Is Secular Music Sinful?
Music Is Everywhere
Secular music is ubiquitous, inescapable in daily life. We hear it on the radio, social media, commercials, company jingles, birthday songs, malls, grocery stores, and phone notifications—all secular. We cannot demand others silence their secular music simply because we follow a faith-based path. The true church is not called to judge the world—Elohim alone holds that authority. Our role, as part of the church, is to discern within it, understanding that believers and non-believers form distinct groups. We must navigate both peacefully, guided by Scripture.
Faith-based music is beneficial because its lyrics, ideally, align with faith-based teachings, free from profanity, foul, or perverse speech. Instruments do not make a song religious; the focus on Elohim’s character does—whether His kindness, discipline, warnings, or fierce anger, all rooted in His unfailing love. Religious songs are not limited to kindness or need; prophetic songs in older writings also address disobedience, El’s anger and the consequences of sin. Yet, such songs are fading as the world’s love for Elohim grows cold and fear of Him wanes due to corrupt teachings.
Distinguishing religious from secular music lies in the lyrics, not the instruments. This discernment helps determine whether a believer should listen to a song, religious or secular. Even religious music can be an abomination if its lyrics are inaccurate. Thus, we must carefully evaluate all music, as some secular songs may be more edifying than certain modern Christian ones.
Is Listening to Secular Music a Sin?
The question of whether secular music is sinful is complex, hinging on lyrics and spiritual maturity. For those ignoring Elohim’s law, discernment—whether of music, actions, or speech—is nearly impossible, regardless of their role in a church. Alienating ourselves from Elohim’s law leads to judgment based on personal opinions, not His Spirit, even while holding a Bible.
To discern music according to Elohim’s Spirit, we must avoid human emotions, traditional teachings, or worldly thinking. This requires a thorough approach, grounded in Scripture.
Leaders
In visiting churches, I observe varied leadership approaches. Some leaders prioritize scriptural accuracy, avoiding extraneous rules, while others impose excessive precautions, creating “hedges upon hedges.” These man-made rules, mistaken for biblical mandates, burden congregations, leading to unjust judgment. Yeshua came to dismantle such oppressive rules. Discernment should not rely solely on a pastor’s interpretation unless they calmly answer questions and provide clear biblical evidence.
Understanding Your Part
Record all verses a leader uses to explain their stance, then study the entire chapter(s) at home to grasp their full meaning and origin. If a verse references another, trace it back to its source, often in older writings, for its original intent. Many modern Christians overlook this, falling into traps set by corrupt or unqualified leaders. Neglecting a prophet’s cited verse leaves it open to misinterpretation.
Churches
Some modern churches mislabel strict adherence to the Commandments as “legalism,” misusing the term. Scripture celebrates careful obedience as true faith, not legalism. For example, Elizabeth (Luke 1:6) meticulously kept Elohim’s commandments, and Ananias (Acts 22:12) was “a godly man, deeply devoted to the law,” not a legalist, when sent to Paul.
As Scripture states:
“A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus.” (Acts 22:12)
“And they [Zachariah and Elizabeth] were both righteous before Elohim, blamelessly walking in all the commands and righteousnesses of Yah.” (Luke 1:6, TS2009)
Why the Scenic Route?
Am I drifting away for the main topic? Absolutely not. When teaching Scripture, I provide biblical context and laws before concluding, equipping those seeking perfect adherence to the Commandments to understand my doctrine’s foundation. In a blog—a one-way communication—I must explain my reasoning transparently. As a Torah deciple, I avoid mere interpretation, grounding my rationale in Scripture, which corrects errors and dismantles false arguments as the ultimate law.
Is Listening to Secular Music a Sin?
Addressing the core question: Is listening to secular music sinful? The answer depends on context, as El’s laws are immutable, yet personal application varies. In this lesson, I will provide a clear discernment tool, avoiding vague platitudes.
Allow me to introduce the tool.
Musical Instruments
Musical instruments are neutral, amplifying a song’s message to capture attention and deliver its lyrics effectively. As interest aids learning, instruments are neither sinful nor godly. Discernment should never focus on the type of instruments used, especially if they merely influence emotions.
Convictions
Conviction, guided by the Holy Spirit, is essential to faith. However, convictions are not exclusive to believers; unbelievers experience them, shaped by their understanding. In faith, convictions align with Scripture, while corrupted doctrine yields flawed convictions. In false religions, impure convictions may prompt harmful actions to others, yet ignoring them causes grief. Scripture teaches that disregarding personal convictions is sinful (Romans 14:23). For example, a former alcoholic may feel convicted to avoid alcohol, while another may not. Personal convictions, rooted in Scripture, guide righteousness, tailored to individual weaknesses, not the masses.
