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RELIGIOUS ROCK... The music of devils in the CHURCH!!!
(Due to the importance of this message...copy and
distribute wherever the Lord leads.)
In the world of biology, we are given the example of a frog
that when placed into boiling water, will immediately jump out.
However, if that same frog is put into a bowl of cool water
which is slowly heated by a Bunsen burner, the frog will
eventually boil to death.
Religious rock and roll is like the frog and the water.
The term "rock and roll" means fornication. It is a street name
for sexual immorality. It has wrecked the lives of many
teenagers through suicide, drug abuse, immorality, perversion,
satanism, etc. Sadly, we live in a day where many Christians and
church leaders are allowing this demonic music into their churches,
claiming that the music is holy and sanctified because the lyrics
are changed to include some 'religious' words. Where is the
discernment in the church? Are Christians losing their ability to
discern the difference between good and evil? The fact that this
demonic music even made it into the church is proof of the moral
and spiritual decline affecting the church today. We are being
invaded by hard rock, acid rock, punk rock, new wave, and heavy
metal music under the guise of religious rock and roll.
God says in His Word: "O that there were such a heart in
them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always,
that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!"
(Deut 5:29). "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because
of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of
disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye
were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as
children of light" (Eph 5:6-8). "But exhort one another daily,
while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the
deceitfulness of sin" (Heb 3:13).
Satan was created a beautiful musical creature: "...every
precious stone was thy covering,...the workmanship of thy tabrets
and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast
created" (Ezek 28:13). Since music was built into his very nature
are we foolish enough to assume that he will not use it to deceive
and enslave?
We are told by the religious rockers that we must look and
sound like the world in order to reach the youth of this
generation. They say, many young people will not listen to the
gospel or come to church so we must meet them on some common
ground. That common ground is rock and roll. In other words, they
are saying that preaching of the Word of God is no longer
sufficient for both young and old. If this is true, then we should
open bars in order to reach the multitudes of drinkers. We should
open porno-shops in order to reach those who engage in smut.
Shouldn't we go to their level so we can bring them to the Lord
Jesus Christ? So what if we do evil if the end result is good?
What's a little compromise with God's standards of holiness and
separation if it results in souls being saved?... This type of
reasoning is one of the doctrines of demons that Christians are
accepting. Does it not make sense that the same Bible that has
worked sucessfully to this time, will continue to work for both the
young and the old? How many Christians love God's people enough to
say, "no more! Throw this satanic filth out of the church and back
into hell where it belongs"? Do you realize that just 10 years ago
this evil music would not have even remotely been considered as a
suitable method to sing and praise God. That type of music would
have been immediately thrown out of the churches. What we are
witnessing today is the spiritual and moral degeneration that is
affecting Christians to the degree that many no longer have any
discernment between good and evil.
HISTORY OF ROCK AND ROLL
This is a brief section on the history of rock and roll. If
you are a Christian and you don't realize that secular rock is evil
and demonic then you better get your spiritual eyes examined
because you have big problems. One distressing problem about the
religious rock scene is that many involved also listen to secular
rock and roll. At some of the concerts put on by the religious
rockers they sometime "warm" up their audiences by playing secular
rock and roll songs.
As you read the history of rock and roll, observe how Satan
brought in his rock music in the 1950's and slowly degenerated it
to it's present level of baseness. Watch how Satan slowly turned
up his bunsen burner until his music developed to it's present low.
The following information was taken from a chart from Freedom
Village U.S.A. called History of rock and roll, Major influence
chart.
Early Rock: Mid 50's - Early 60's
Message: Seemingly harmless music and lyrics promoted "good
times". Also promoted dancing the new dance fads. "Teen Idols" were
worshiped by teenage girls and being "cool" was in for boys. The
stage was being set for rebellion by the "greaser" image.
Music: Blend of "Big Band" with its powerful physical dance
influence and "rhythm and blues", based on African rhythm patterns.
Tempos and rhythm patterns were smooth and "catchy". Melodies
created a very whimsical "Happy Days" atmosphere.
