Its In The Music

2 Kings 3:14 MSG "Elisha said, "As God-of-the-Angel-Armies lives, and before whom I stand ready to serve, if it weren't for the respect I have for Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I wouldn't give you the time of day. But considering—bring me a minstrel." (When a minstrel played, the power of God came on Elisha.)"

 

Music. The language of our generation. We are in a time where there are so many genres and thousands of songs coming out every year. As a matter of fact most of TVs top shows have to do about music: American Idol, The Voice, Singing Bee, Americas Got Talent, and more. Channels are dedicated specifically to the music, channels like MTV, BET, CMT, & even the Radio Channels. Rarely will you see a teenager in America without headphones on or around their neck. Even as I write this blog I am listening to music from my iPhone on Pandora Application. Music? Yes I think its become a big deal.

With such a high infiltration of music does it have any influence on our behaviors, feelings, direction?

In the story of 2Kings Chapter Three, three kings set out for war against the king of Moab only to find themselves in the desert with no water and call for Elisha for guidance.  Elisha seemed already irritated after all he was amongst them without the water and it wasn't until now that they wanted to know what God wanted them to do. The king of Israel had been a wicked king but the king of Judah had been a God fearing king so for his sake Elisha was willing to help.  However, Elisha seems to be a little irritated and need to get focused so what did he do? He called for a minstrel, a musician. Once the music started playing Elisha's countenance changed and the Spirit of God came upon him!

I remember playing football in high school and before every game we would sit in weight room in complete silence, no talking, no joking, no conversing, just complete silence  ... except for the music.  The music that was playing was motivational songs like "We are the Champions", Rocky's "Eye of the Tiger", and much more. Needless to say, it was blasting in order that each athlete will focus on the game and prepare themselves for the sport.

Now we can argue all day, and many would, that music does not have a big influence in their life, but I beg to differ. And that is why it is so important that we do be careful of the music we allow into our ears, which travel to our brain, that alters our heart/behavior/spirit.

Many a times I have turned on the news and seen teenagers doing profound things, being arrested, even dying. And why? All because they were acting out that which the listen to. You listen to love music and not married you're going to find yourself A) lonely & depressed wishing you had someone or B) exalting the one your with above the Lord and falling into sexual sins. You listen to secular hardcore rap (that we put #1 on the charts) you're going to find yourself A) having a negative outlook on a lot of people, walking in hate and lust or B) acting them out in violence of beat downs and rape.

I was a Youth Pastor for 10 years and urged teenagers to be careful what they listen to only to see many fall away to the lust of the world because they couldn't let go of their music. You can say that wasn't it and it has no influence but I can ask them what they listen to and their actions were the result of their hearing.

Elisha's attitude was altered because of the music. You're attitude will be altered by the music you listen to. The question is what are you listening to? What will you allow yourself to become? Be warned.

IT'S IN THE MUSIC!