Navigating The Music Industry as a Christian (Part 1)

Navigating the music industry as a Christian, beginning with my journey....
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[@peonypevanski8820]

Y'know as a Christian, I needed to hear this. Thank you for your videos Mark 💙

[@blockpartyvintage1568]

It was Joe Schimmel's documentaries that made me wake up to music. I had to walk away from it no matter how much it meant to me.

[@shawndiesel007]

Love Pastor Joe! I've been blessed to be able to attend his church for a while. So few churches out there that seem worth attending.

[@BrotherTris]

Check out ‘Hells Bells 2’ as well, a genuinely excellent documentary on this subject

[@gklein82]

For me too. Watching his videos on Hollywood made me open my eyes to the world of Satanism. It’s insane! Watching Mark’s videos on Know Your Enemy opened my eyes to how Satan works since the Garden of Eden. 🤯😢 That’s how God got me to rethink my listening choices. I asked God to take away my desire for secular music and He answered my prayer and I have made Christian music my go-to. I have to be very careful with Christian music as well don’t get me wrong. Just because someone calls themselves a Christian artist doesn’t mean I will listen to your music. There has to be discernment on my part.

[@estebanramirez1196]

Wow I’ve literally been struggling with listening to my old hip hop music I really need this thanks bro

[@blessedandfavoured5941]

Thank you dear brother in Christ. Please keep up the good work 🙏🏾 The struggle is real and affects every form of entertainment including the “fictional novel” industry, which I am struggling against. I pray that we will overcome by His special grace 🙏🏾 keep the faith

[@rlVan-mc3wq]

I am deleting the last of my secular music (before hearing this). The Holy Spirit led me to do this and while doing it, you posted this. Amen and God bless you! Thank you Lord for leading us and giving us your Holy Spirit. Help us to not grieve Him.

[@pottersurrenderedclay]

God bless you and may God bless your life due to your obedience and humility. Its so encouraging to hear people who genuinely love God!

[@PavelT.Nedyalkov]

I did the same thing the year I first believed.

[@ianhansen6840]

Listen to Bach! Every single piece is praise music

[@alphamegaradio]

It boils down to discernment, which you talked a great deal about here. As a lifelong touring musician & songwriter, I've done the same (listening), playing, recording, performing. My musical journey helped pull me away from the Lord. And it would be music that helped lead me back. Music is a gift of God. It pre-exists creation and humanity itself. When it comes to "hard" or "soft" music, I believe it's a matter of taste. What's more important: the message and the vibe. Some Christian music glorifies God (regardless of style), while some glorifies self and the world, which is the same as secular music. Discernment. Thank you for this video, Mark!

[@enigmaticpro]

This was appropriate and perfectly relevant. I am completely convicted. Awesome job, Mark. Thank you.

[@OffDoodyDad78]

Good stuff and now I can't wait for the next video! I remember as a teen going to my first White Zombie concert in Hollywood. I went to countless white zombie, Marilyn Manson, Metallica, etc concerts. I grew out of those and moved more to Tool. About two years ago now I was saved by Jesus. I haven't listened to any of that music. My absolute favorite now are hymns and Shane & Shane is my favorite band now. Crazy. I was worshiping self and evil once but now I worship God. My son was telling me about playing twinkle twinkle little star backwards just last night. He's only 8. I didn't blow him off but didn't put much into the discussion. I'm going to share this video with him and the ones to follow. Music and worship seem to go hand in hand and I dont want my kids making the same mistake I did.

[@alphamegaradio]

Brother, I was a bonafide metalhead (still am in ways) since I was a young boy. Absolutely loved it, because THAT "style" resonated with me, who wanted to learn to play rock guitar & be on stages like my musical heroes. And I did just that. I wanted the "world" to adore me & my God-given gift, but more so, I wanted to write evergreen music that would be enjoyed long after I was gone from this world. Your testimony is powerful & real. After I repented & came back to Christ (for good), I... like you... took a break from all secular music & listened to only Christian music. It was new, uncharted territory for me, but it brought such a closeness to God that I'd never felt before. AFTER that "sabbatical" from secular music, I gradually began selectively re-introducing some of it back in, but in a discerning way. There are some songs I absolutely can't listen to anymore. Songs I used to LOVE & crank up every time I heard them... that my conscience would say "no" to now. Even today, I listen to music constantly. 90% of it is Christian (even some of THAT - you have to be careful with). At the end of the day, "Does it glorify God?" "If it doesn't directly glorify God, does it have something positive, wise, and useful, as a takeaway?" Or even take instrumental music. "Is it just beautiful to listen to?... Invigorating?... Moving (in good ways)?" For new Christians, I'd suggest dodging secular music until one's walk is more mature in Christ, as to not be stumbled or tricked by the enemy. For the mature Christian, "All things are permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial." God Bless!

[@luizcorona777]

I can attest to this my beloved brother, I have a testimony about such a temptation where I was letting back in soft and melancholic type music, beginning with Radiohead, then the rest followed. Soon I was drinking again thinking I was just doing very little. It has also been a while since I've prayed or even read the Bible, my fleshly desires took over. The great thing that happened to me was hearing the gospel again and now restored to the Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you brother

[@robertandersson68]

Now it became very interesting. Yes, music has a great impact on young people growing up, even in Christendom. I myself was born in 1968 and have a lot to say on this subject. But it will be very exciting to see what you come up with. Blessings from Sweden 🙏🇸🇪

[@antoniotuquero5083]

Thank you so much for this The Fuel Project.You are such a blessing. May the Lord continue to give you wisdom and knowledge. God bless us all.

[@richiefoerster7574]

Was being reminded of these truths for the last couple years. I don't think people realize how much power we give to the spell we chant over ourselves as we recite certain song lyrics.

