce stress and modulate arousal levels. Listening to ‘relaxing music’ (generally considered to have slow tempo, low pitch, and no lyrics) has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in …patients undergoing invasive medical procedures (e.g., surgery, colonoscopy, dental procedures, pediatric patients undergoing medical procedures, and patients with coronary heart disease)…These effects are conventionally considered to be owing to the ability of music to distract or modulate mood.” Music helps the process of healing for patients, as it calms them down. SO COOL. Additionally, some Canadian researches, two again at McGill University, found listening to music you enjoy can release dopamine in the brain. The abstract of their experiment stated, ” pleasure in response to music can lead to dopamine release in the striatal system”. The striatal system, just FYI (in case you didn’t already know), is part of the basal ganglia, basically the part of your brain that contains “rewarding” neurotransmitters, like dopamine. So music can make you happy! Not that that’s too surprising, but it’s still great. There have also been studies that show that listening to music can help decrease depression and anxiety. After finding evidence for this, some researchers at the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, France, speculated on why this might be so. They wrote,”To pursue on this meta-analysis, we found a study about the effects of AMT [Analytical Music Therapy] on depression. It is effective because active musicmaking within the therapeutic frame offers the patient opportunities for new aesthetic, physical and relational experiences. Music has effects on mood and emotional changes. Through autobiographic memory recall, it contributes to reminiscence and the sense of control of life through positive experiences. Hearing music, singing, tapping, increased attention to music and accompanies awareness of self and environment. It contributes to reconnect the patient with his environment against mood disorders like depression and anxiety increasing his quality of life.” Essentially, since music has an ability to transport our consciousness to other experiences, it helps us get out of our own heads and become less bogged down by our feelings. These are just a few of the reasons why music rocks. Maybe it’s just because I’m going to a college where nearly everyone is a pro at some instrument or other, but I’ve begun to appreciate music so much more recently. And I think you should do. So stop reading this and go turn on your iPod (or iPhone, who has iPods anymore?), and start listening to some tunes. It’s good for you. Credit: theodysseyonline

Research suggests that music not only helps us cope with pain — it can also benefit our physical and mental health in numerous other ways. Read on to learn how listening to tunes can ramp up your health. RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT MUSIC CAN… Help Physically: 1. Ease pain. Music can meaningfully reduce the perceived intensity of pain, especially in geriatric care, intensive care, or palliative medicine (an area of healthcare that focuses on preventing and relieving the suffering of patients). 2. Motivate people to bike harder. A study of healthy male college students found that, while riding stationary bicycles, the participants worked harder while listening to fast music. Extra bonus: They also enjoyed the music more. 3. Improve running motivation and performance. Here’s an easy way to beat your best time if you’re a runner: Listen to your favorite “pump-up” music. Listening to musicmay help people run faster, boost their workout motivation, and enhance their endurance. 4. Increase workout endurance. Listening to those top workout tracks can boostphysical performance and increase endurance during a tough exercise session. This works partly through the power of distraction: When we’re focusing on a favorite album, we may not notice that we just ran an extra mile. 5. Speed up post-workout recovery. One study found that listening to music after a workout can help the body recover faster. While slow music produced a greater relaxation effect post-exercise, it seems that any kind of music can help the physical recovery process. 6. Improve sleep quality. Listening to classical music has been shown to effectively treat insomnia in college students, making it a safe, cheap alternative to sleep-inducing meds. 7. Help people eat less. One study found that playing soft music (and dimming the lights) during a meal can help people slow down while eating and ultimately consume less food in one sitting (perhaps because slowing down helps them to be more mindful of fullness cues). 8. Enhance blood vessel function. Scientists have found that the emotions patients experience while listening to music have a healthy effect on blood vessel function. Music both made study participants feel happier and resulted in increased blood flow in their blood vessels. Help Mentally: 9. Reduce stress. Research has found that listening to music can relieve stress by triggering biochemical stress reducers (think of these physiological processes as anti-stress ninjas). 10. Induce a meditative state. Listening to slow musical beats can alter brainwave speed, creating brainwave activity similar to when a person is meditating or in a hypnotic state. Some research suggests that using rhythmic stimuli (such as music) to induce these states can have a therapeutic effect, easing symptoms of migraines, PMS, and even behavioral issues. 11. Relieve symptoms of depression. When you’re feeling down in the dumps, music can help pick you up (much like exercise). Research suggests the kind of music matters: Classical and meditative sounds seem to be particularly uplifting, whereas heavy metal and techno can actually make depressive symptoms worse. 12. Elevate mood. A 2013 study found that music helped put people in a better mood and get in touch with their feelings. Study participants rated “arousal and mood regulation” and “self-awareness” as the two most important benefits of listening to music. 13. Improve cognitive performance. Background music may enhance performanceon cognitive tasks. One older study found that listening to music allowed test takers to complete more questions in the time allotted, and get more answers right. More recent research suggests that whether or not music improves cognitive function depends on whether the music first improves a person’s emotional state. 14. Help people perform better in high-pressure situations. Want to sink the game-winning shot when the pressure’s on? Listen to some upbeat tunes before the big game. One study found that basketball players prone to performing poorly under pressure during games were significantly better during high-pressure free-throw shooting if they first listened to catchy, upbeat music and lyrics. 15. Reduce anxiety as much as a massage. One study found that music’s effect on anxiety levels is similar to the effect of getting a massage. Here’s an idea: Treat yourself to a massage and bring your favorite chilled out tunes to play during the session. Double the relaxation! 16. Relax patients before surgery. One study found that listening to music helped put cardiovascular surgery patients at ease as they awaited their operations. That’s a major benefit for the nearly four million people who get heart surgery each year in the U.S. 17. Ease stress after surgery. Music isn’t only helpful pre-surgery. Another studyrevealed that listening to music while resting in bed after open heart surgery helped relax patients and decrease their stress levels. 18. Elevate mood while driving. Listening to music while driving can positively impact mood. So when you’re feeling cranky in the car, try cranking some of your favorite tunes. 19. Help cancer patients manage stress and anxiety. Music has been found to help cancer patients communicate their feelings, manage stress, and ease physical pain and discomfort. It can also reduce anxiety and improve their quality of life. 20. Ease recovery in stroke patients. Researchers in Finland concluded that when stroke patients listened to music for two hours a day, their verbal memory and attention improved and they had a more positive mood compared to patients who didn’t listen to music or who listened to audio books. Regardless of your taste in music, it’s clear that tunes benefit our health. The best part? Now you have an excuse for blaring Beethoven while your roommate is trying to study.