Hearing
Hearing is neutral per Scripture. We are accountable for words and actions, not mere exposure. We cannot filter what we hear, so hearing alone is not sinful. Consequences arise from acting on what we hear. For example, overhearing someone curse their parents does not make us accountable unless we act similarly. This applies to sight; guilt stems from actions, not exposure. Elohim and Yeshua, as witnesses (with the Holy Spirit as a third), observe all—adultery, murder, slander—yet remain holy, as they cannot sin. Thus, sin depends on actions, not what we hear or see.
Discerning Music
No music is inherently sinful absent conviction. We cannot judge others based on personal convictions. My discernment principle when I feel conviction: What law is broken? If none, it is likely a personal conviction. Modern religion often misjudges music due to ignorance, applying blanket rules rather than seeking deeper scriptural understanding, often relying solely on the New Testament while rejecting older writings. This breeds denominations rooted in personal opinions, not Elohim’s. Placing massive burdens on the congregation.
Influence
Influence determines the impact of what we hear or see. Without discernment, music can sway future actions. I advise those new to faith to avoid secular music if they feel convicted—not because it is sinful, but because its influence may tempt regression for the ungrounded, especially if it drove ungodly behavior in their past.
Secular
“Secular” does not mean sinful. We interact with secular people daily without sinning. Whether through conversation or song, content—not the medium—matters. If accused of listening to secular music at work, I note that engaging with secular speech is no different. Discernment hinges on scriptural laws, not assumptions or traditions.
My Personal View
At work, music enhances efficiency and focus, accelerating my day and workload completion. In some settings, religious music is divisive, unsettling those unready for faith, so employers restrict it for harmony. As the only Torah disciple at my workplace, I view other faiths as a possible stepping stones for truth-seekers. I listen to romantic music, such as the singer Sade (select songs only) and 1980s/1990s freestyle (select tracks only), which focus on young love, akin to the Song of Solomon, poetically celebrating love and metaphorically reflecting El’s love (e.g., Psalms 23, 136). I avoid songs glorifying adultery, fornication, murder, or immorality, immediately skipping them on platforms like Apple Music. If distracted, I switch songs upon recognizing problematic lyrics. Some freestyle songs glorify ungodly actions; those I skip. This reminds me to create a playlist to prevent such oversights.
I prefer my own music which aligns with my faith, restoring scriptural adherence to El’s law, unlike much modern Christian music, which often omits it. Unable to play such music at work, I choose romantic secular music, discerning content to align with my convictions. There is no sin in this.
Conclusion
To discern music accurately, study Scripture and Elohim’s character; otherwise, you rely on human thinking. Focus on lyrics: Do they glorify murder, adultery, fornication, ungodly speech, or actions as good or praiseworthy? If so, skip the song. Discernment hinges on speech and actions, not emotions or personal preferences such as genre.
If I encounter someone seeking Elohim, regardless of denomination, I ask if they feel convicted listening to secular music. If they do, I turn it off or use headphones. Persuading others to ignore their personal convictions violates their conscience, which is a sin against Yeshua.
As the Scriptures say,
“Now sinning in this way against the brothers, and wounding their weak conscience, you sin against Messiah.”
Qorintiyim Aleph (1 Corinthians) 8:12 TS2009
However, It is not a sin to dialogue and persuade other denominations to follow Yah’s laws, even if they feel impure conviction due to corrupt teachings. This is very common in modern religion regarding Elohim’s laws.
Did my answer leave you wanting? Seeking a simple yes or no? That suggests you’re not after understanding, perhaps trained by modern religion to expect blanket answers. You won’t find those here. With the tools I provided, you can discern any music if you paid attention. Seek explanations rooted in Scripture, not yes-or-no responses. Follow this advice and you will succeed.
Modern religions often fail to recognize that understanding Yah’s law liberates us from its penalties, as the law gives sin its power (1 Corinthians 15:56). Spiritual freedom arises from comprehending and adhering to Elohim’s law, not from disregarding it. Scripture never suggests otherwise.
Summary
To avoid redundancy, let me say it again-every song, every context, every place, and every person’s level of understanding is unique. Still, with the tools I shared, discernment stays simple.
Shalom