[@MJ-ce6tv]

Great video, Mark, and one close to my own heart. It’s interesting that you should cover this very subject at a the same time I’m considering my “musical” past. For far too long, before I became a Christian, my identity was built around and upon the music I listened to. I still have many hundreds of CDs and have contemplated getting rid of the lot of them (excluding my classical ones). 5years ago, this would have been an unimaginable thing to do but I can honestly say that I would not miss them. Rejecting secular and contemporary culture, in it’s entirety, has been a very liberating thing to do and I don’t miss it one bit. I not saying others should do the same but I am astounded at the changes in me. Keep up the good work.

[@HosannaJesusSaves]

You back 😃 😊 😀

[@SuperTruthSeeker4U]

Wonderful message and looking forward to the next part

[@laurahicks9558]

I loved Biggie Smalls in my twenties. As I cultivated my spiritual garden, I became appalled at what I accepted as "normal".

[@k.d.5603]

I've always been a big Snoop, Dre, Tupac fan and gave it all up. It's one of the best things we can do.

[@chesza]

I started listening again and this artist(Lil Drippy) says that he'll fight Jesus at the second coming

[@crazybeautifullens]

Even before I knew about backmasking there were secular songs that I would listen to and my spirit wouldn't feel right. It wasn't all secular music. Just some. But because I didn't understand it I would continue listening to them regardless. But in the recent years as I started to understand the dark forces behind the music industry, I then began to understand why my spirit (or conscious) was uncomfortable when I would listen to them. So now I follow what my spirit/conscious says - ie if I am uncomfortable when a particular song plays then I cease to listen to it. I tend to shy away from letting people tell me which artists or music is evil etc because that also leads to confusion and paranoia. I just trust that God will speak to me through my conscious (as He always does) about these things. So when it comes to music I assess it on a case-by-case basis at this stage 🤷🏾‍♀️ Of course there are artists who I've wholly decided to stay away from because generally they show ties to darkness - and that includes certain "Christian" music from charismatic churches who show signs of being linked to the occult. I just throw the baby with the bathwater on those. But generally my approach is assessing music on an individual basis. It's no perfect science but...hey, what is a perfect science in our Christian walk? 🤷🏾‍♀️ As an side.- the jury is still out of Red Hot Chilli Peppers for me right now. I love some of their music but other songs have my spirit/conscious feeling some sort of way *sigh* The struggle continues...😅

[@brandonr.8696]

I've had a similar relationship with music since I've become a Christian 18 years ago, where music that I used to like started to be revealed at how dark and spiritually unhealthy it is. I've stopped listening to a number of artists and shied away from others (NIN, Tool, Slipknot). But I still listen to a lot of music that, let's say pastors from the nineties, would not approve of. One of the things that keeps me listening to at least some of it is the honesty in the lyrics. While some/most of it isn't truthful, a fair amount of it is honest to the place that the artist is, and I think, for those that can handle it, it is important to listen to. One of the songs that comes to mind is "Ronald Regan" by Killer Mike. Absolutely secular, seeping with anger and bitterness, but in the lyrics, you hear him rapping about things that made him "him", and by extension, you can hear the mind of those that vibe with the music. He's telling you what events and what policies shaped him. And understanding, not just the what people are, but the why they are that way, I think is remarkably important.

[@stevegeorge6131]

When I found out that U2 was fully celebrating abortion in Ireland, I dumped all their stuff

[@werneresterhuizen2968]

Hi Sir. I really love your videos. And I also started a KZbin channel. However I really want to make videos like yours. It's such a struggle to make them because I don't know where you get the royalty free media. I lost my passion for KZbin because I want to make videos like this but I don't know how.

[@vico100]

Great!

[@nanniej2728]

I use to listen to alot of secular music & So much even though i would call myself “Christian “ But now thank God i dont listen to secular music anymore , Please if anyone does turn away from It if the Holy Spirit leds you to turn away from it , i listened to it so much it would become repetitive in my mind . 🥺 But thank God Almighty That I came To Know Him More and Start listening to Biblically sound Music

[@newkingdom6750]

Mark what do you think about just listening to particular songs from secular artists that aren't "sinful" in the lyrics? I struggled with this too.. and I'm not a huge fan of most of the Christian music I've found, but I really enjoy music..

[@accidentalmusic2749]

Just gotta listen to the song forward duhhhhhh

[@wryght]

Hey. I'm looking forward to the next part of this subject. Unless I'm interpreting you incorrectly, you seem to think that all "heavy" music is bad. (Correct me if I'm wrong). I'll encourage you that 'heavy' or 'light' or 'pop' or 'jazz' or any kind of music is not inherently bad just because of the style. Soft rock can be bad too. What matters is the content of the lyrics, not musical composition. Take this heavy example from a christian psychedelic band. Great heavy music, great lyrics. All good IMO: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5iQi6KLhrCmqpY

[@liamdoyle2828]

I'm wary of Scripture being misquoted and James 3:10-11 is talking about cursing brothers with the same mouth you praise God with. Far better to aim for Paul's discussion of eating food sacrificed to idols - the parallels actually exist there. But there's a problem - Paul lands on saying we are free to enjoy, as long as non-believers are not concerned about us eating that. So that seems to undermine the main message of this video (see Romans 14 and 1 Cor 8; 10:23 -31). Hey if your conscience is disturbed and you have a personal conviction about this music, stay away - anything not done in faith is sin, Romans 14:5. But to make that a rule for others to follow... It then seems you miss the whole point if Romans 14, which focuses on the freedom we have as believers. If you're sharing your own convictions awesome, but accusing every Christian who enjoys and is blessed by secular music of being a hypocrite suddenly seems to make you pharisaical, and Romans 14 is literally about NOT passing judgment on each other. Am I now passing judgment on you by pointing out the judgment you're passing on those who disagree with you? Hmmm.... After all to the pure all things are pure (Titus 1:5) and nothing should be rejected if it's received with thanksgiving (1 Tim 4:4). But maybe I'm just trying justify my own foibles here. Though recognising the God given gift that is music even from nom-Christians strikes me more as a common-grace gift than something to simply be avoided. However, I'm supposed to be willing to give up anything that makes the weaker brother stumble... Lots of growing in this area in particular and all areas in general.

