What Are The Characteristics Of Spiritual Music?

Just because a song is called "Christian Music," does not mean that it is Christian Music. Some of what is called "Christian Music" is actually not glorifying Christ at all. Even if the words may be saying: "All glory to Jesus," the style is often saying: "Look at me; am I ever a cool person!" The message is carried more in the melody, harmony, and rhythm than in the words. Messages that are carried in the very spirit of the music have the power to transform listeners.

Listed below are some of the things and Spiritual Music will do. Indeed, all these attributes may be applied as a test of any ministry.

Spiritual music glorifies Jesus Christ.

Spiritual music builds up: increases faith, hope, love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, and self-control.

Spiritual music encourages godliness and holiness.

Spiritual music is pure.

Spiritual music is gentle.

Spiritual music has joy, even when speaking of sadness, disappointment, and frustration.

Spiritual music brings peace. Even when the song has a quick rhythm, there is a peace of the Holy Spirit in the very musical elements. The lyrics merely confirm this peace.

Spiritual music promotes unity.

Spiritual music is orderly.

Spiritual music promotes submission to authority.

The lyrics of spiritual music flow as prophecy. They have depth of meaning and purpose. The lyrics are consistent with Biblical teaching.

Spiritual music does not glorify a person, an organization, or any other thing.

Spiritual music does not encourage the fleshly or worldly.

Spiritual music does not promote the singer or musician. It is not concerned with popularity or personal glory. It does not try to appeal to the masses.

Spiritual music cannot fit in with the secular world. Those who desire to reject Christ will reject His music.

Spiritual music is not sensual.

Spiritual music does not promote anger.

Spiritual music does not convey hopelessness.

Spiritual music does not envy. Many socialistic songs of today promote envy, but spiritual music does not.

Spiritual music does not promote the lack of self-control, relativism, disregard for authority, or impurity. It does not carry a drunken feeling or the spirit of a wild party as some secular music does.

Spiritual music does not speak of our relationship with Christ as if it were puppy-love.

Spiritual music does not cause you to hate the Spirit-given, time-test hymns.

Spiritual music does not have trite or mindless lyrics.

Spiritual music does not follow a mindless, hypnotic pattern. It is not of the type that is designed to produce a trance state.

Spiritual music does not have lyrics that subtly undermine Scriptural truth.

Fleshly, worldly music will violate one or more of the observations above. If you come into contact with worldly music, get away from it. Worldly music also has power to transform you. God raises a standard against it.

1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

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