it took college for me to realize how much I freaking love/rely on/can’t live without music.
when I’m stressed out, exhausted, studying, bored, hungry, you name it… I turn to music.
when I became increasingly more stressed out, exhausted, prone to studying, etc. when I got to college, I realized something. Music has a strange way of affecting the way I feel.
I’m not a huge fan of mainstream music (specifically rap), but I make an exception when I work out (in fact, I have a special workout playlist for this purpose alone). Nothing makes me more in the mood to run on an elliptical machine than kanye or eminem. I swear, worship music really doesn’t have the same effect (I tried).
but then I actually looked at the lyrics to what I was listening to. and I was disgusted, to say the least.
I realized that the very reason why those songs are perfect for working out - the fact that they make me feel angry, unworthy, and materialistic - is also the reason why I shouldn’t be listening to them.
because it’s impossible, for me, at least, to simultaneously “flee evil” (1 Tim. 6:11) and be entertained by it.
“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” -Luke 6:45
I always thought the phrase “guard your heart” only applied to relationships. But I can’t pretend that my heart is only susceptible to boys. Nor can I rationalize that I don’t need to control what forms of media I allow to be exposed to my heart. And it comes down to this: Am I putting things in my heart that I don’t want to see in my words or actions?
Honestly, I don’t believe that there’s anything inherently wrong with mainstream music. But I shouldn’t be asking myself, “Is this acceptable?” No, the question I should be asking is, “Will this promote holiness?”
And in this case, definitely not.
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ifalliknewaboutteenscamefrom said:
That’s why the best workout music is oldies and Disney soundtracks. Beach Boys, Beatles, anything Motown. And have you forgotten our Arizona “get psyched” song? I dare you to not run faster when you hear, “Let’s get down to business!” :)
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