[@rossduncan4187]

Matthew 12:34 for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. Mark 7:21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

[@menziesd8511]

What insight. Please explore actual Christian pop music. Some of it feels like average circular music. Not Godly

[@peonypevanski8820]

Yeah that's true, that is a good example of _The devil disguises himself as an angel of light_ which can even be seen in secular "Christian" music today.

[@TheRevanchist43]

Mark, I got to say. I love the work of the fuel project. Your "Stay Free" , "War on Truth" , and "Know your enemy" series are amazing. Your Revelation study really misses the mark, and we could discuss that as you don't d on the footwork in a different series and miss d how it ties into Revelation. And I agree with what you are laying the groundwork here for. But you do invalidate what you say when you take Nirvana's song Rape Me and state that it is about Rape. It is a song about how he felt he was being treated by the music industry. It is a terrible metifor. No worthy of the horror and trauma of rape. But the song is not about Rape. So non believers that have heard the song and know the s are going to go click and turn it off.

[@theprophecy11]

Nirvana is so bad ...awful music. Black Sabbath with Dio is brilliant and no, it's not satanic.

[@fell4754]

Very apt words. Thank you for the work and thoughtfulness you put into your videos!

[@moisturisedgnome1181]

Sounds like the John Todd testimony..?

[@lockpoppers3263]

Alot of Christian artists have sold their soul and some of the music is masked. Be very careful what you listen to. I was shocked to listen to I believe one of my favs played backwards. It's a shame the devil has infiltrated every aspect of society and culture and so I barely listen to any music now and no tv. When God opened my eyes 2 yrs ago I could then see the evil everywhere! I am so glad to be saved and baptized in the name of Jesus. Be very discriminating what you expose your soul to! 🙏❤✝️

[@jessmess9485]

I was listening to a Christian song one day and they were singing about rising out of the ashes-I’ve heard that phrase referenced before regarding the Phoenix rising-Satan. The god of this world works hard to deceive.

[@GraveyardTricks]

You quoted two, only two, bible verses towards the end of the video! I'm not counting the verse from James because that is talking about what you say, not what you listen to you. If you want to make a compelling case, rather than guilt people into thinking "it's your music or God", you must understand the word and properly convey it to us in more than two verses you pick to support your ideas. Show me where in the new covenant that this is what Jesus asks of us. All the people saying you're deleting all the good music in your life, wait to see the negative effect it has. You will tell yourself it's the right thing to do and pretend to feel good about it. It's absolutely unnecessary to think you need to remove it from your life and I never will fall for such foolishness. God created music and we're all children of God. It helps us grow. To experience all the highs and lows of this world through this art form. How is shutting yourself off from it completely going to be a benefit. You're just acting like someone putting their fingers in their ears, closing their eyes, and going "lalalalalala", as if you can pretend you're not on the same Earth as everyone else. That christian praise stuff that I have to sit through every Sunday would make God cringe. The way church spends more time playing shit music than even attempting to deliver a good message is why I prefer to sit with people and actually study the bible, properly understand what is written, share in that knowledge and wisdom rather than sit around singing bland repetitive songs and pretend that's a service. You know what the problem with non-secular music is? It has no soul. It's empty, lifeless music and they have absolutely no idea how to sing from their heart. Please tell me why I should fill my mind with music that is completely soulless?? I will always celebrate the drugs I've done. The music I grew up listening to. The places I've been and things I've done. Because it's made me who I am. I am a good person and it shows in my life, in my work, where I am today and the people who love me. I will never regret my past. I am so glad of who it's made me today. And you just expect people to throw away the music that influenced their lives. I know God will never fault me for the music I listen to. He isn't cruel. When I'm judged it will be for how I've treated people. I don't mean any disrespect, but this video is completely out of touch with reality. Just because you don't agree with some lyrics, it doesn't mean you have to be jaded about it. You don't have to act like it changes you for worse by hearing it. You can't say to people you have to choose between secular music and God. That is such a harmful message to push onto people. If it makes you feel better, that's fine, but it shouldn't sit right with you to pressure other people. That is much worse than anything they could be listening to on a huge scale. By saying that we put music above Jesus is saying that you're better than them and they must be better too. Trying to guilt them into making a decision. Giving them an ultimatum that you don't have the power to give. Are you really that weak spiritually that you need to remove all music but approved christian music from your life because you're afraid it will taint your soul? I'm not afraid of the devil. I don't run away scared when I see or hear something that isn't holy.

[@okn3297]

Great video, one of the biggest changes I made when I became a Christian was ditching all of my secular music which promoted ungodly things. Lately I’ve been backsliding a few times and it’s true at first the conscience is present but the more you ignore it the more it fades, and the further into darkness you go. Would appreciate prayers too, as I have been losing battles with temptation.

[@benjaminfrancis6475]

This video has brought me to do something I’ve never done before, comment on a KZbin video. I can’t believe this video has been made. I’ve been thinking for a while that music has such a strong hold on me, especially rock (and heavy rock at that Korn, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins to name a few). It’s my biggest interest and the thought of having to give it up is crippling. This has come at a time where I am at a crossroad in my life. I have absorbed so much secular content throughout my life (mainly music, drugs, sex) and though I believe I’m “keeping a lid on it” the majority of the time, the thought of giving these things up forever in pursuit of Christ scares me. Music, especially, forms such a huge part of my identity. That being said, great video man. So refreshing and relatable to hear someone who has struggled with the same interests. Thank you, can’t wait for the next one 🙏

[@taniateich8329]

I can relate to you. Was into all sorts of drugs, drinking, etc and went to trance parties and raves etc. When confronted with letting go of my music in pursuit of Christ, l initially thought l would never be able to do that. But l did with God's help and l burned all those cd's. I felt so free after that! When l grew up l didn't have access to most of the music videos which l listened to. Would see some of them on You Tube years later and was shocked. I never looked back after burning those cd's. The music l listened to was really dark. I praise God for saving me.