Main Performers: Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Bill Haley and The
Comets, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Little Richard, Platters,
Four Seasons, Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, and James Brown.
British Invasion, Motown Music, Folk Music: Early 60's - Late 60's
Message: Introduction to stronger rebellion theme which was to be
the thread through all future rock music. It promoted free sex,
drugs, and rebellion, presenting them as harmless fun. Also
introduced false religions (TM). Folk groups promoted anti-
establishment attitudes and appearances.
Music: British influence hardened the American music by taking out
the swing beat and putting in a more frenzied pace tempo. Motown
added to the driving, repetitious rhythms with its "soul music".
Main Performers: Beatles, Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, The
Temptations, Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary, Supremes, Simon and
Garfunkle, Shirelles, Four Tops, and the Mama's and Papa's.
Acid or Hard Rock: Late 60's - Early 70's
Message: Huge rock concerts promoted free sex, open drug and
alcohol abuse, and a total do-your-own-thing attitude. Lyrics
preached rebellion, no morals, and no responsibilities. Drugs
became synonymous with rock music. Stage violence begins. Sharper
focus on false religions. Music: Developed more repetition and a
hypnotic effect. More rhythm, more volume, and more violence
became the dominant force of songs. Groups actually destroyed
equipment on stage. Early beginning of "cross-dressing" and use of
make-up by men.
Main Performers: Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Doors, The
Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zepplin, Crosby, Stills & Nash,
Joan Baez, Grateful Dead, and Chicago.
Heavy Metal: Early 70's - Late 70's
Message: Sex, no morality, and drug abuse. Lyrics openly promote
rebellion, violence, and homosexuality. Satanic messages are hidden
or camouflaged by backwards masking. Also, open sex begins to
occur on the dance floors of discos.
Music: Beat and volume increase, driving rhythms captivate
listeners. Beat or pulse of music hypnotizes listeners as they are
fed evil lyrics. Performers openly admit sexual perversion and act
it out on stage, contributing to the moral decay and debasing of
society.
Main Performers: Kiss, Rod Stewart, Bee Gees, The Who, Led
Zepplin, Elton John, Alice Cooper, Village People, Stevie Wonder,
Black Sabbath, Rolling Stones, Eagles, Jethro Tull, and Deep
Purple.
Theatrical Satan Rock: Late 70's - Present
Message: Violence supreme. Satan is no longer hiding his motives.
Lyrics openly denounce Christianity presenting the devil as the
answer. Violence, sex, rebellion, and drugs are not only promoted,
but are acted out on stage. Lyrics even promote suicide. MTV
brings Satan's messages into homes through rock videos.
Music: Violent, loud, abrasive. It has become a combination of
Disco, Hard Rock, and 50's music. Synthesized music creates a
"robot-like" sound, simulating the controlling power of rock music.
Rock music has evolved into the single most powerful tool by which
Satan communicates his evil messages to our youth.
Main Performers: Kiss, Eagles, Iron Maiden, Cindi Lauper, Black
Sabbath, Judas Priest, Van Halen, AC/DC, The Grateful Dead, Michael
Jackson, W.A.S.P., Prince, Boy George, and Alice Cooper.
To the Christian, God says in His Word: "And have no
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather
reprove them" (Eph. 5:11). The Lord Jesus said in Matt 7:18,20 "A
good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree
bring forth good fruit....Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know
them." The question this verse brings to mind is: What kind of
fruit does rock and roll produce? There is definite fruit to rock
and roll and all of it is evil. This demonic music has been the
major tool and vehicle through which Satan popularized suicide,
drug abuse, immorality, perversions (bestiality etc.), blasphemy
against God and sacred things, homosexuality, occultism, and
satanism. Now God has said to Christians not to have any
fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness. Rock and roll is
an unfruitful work of darkness and Christians have no business
trying to imitate those who are on the broad road to destruction.
Christians also have no business listening to secular rock as it is
all an abomination to God.