The power of music is seen when Nebuchadnezzar made a golden image and ordered people to worship it when music is played as you have seen in Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image. Music is a powerful spiritual tool which can be used by both the evil kingdom and the heavenly kingdom. Satan is playing his music today and many are bowing down to his worship as many bowed down to Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image. Not that many want to but the power of music is the reason. Music is a universal language; wherever you go you hear the same music and idols. Idols like Michael Jackson, Jay-z, Beyonce, Vybs Cartel, etc and wherever you go people are bowing down to these idols when their music is played. Today we have images as you can see in the article; you shall not make unto yourself any graven no image and idols. We have music idols, rock idols, America idols, fashion idols, sex idols etc and many people are bowing down to this idols. Nebuchadnezzar synonymous with Satan is still constructing his image and many people are bowing down it. Satan is a musician and a musical instrument. His job before he fell was to lead all heaven in worship; he is a musical leader. He is still musical and inspires music. God loves music and Satan knows the power of music, so music is a constant battle field. Music will motivate you worship with intensity or make you fall to idolatry. No one can say that MTV and all music channels do not have an effect to their spiritual state; they do affect you. You cannot take Nebuchadnezzar’s (Satan) music and stand for long; you will definitely bow down and worship him. POWER OF MUSIC TO MAN: – MUSIC UNCOVERS The greatest power music has is to uncover a person to spiritual intimacy with either the Holy Spirit or the evil spirit. When we start singing we start worshiping either the Satan or God and as we continue we find ourselves completely taken over spiritually. This is the uncovering of ourselves spiritually and after a spirit takes dominion of you, the actions which follow are depended on the spirit in control of you. When you listen to satanic or Demonic music you start uncovering yourself to the evil spirit and the more you listen the more the evil spirit is takes control of you. The same applies to listening to Gospel music. When you listen to Gospel music, you start uncovering yourself to the Holy Spirit and the more you listen the more he takes control of you. Reason you will find people dancing and singing to music without being ashamed. If you are listening to Demonic music, you will sing dance dirty or evil and you will not be ashamed. You have seen people singing and dancing to gospel music without being ashamed. I have seen this severally where a Christian sings until s/he is completely taken over by the Holy Spirit and s/he is not ashamed or have fear of how s/he is singing, who is watching him/her, what others are thinking of him/her etc. We see this uncovering of heavenly music in 2 Samuel 6. After bringing in the ark of covenant, David dance to the lord and uncovered himself. 2 Sam 6:20: Then David returned to bless his household.  And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovering himself! David was not ashamed but Michal was. David was the one who was dancing not Michal so Michal was only watching David. This is a true picture of what happens to us when we are singing to God in truth and in spirit. Those who watch us are ashamed of our spiritual true worship to God. Do not be ashamed to sing in spirit to God. Those people ashamed by your sincere praise to God answer them like David did. 2Sam 6:21: And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. When we are spiritually singing to God, the music uncovers us to God. We became unashamed, unhindered by our weaknesses, our sins are fully uncovered to God and we truly present our real self to God. This lets us truly worship God in truth and in spirit because the spirit takes dominion and comes above the body and the soul for intimacy with Jesus Christ. You have seen this as i explained in how to honour God. Satan or demonic music uncovers you to worship of Satan. This leads to evil acts likes sex, crime, hate, jealousy, adultery, fornication, lust, love of money etc. Do not be surprised to see people having sex or sex orgies as they sing and dance or after singing and dancing to demonic music. Through Satanic music, demons are easy to come upon a person and take control of the person. Singing or dancing to satanic music is directly praising and worshiping Satan as singing and dancing to gospel music is directly praising and worshiping God. The more you take in Satanic Music, the more you find yourself being draw to it, the more you bow down to worship him. Remember that you are not that strong as you think you are and the more you take Nebuchadnezzar’s (Satanic) music you will definitely bow down and worship him. Let us be careful of the music we take in, sing and dance to. Credit: BiblicalTruthCenter.com