[@kjkernSerendipity]

I suggest Good Fight Ministries They Sold Their Soul for Rock and Roll series. It might help give you some clarity.

[@SweetHeart-vc6zy]

Also be very careful with Christian music too.

[@benjaminfrancis6475]

@@SweetHeart-vc6zy can't see that being an issue. The "music" of Hillsong and Bethel is just too painfully simple and repetitive to capture my imagination. However, so many Christians seem to be caught up in it

[@eart5657]

Check out Mark Devlin and Jeremiah Cohen, both talk in depth about the satanic side of the music industry.

[@rosamiranda4676]

I gave up secular music after watching the know your enemy series and that was when you first put it out. All those years ago! Then life punched me in the gut 8 years ago. It was one bad thing after another. I failed. I eventually went back to the old familiar music that like you said, relates to me. I haven't stopped and like you said I started off soft, and it gradually got worse. I feel in my heart that I should turn around but I make excuses. This is the first time anyone that I follow has posted about music in a long while. I'm glad you're doing this. I pray I can get back to where I was before and do even better than I was then. I don't wanna put anything above my Lord. Thanks for the nudge. 💗

[@k.d.5603]

I'm right there with you and deleted all of my secular music and playlists. You'll be glad you did💗

[@shereehaus5712]

Great topic and excellent vid! Looking forward to the next one and hope you're seeing what I've been noticing with much of the CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) leading into the feel-good ecumenical movement. Pied Piper. For example, when people bowed to the statue King Neb set up, they didn't bow until the music played. I believe music is being used to lead people into worship of a false image of God and the music has become an idol itself for many in Churchianity.

[@alphamegaradio]

Amen!

[@KennethSee]

I’ve often felt my conscience pricked about my choice of entertainment medium (mainly Japanese anime) and the often lewd or sexual nature of the shows therein. I’ve told myself “okay, I’ll avoid those shows and only watch the wholesome ones” which then leads to me watching shows with anti-Christian messaging. I’m looking forward to this series. It might be the salve I need to unsear my conscience.

[@clownworldcitizen3505]

So much Anime is filled with occultic messages and filth. I gave it up simply because finding a good Anime was so hard to find. I decided to dedicate my time elsewhere.

[@oceandreams9916]

@@clownworldcitizen3505 I agree so much if it is this, Iargely don't watch it anymore as it's so hard to find shows that arnt like that

[@okn3297]

@@oceandreams9916 True, a lot of believers who watched anime had the same problem, I haven’t looked into it but some sports/hobby based anime could be ok, but again there’s a lot of nude ish scenes.

[@NazSBG]

Declaring Jesus as my Lord & Saviour in 2005, the journey of change He has took me on around my music tastes, movies etc has been interesting to track. My conscience really challenges me when I find myself listening to secular music. I never really took music lyrics in, well I never understood what was being sung in the music I was really into until I became a believer in Jesus. Now I am thankful I am very much aware of the lyrics in the stuff I listened to. I do still listen to secular music but try my best to keep to decent artists like Gregory Porter. I do enjoy American country music although it can be close to the knuckle with its raw lyrics of love & Whiskey, but mixed in with talk of big old rivers, usually the Missisippi and God/Jesus. Very much into Louis Armstrong and some of the old crooner stuff at present, too. I listened to a preach by Justin Peters and John Macarthur a while ago where they pull apart some of the lyrics to Hillsong, Bethel & Jesus Culture music and how some of the lyrics are very questionable on a theological level. I think we have to, as Christians be mindful of Christian labelled music too, especially as the church, over the years, has seen more of a worldly influence seep into it.

[@howardbabcom]

Music, like any gift provided, is either going to facilitate good or ill in respect to how we use it. Songs revolving around sexual perversion, drug taking or occult participation should clearly be put on a 'no go zone' list, but there's plenty of contemporary music that just celebrates great things in life, so there's clearly (is a Solomonic sense - as noted in Ecclesiastes) a place for such pleasures, so long as they don't consume us or diminish our faith in the single purity of the Gospel.

[@pmdl23]

Seems our tastes were similar- there were 2 times I threw out all my secular CD's. The 2nd time I meant it. I remember hearing in church as well about backward masking and rock music being the devil's music. I pretty much snickered at it then, but I completely agree with that now. It led me away from my Lord, and not only me, but my family, too. It gives you a spirit of rebellion and while there is a song for every situation...those songs never have an answer and what's more, can lead you down an even darker path of despair! Only Jesus, He is the true light and life! Only Jesus is the answer! I love the hymns, pure and beautiful and full of worship, praising my Saviour all the day long! :)

[@Joshwaaaar1]

Thank you so much for posting this video Mark! I have several close Christian friends who listen to secular pop music everyday yet it greaves my soul when I hear the lyrics of these songs - they say they ignore the words but it’s impossible to as they are subliminally absorbed. Each time I say how shocked I am and how this doesn’t sit well with my conscience or glorify God they imply I’m being too legalistic. It’s tough as music is so powerful and I don’t want to see my fellow brothers and sisters continue listening to this wicked material. I will prayerfully share your video with them and pray it speaks to them and they have ears to hear.

[@k.d.5603]

I deleted all of my secular music including my favorite, Lana Del Rey, because of this.