God also says in His Word: "Love not the world, neither the
things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love
of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the
lust of the flesh, and lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is
not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:15-16). "As
obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the
former lusts in your ignorance. But as he which hath called you is
holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is
written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1 Pet 1:14-16). "Having
therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves
from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in
the fear of God" (2 Cor 7:1). Finally, how can Christians be holy
as we are commanded when an earring is hung in the ear, satanic
sexual clothes are worn, and a rebellious nightclub atmosphere is
created by those who claim to worship God?
RELIGIOUS ROCK: A BRIEF HISTORY
"Ye have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein
have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is
good in the sight of the Lord, and he delighteth in them; or,
Where is the God of judgment" (Malachi 2:17). "And be not
conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,
and perfect, will of God" (Rom 12:2). "And because iniquity shall
abound, the love of many shall wax cold" (Matt 24:12).
The same spirit of rock and roll which includes: the spirit
of rebellion, the spirit of immorality and perversion, and the
spirit of death is now being brought into the churches under the
guise of religious rock and roll.
Remembering the example of the frog, the water, and the
bunsen burner: the devil first turned on his bunsen burner when he
introduced "Christian" contemporary music into the church. Within
this scope of music there were many areas of "grey" as the church
lightly began to assimiliate the style and sound of the devil's
rock and roll music. The bunsen burner continued to burn and the
water slowly heated up. Next, Satan slowly introduced hard rock
and roll into the churches. Once this religious rock and roll
gained acceptance the devil turned up the flame on his bunsen
burner. He then brought in religious heavy metal, religious acid
rock, religious new wave, and religious punk rock. Again since
Satan did it slowly, he was able to gain acceptance for his demonic
music. Today the water is boiling and many in the church have
accepted his deception. Pastors and church leaders, who ought to
know better, bring this filth into their churches believing the
deception that God can use this evil for His glory.
LOSS OF DISCERNMENT
One definite cause for the lack of discernment is the
television set. The technology of television itself is not evil.
However, TV programs are energized by either God or Satan. Most of
the programs on television present morals, lifestyles, and
attitudes that are contrary and opposed to the Word of God.
Television is now glorifying evil, murder, violence, occultism,
immorality, and perversion while at the same time Christianity and
godly standards are mocked and belittled. Today millions of
unbelievers sit in front of their TV sets laughing and mocking at
what once was considered sacred. The tragedy of all this is that
Christians are blinded and hardened as they spend hours sitting at
home parked in front of their TV's getting ministered to by the
devil. While Christians sit and watch shows that deep down they
know God would not approve of, they slowly go further from God and
closer to the world.
The children are not spared either as most of the Saturday
morning cartoons have evil, occultic story lines. Along with TV,
other factors contributing to the loss of discernment are: little
or no daily prayer life and irregular, inconsistent Bible reading.
God warns in His Word: "Behold, ye trust in lying words, that
cannot profit. Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and
swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other
gods whom ye know not; And come and stand before me in this house,
which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all
these abominations?" (Jer 7:8-10).
Christians have not been delivered from sin and hell in order
to partake of abominations. God wants His people to live holy,
separated lives in this evil world. The cry through the land is
for revival, but how can it come when Christians are in love with
their TV's and rock music? All this is at the expense of Bible
reading, prayer, holiness, and separation from evil.
FRUIT OF RELIGIOUS ROCK
This is a partial list of the evil fruit of religious rock and roll
music. It is by no means exhaustive.
- CONFORMITY: There is a definite pressure to conform to this world
rather than to separate oneself from its godless influence.
Religious rock is a cheap imitation of secular rock and roll.
These religious rockers, like the secular, play their music at the
same ear-splitting level and give off the same nightclub bar-room
atmosphere with all the coloured lights, smoke pots, and special
effects. Little do these religious rockers realize, but as they
identify and imitate the secular rock scene they are indirectly
giving approval to that type of morality and lifestyle. As a
result they are a path of destruction for others. Note: The reason
rock and roll is played so loud is because at high decibel levels a
person's conscience and inihibitions are numbed. That individual
can be more easily programmed to accept Satan's standards instead
of God's.