[@monadouc9368]

I’m studying music in the Bible and it’s interesting how Lucifer is described as making beautiful music then in Gods presence. I’d love to see a video on on Lucifer may still be influencing music today. We see people like Cardi B, Lil Nas X, the Weekend… all these artists with symbolism and lyrics offensive and attacking God/Jesus. They worship sex/gender like a god and I don’t think that’s just them being provocative. I think it’s intentional and they are swaying youth at an alarming rate. Check your kids playlists and print out the lyrics for them to see how vial the words are in black and white. It’s shocking.

[@phillipmadahar5438]

This series is worth checking out, on the fallen angel still influencing music today. kzbin.info/aero/PLNomdEoen2NU3QS5OCJFhSclfNDTv4d6x

[@alphamegaradio]

You're absolutely right. Scripture indicates that when Lucifer was the guardian cherub, one of his designed characteristics was musical - deliberate by God, in creating him. Music is a POWERFUL influence and tool for both good and evil. The enemy knows this, and has used this to lure people into the world, into themselves, into worldly flesh things and mindsets. The battle is in the mind. God also knows this, and uses music as one of His own many tools to point people to Him, His ways, and His mindset. It's still the classic Romans 7 & 8 battle of the flesh-led mind vs. the Spirit-led mind. God Bless!

[@mikaelam]

There is so much good christian rock and pop music. So why listen to the 'secular' stuff.

[@kennygame]

Thanks for sharing your testimony in regards to secular music. Lately I've been struggling with "Christian" music. Particularly the music that comes out of false churches that is so popular. Also I struggle with the fact that these Christian labels are just a sub label of secular record companies. In my opinion it's all worldliness and professional Christians have turned God's house into a den of thieves.

[@jimdrummer816]

We've left the so called Christian music and now we sing hymns. They are amazing and really build our faith. How have we as a society forgotten about hymns?

[@k.d.5603]

Agree! The New Age/Spiritual is taking over our churches! Bethel, Hillsong, Elevation, all of it! Those megachurches with the bands- half the time the sermon barely mentions Jesus or uses scriptures. I'm with you on the Hymns, the Psalms being sung and I listen to what I grew up with which is Michael W. Smith, Petra, Marantha!, Rich Mullins, early Amy Grant. Church of Christ music is all hymns and all a capella- no instruments in their churches. We have to be so careful these days.

[@savedbychrist504]

When I was born again in Christ 2 years ago (at age 50), and diligently seeking God in His word, I stopped listening to all secular music and have never looked back. I much rather now listen to and sing hymns of praise, like we are told to do in scripture, and it truly fills my heart with melody. Unfortunately, any music artist that has made it big is not getting their inspiration and worldly success from Jesus Christ. All you have to do is research their signs, lyrics, symbols… And you will see the enemy interwoven in. The last thing I want to do is have their lyrics and tunes in my heart. I have found awesome channels on here that sing a cappella hymns of praise and they are just wonderful to listen to.

[@potapotapotapotapotapota]

Just don't throw the baby out with the bathwater. There are good songs and bad songs that are made by all musicians - secular musicians AND Christian musicians.

[@JeffreyBue_imtxsmoke]

As always Mark.. good stuff and while I'm a bit older than you, I've struggled with the same thing.

[@stmcgarret]

I walked a similar path. Grew up before being saved with rock and was absolutely intoxicated with music from youth. Use to air guitar to Kiss, Ted Nugent, Aerosmith and many others. As my friends got older they advanced from tennis rackets to real electric guitars with Marshall Half stacks blasting out the riffs. I was surrounded by a lot of talent in my home town and often I would be in garages listening to friends play Eruption or Crazy Train or you name it of famous rock songs. I desperately wanted to sing as I have a very good memory but God (thankfully!) did not give me a voice. If he did I fear what would have become of me as I loved to imitate Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin, Rob Halford from Judas Priest or many other of the top front me. Since I could not sing, I took up the drums and loved it. Played for a while and would listen to songs for hours trying to figure them out. Loved jamming with my friends doing 1-4-5's or playing Guns and Roses like Sweet Child of Mine, or other popular songs. When I got saved I did the same thing Mark did by trying to winnow the "good" music from the "bad." Rush was definitely on the good side as Neil Peart was an amazing drummer, Journey was good, the Eagles good, etc, with Kiss and AC/DC and Led Zep and other "harder" bands on the bad side. But I found the same thing you did and that I was compromising. Singing songs like Small Town Girl or Hotel California from my "good" bands I was blaspheming God and promoting the very things God condemns and the very things the Word calls us to separate ourselves from. It was VERY hard to leave my beloved rock behind and I've had yearnings even as of late to play the drums again just to break the monotony after being abandoned, but I know it would take me headlong back into compromise and a world of sex, drugs and rock n roll that Jesus set me free from. To others struggling out there you can do it!!! It will be hard and you will be enticed by the sirens to not abandon them and hearken to them, but I assure you it is worth the sacrifice. Christ is worth it and your soul and inner man/woman will rejoice.

[@k.d.5603]

Have you ever heard of Petra? I went to their concert with my youth group in the very early 90s. They're "Christian Rock." Not sure how you feel about it, obviously pray and seek guidance before you listen to anything!

[@stmcgarret]

​@@k.d.5603 Hi K.D. Thanks for asking. I have heard of Petra. I've heard their music but it never greatly influenced me. Back in my day Stryper was "big" and a pick of those like me coming out of rock. I listened to them for a while but they seemed (as far as I remember) to be cheap tradeoffs from the "real deal." By the real deal I mean authentic rockers who did not make a pretense to be "good" and simply played music; and quite well. I don't remember my thought process back then, but it never felt like I left rock when I listened to Stryper (and others of that sort). It was like leaving porn and looking at models in tight clothing. What I mean, is it pressed all my fleshly buttons and was a very strong enticement for me to go back to the real deal; that is straight rock / heavy metal and leave behind the Christian pretense. If you study these bands you will find they are always big followers and promoters of rock (For example: www.blabbermouth.net/news/strypers-michael-sweet-no-musician-influenced-me-as-much-as-eddie-van-halen. Anyone who has played an instrument knows this is necessary because no man is an island and you have to learn beats, rhythms, choruses, etc. from other bands and then form your own style (or simply imitate). So long story to say that I don't see how listening to these bands is any different from rock and I don't think it fits the pattern in any way, shape or form of what the Scriptures call psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. I won't touch on the lyrical content of these bands which is often shallow, veiled and often filled with false doctrine. Both of these are too lengthy to discuss here, but I think so called Christian rock is an attempt to blend oil and water that can never be done. I believe this is one case where the axe has to be taken to the root of the tree (Lk 3:9). Peace in Christ and blessings to you -

[@Dave-um7mw]

Playing Rock music backwards: Evil messages from the enemy! Playing County music backwards: You get your house back You get your dog back You get your best friend Jack back You get your truck back You get your hair back You get your first and second wives back

[@Holly_Joy]

Excellent video Mark. I know many Christians who can't give up violent video games with realistic characters, or movies full of sex and gratituous violence. (Or video games with both sex\violence such as Grand Theft Auto - where the player can apparently drive up in a car and pick up a prostitute, then do a drive by shooting, for example.) The struggle is reality for so many Christians, who feel that these influences are just entertainment.

[@called2fly]

Ezekiel 28:13 mentions: The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you: Before his fall, Satan had a significant role in the music of heaven, surrounding God’s throne. Isaiah 14:11 also makes mention of the stringed instruments associated with Satan before his fall. i. Some take this to say that Satan was the “worship leader” in heaven because there are songs of worship mentioned in the Bible (Job 38:7; Revelation 5:9, 14:3, and 15:3). How fitting for him to deceive the masses through music. Also look into the music industries use of the word “master”. Interesting. Truth Stream Media put out an excellent video on music a few years ago. Thank you Mark!! Looking forward to next video. 🙏🏻 Found link to the above mentioned video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaHFeYhqftKXl7M

[@mariussielcken]

Aleister Crowley being on the top-left of the Sgt. Pepper cover is symbolic of him being the Master of the Left Hand Path.

[@alphamegaradio]

Correct. Check out Hotel California with Anton Levay, etc. Dio (which always gave me the creeps, but I loved the "music" part)... always had satanic, in-your-face imagery and lyrics. Straight up rebellion toward God, dissing Christians and religious people, and glorifying the devil's ways.

[@glycineman8657]

Backmasking is bullshit, backward music sounds gibberish until you read the lyrics and it's match up. Try first listen to some song and backward it, its nothing but gibberish

[@lee_drifting]

u do know backmasking was founded by aleister crowley, right? that lets u know something..

[@ThoughtGum]

I came to a similar fork in the road as well. I used to listen to a lot of heavy metal and I found myself listening to songs that blaspheme God and glorified evil. I decided to take a stand, I would not listen to anything that would have me sear my conscience. Thankfully there's a lot of good heavy metal out there that is very positive and has good messaging so I stuck with that and I also started listening to other musical genres too. Music is powerful and we need to control what we allow ourselves to listen to

[@radmilazoranpopazivanov4435]

I think all rock is from devil as you can’t listen to rock and read the Bible can you? I can’t

[@clownworldcitizen3505]

@@radmilazoranpopazivanov4435 It would be tough to tell using reading as a litmus test because I find that reading anything while music is on is hard because my attention will drift. It can be rock or classical, both do the same to me.

[@KynaldMcMuffin]

A youtube video about Satanism in the music industry was what brought me to the realization that God must actually be real, and if i'm loving this stuff that hates God, He's probably not happy with me. Music and dancing was my life, but I had to give up my life to gain The Life. Great testimony, thanks for sharing! Looking forward to seeing how the series develops. I think you have a gift for presenting these truths in as non-abrasive a way as possible, something I need to work on.

[@estimatingonediscoveringthree]

Fact that the vast majority of musical artists have to use the name of the Messiah and the theme in narrative of God’s word proves that there is an underlying spiritual battle and they have to steak their position in order to make it in the wicked music industry

[@VineyardChicksJoyfulNoise]

Interesting video! Was looking for ways to help my Christian band get listened to but still found your thoughts fascinating. Thank you.

[@Colthrone]

I could give a testimony very similar. God bless.

[@vaksehund2]

All secular music, even so called Christian music is created to get us as far away from Jesus as possible - all of it has hidden messages. I stopped listening to it many years ago now; bc all of the songs and melodies interrupted my sleep and my peace back then. I keep to the old hymns for worship and praising God.

[@pauleywogg59]

I am an older born again Christian. I agree 100% with what is said here. Shortly after I was saved I felt God wanted me to throw out all of my LP's (shows you how old I am) and I did. I think a lot of people, at least in past decades, have made music an idol in their lives. I didn't listen to any secular music for years after I threw out my albums. But then there is the issue of where Christian music has gone over the last few decades. That is not good either. Maybe worse because it is supposed to be written and sung by Christians. I remember reading an article in the Toronto Star newspaper back in the 1990's when I lived in Ontario. It was an article in the Religion section about the popularity at that time of Christian music. It mentioned that some of the top Christian songs were not written by Christians. Those songs they mentioned were written by an unsaved Jewish woman in New York city and that was her job to write music for various genre's of artists. I can't remember all the details of the article but that one detail hit me and always stuck with me. A lot of Christian music now is not written by those inspired and filled with the Holy Spirit and led of God. It is written by people inspired by the God of money and fame. I personally try to stick with the older hymns or some more recent Christian music that I feel is biblically sound and gives glory to God instead of Christian music that focuses on "I" or "Me or My" which quite a bit of newer Christian music emphasizes. Me rather than God. I do listen to secular music too now. But I am very selective. Mostly it is music from the 1950's -70's but I stick with specific artists and only music that is good for my mind and heart. Sometimes just instrumentals. Probably every secular artist in the past 70 years has sung at least one song that I would definitely avoid. There is a "spirit" behind most music unfortunately. Not the Holy Spirit, but a "familiar spirit" as the bible describes. There has been a dark side to music even going back in some ways into the 1930's and 1940's. (Isaiah 8:19-20) "¶ And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? {20} To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Lets not forget too that some feel Lucifer was a sort of worship leader at one time. He knows music very, very well and how to use it. Notice in Ezekiel God speaking to Lucifer (through Tyrus) talks of "thy tabrets and thy pipes" that were built into him. The 1828 Websters dictionary describes tabrets or tabor's as some type of small drum. Or perhaps another type of percussion instrument. (Ezekiel 28:13-15) "Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created. {14} Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. {15} Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." So Satan knows what effects music can have on us whether that be a good effect or a bad effect. Great video brother. I am very thankful of your speaking the truth and standing up for the word of God.

[@theresa42213]

AWESOME AWESOME channel Mark! l think that somethings happening with it though because it seems you disappeared for a bit, and l remembered you and re found your channel. GLAD l did! Your videos are SO well done! Thank You and Happy Easter! :D Vancouver Chinada.

[@jarednealeigh1553]

As a Christian I went down a similar path in my adolescent years through my mid 20s. Your point about the “gradual” seering of your heart rang true. I’ve very recently decided to cut the cord (even the electronic “Trance” music I listen to that has zero lyrics. The music may not contain obvious profanities or sexual imagery like rap or rock but it’s been my idol for far too long and led me down a dark path of unholy relationships and activities I couldn’t have pictured myself doing earlier in life) It was only with prayer I was able to stop desiring it. Thank you for your words of encouragement.

[@pilgrimbobbyc31]

I had a similar journey. For me it was more that I could tell that music had a profound impact on my soul. With that being the case, I decided to listen almost exclusively to Christian music.

[@jgordon194]

I remember all the weird trippy stuff I was told about secular music when i became a Christian in my late teens. I was a musician / song-writer and it messed me up so much for a long long time. "Don't play minor chords!" "All music excpet Amy Grant and Keith Green is evil!" There was so much rubbish spread in the bhurch back then. thankfully that has changed!

[@michaelnewsomegreen5500]

I am a good deal older than you & every word you spoke is part of my story. 63 years old & I made the same call all those years ago. Was I caught up in youthful zeal for the Lord? The answer is possibly yes, but I have no regrets. I play music, I write music I teach music, but I am able to censor what I hear. Highway to hell got censored but Road to Hell passed the muster. Being able to self censor is what life is all about, making proper choices. I can listen to Lola by the Kinks & laugh, & yet, there is material by the Rolling Stones that will never be played on my cd player. Life is all about discernment & making the right choices. I am so glad I stumbled upon your vid & I am glad to support you on your journey. You have made me think which cannot be a bad thing. Blessings upon you.

[@kpec3]

If I was going to criticize an album, it might be Stone Roses' Second Coming. It is filled with evil and blasphemy. The hit song, Love Spreads, refers to Jesus as a she. Driving South is about selling your soul by calling a number with 666 in it. How Do You Sleep talks about a festival like Herod to John's severed head. Breaking Into Heaven is about forcing into heaven, which is inside the mind or spirit as opposed to the kingdom that God created to save the righteous.

[@jonatanbarrang4353]

The biggest reason why people choose to listen secular music over Godly music, it is because it's sound more catchy...lyric is no.2. the question why is Godly christian can't produce music that more catchy than worldy music? Is Holy spirit annointing sucks and less creative compared to demons? c'mon...we need to do better!

[@Salt_and_Light_UK]

Thank you Mark for this video (and thank you in general for all your continued effort!). A few years ago I gave up secular music but I’ve found it creeping back in recently by accident (automatically connecting to Bluetooth and paying my old itunes), and I felt the nostalgia and fleshly pull towards it, but listening to this I’m horrified by the lyrics I consumed, they’re insidiously wrapped so in catchy tunes. This video has been a good prompt for me to cut out this worldly music and honour God with my playlist. Life is fleeting so I want to honour Him with my music choice. Thanks again!

[@sarahfeuerborn]

I had almost exactly the same experience. Mine went from starting with supposed innocent Bush then ending up all the way to listening to satanic black metal.

[@BrotherTris]

One of the things I’ve started to do as a busker is to ‘rewrite’ the lyrics to popular songs/secular classics, especially songs that caught my soul in the snare of the devil before I knew the Lord. It’s an ongoing process but I have at least 20 done now! I’m always keen to share my lyrics for others to try them out, I’m not precious about them and would rather lots of people would evangelise with them themselves 😊👍

[@enigmaticpro]

That’s great I do that too but I don’t have as many as you. But at my church a couple of us sing them when we do little events on Saturdays at parks etc. People hear the music and come over and then we evangelize to them with the “new” lyrics of the songs. I’d be curious as to what songs you’ve changed?🤔

[@BrotherTris]

@@enigmaticpro hi, thanks for the comment! Awesome that you also do them too, I find they work well for my style and musical background before Christ, which was funky rocky stuff… there’s a few on my channel already for you to take if you want, as I usually put the chords and my lyrics in the pinned comment, but I’ve done songs like I can see clearly, hotel California, imagine, man who sold the world, hallelujah, absolution and some others I can’t think of right now. I have so many that I didn’t record there yet, from stairway to heaven, to highway to hell, to I will survive, to know your enemy! I recently did Barbara Dicksons drift away (which I really love to play), also i found love in a hopeless place and I’ve even improved bare necessities! Lol 😊👍

[@masbucket3083]

great video made me think about some of the music i listen to and got rid of some albums that have very blasphemous lyrics

[@cathleenolney8852]

I remember when the "backward masking" theme was going through the church. Some songs/ bands gave me the chills when I heard them. It had nothing to do with the backward masking.

[@cvsWebDesigns]

"Yes we can" from Obama's campaign ... backwards is freaky

[@Dave-um7mw]

Based on your music choices, it sounds missed out on Flyleaf.

[@Pugilist928]

No navigation needed simply avoid it altogether.

[@VicCrisson]

Commenting for algorithm

[@SeriousCakes]

When I was growing up we weren't allowed to listen to any secular music, when we were teens we would do it behind my parents back to rebel though. And because it was rebellion I never once thought about what the lyrics meant. Imagine my shock as an adult listening to some of Def Leppard's songs and finally understanding what they were singing about! I still listen to secular music but I read the lyrics now, I want to know what the song is about.

[@mrupholsteryman]

Sometimes we think we can test the spirits...and be in the world and not of it....other times we don't want to offend those with the weaker faith...and cause them to stumble...sometimes we are seen as the hypocrite.....as well as knowing our need for a Savior...that wants us to change AFTER coming to Him as our Savior and Lord.... It all comes down to identity and we are going to be like that which we worship....either for me or against Me says God. He is gracious and merciful and slow to anger...yet also is Holy Just and Righteous having ALL the evidence and sees our inner politician that says one thing then does another... Lord Help us all! To become worthy of the place you are placing us (providing we are born again) if we aren't born again....help us to see the TRUTH (Jesus) despite all the lies the world are under a different veil of "covering"....as in our blood vs Jesus blood to be paid for our sins....😇💪🙏

[@megagamernick9883]

This is why I think you should listen to the lyrics and message. Can’t really listen to a lot. But bands like sabaton because the songs are about historical events. But I can’t listen to to stuff like The Rolling Stones or metallica. I can listen to sweet home Alabama or living in America because it’s celebrating living and enjoying where your from. But paint it black or enter sandman are just creepy the more you think about it.

[@gregcolbeck]

im 8 minutes into this video and love it so far. im subscribing and will be watching all 4 parts.

[@bill_y4762]

Lol demons insert messages without backmasking🤣🤣. What would even be the point? Or why do people think people receive false doctrines subliminally. They receive false doctrines quite well with their conscious minds.

[@daughterofkingjesus3068]

Whoooooa! You are the only person I know whose parents showed them Hells Bells! This played a huge part in my life in understanding the power of music! Amen, brother! Thanks for these videos!

[@uniqueeasywaystosharethego9517]

Wanna know what's crazy? I used to listen to a bunch of secular music maybe until as late as 2003 or 2004 but the worst stuff I listened to was in 2000 and 2001ish. Recently I went back to some of those songs I haven't heard since then because I was just curious, and it's crazy how I can remember almost all the words to all the songs.

[@Matt24_]

Thanks Mark. Can relate to this message. Looking forward to next video. 👍🏻✨

[@jeremytucker3106]

Maverick City Music is the only music I need now

[@bluezy710]

Absolutely necessary message! Thank you

[@estimatingonediscoveringthree]

Very important in our culture, it’s obvious

[@hollygardner5076]

I so identify with this. Thank you.

[@michele2017promastertravel]

Great video

[@123darkfang]

Wow! Extremely well put!

[@123darkfang]

@Kevin Belgrove the Roman Catholics have many idols like Mary who I don't worship as a Christian. Your statement is wrong. His name wasn't Jesus in the old testament times tho. That much is true. If you've been to a true church that buys yahushua then you would know it's vastly different then a Catholic church. Not even comparable.

[@123darkfang]

@Kevin Belgrove that's Hebrew spelling. What about his disciples names? I knew a lot of stuff had to be translated for the gentiles to be able to read it. And I can't say the Messiah without using the Hebrew word for it? And if I can how come not Christ Jesus?

[@123darkfang]

@Kevin Belgrove the names you mentioned are in Hebrew (Jesus, holy spirit)..... Are we suppose to call every name by it's Hebrew name? Or just Jesus? What about the disciples?

[@stuartcarmichael1305]

Great video!

[@mdrglxix3699]

I'm intrigued

[@herbertplumer5212]

Can you share your favourite Christian music, please?

[@MJ-ce6tv]

Try CityAlight

[@BrotherTris]

Josh Garrels 👍

[@herbertplumer5212]

@@MJ-ce6tv Thank you! :)

[@herbertplumer5212]

@@BrotherTris I wasn't expecting music like this. Thank you :)

[@Do_not_at_me_bro]

Jesus wannabeez. Each of their songs is a chapter from the bible and all their lyrics are taken directly from Ephesians. Wolves at the gate is my other favourite. Both go hard but glorify God

[@FlyingAxblade_D20]

granted: I'm twice as old as you, went to xian school: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKjMZYRjh6yLbtE one of two: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ammyXox7fKaNrbs 3rd song in of Mark Dangers on Satyricon. Personally I usually listen to "The Call", "Stryper", & Petra and Degarmo & key....but when I want to relate to the people I work with...I choose...Mark Dangers, DJ Ztrip, & Pantera. Give me alternatives.

[@FlyingAxblade_D20]

I'm a non-aggression libertarian with regular bloody knuckles. Welcome to North Carolina!

[@FlyingAxblade_D20]

& I'm old

[@FlyingAxblade_D20]

in Germany : fighting for honor is still legal

[@FlyingAxblade_D20]

& I have a Rottweiler, 400 years older than Yesus. Please do a video on how "J" went from a number to a letter just in time for the Jesuits. 6 = vj 8 = viij ...yesu joy of man's desire...

[@FlyingAxblade_D20]

please