What does God have to say about all this compromise and
fellowship with evil? In 2 Cor. 6:14-17 God says: "Be ye not
unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light
with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what
part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement
hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the
living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in
them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you."
After reading this it can be seen that coming out and being
separate from evil is not the cheap imitation and monkey-see-
monkey-do that the religious rock scene portrays. Again, where is
the discernment between good and evil within the church?
-SECULAR ROCK AND ROLL: One definite fruit of religious rock is
that it leads it's followers back to involvement with secular rock.
Many Christian young people listen to secular rock radio stations
and own secular rock albums in addition to their collection of
religious rock and roll. As already pointed out, at religious rock
concerts some of the bands play secular rock songs to "warm" up the
audience. This exposes Christian young people to all forms of
demonic filth and will certainly influence them in a negative way.
The danger is that religious rock will lead people away from God,
holiness, and a separated lifestyle just as surely as secular rock
will lead them to the devil. God says plainly in James 4:4 "Ye
adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the
world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of
the world is the enemy of God".
Why would a Christian listen to secular rock & roll?
"Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily,
therefore the hearts of the sons of men is fully set in them to
do evil" (Eccl 8:11)....or, maybe they don't really love the
Lord Jesus....or, maybe they are not really born again but merely
profess to be a Christian.
The Bible says that Satan was created a beautiful musical
creature (Ezek 28:13). Since music was built into his very nature
are we foolish enough to assume that he will not use it to deceive
and enslave?
Rock comes in a package --- it is a package deal! The listener
doesn't just get the music alone. Over time one or more of the
following evil fruits will be manifest in the life of the
listener: -Rebellion -Suicide -Homosexuality
-Violence -Immoraliy -Blasphemy
-Drugs & Alcohol -Occult -Worldliness
The music influences (in a negative, unbiblical way) a persons':
morals, values, and philosophy of life. How does the music do this?
The music mesmerizes the listener while Satan puts his ungodly
lyrics, morals, and standards into the persons' mind either directly
or by backward masking.
There are no neutral secular rock and roll groups
There is no rock group totally neutral and suitable for
Christian listening. Why? Every rock group either directly or
indirectly has songs with lyrics that according to God's standards
encourage one or more of the following: rebellion, immorality,
drug use, drinking, occultism, suicide, violence, and blasphemy.
Name one rock group that does not encourage any form of evil
according to God's standards! It cannot be done.
Does rock music produce: Godliness and purity, a hunger and
a thirst for Christ, a broken and contrite heart, conviction for
sin, or a Christ honouring atmosphere? ...No, No, No it does not.
If rock doesn't do any of these things, but rather does the
opposite, then why would any Christian listen to this music???
The following is a quote by David Wilkerson from his book:
SET THE TRUMPET TO THY MOUTH. He is talking about the problem of
Religious rock, but it also applies to Christians who partake of
secular rock. "Only the despisers of the Lord Jesus could embrace
what He hates. Only the rebellious could purchase one of their
records. Only those with a divided heart could go to one of their
concerts or view one of their video cassettes. Their video cassettes
are demonic and blasphemous. The spirit of mixture and confusion it
was born in will slowly possess you and lead you blindly to the
altars of Baal. Sneer if you choose, but you have been warned"
(page 113,114).
-BLIND DEFENSE: Some religious rockers get very angry when they
hear someone speak against their demonic music they love so dearly.
If only they would defend, love, and serve the Lord Jesus Christ as
much as their godless music. God says: "For ye were sometimes
darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of
light" (Eph 5:8). "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as
fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil"
(Eph 5:15,16).
-REBELLION: Many involved in the religious rock scene refuse to
listen to correction and rebuke from scripture. They harden their
necks and set their mind not to give up their demonic music. It
doesn't seem to concern them that this music is vomit on the table
of the Lord and is an abomination to Him.
"Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep
my words:...He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings..."
(John 14:23-24).
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the
Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you"
(2 Cor 6:17). Christians are a peculiar people and God wants them
to live godly, separated, and holy lives in this evil world.
"Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should
live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;"
(Titus 2:12).
THE PURPOSE OF MUSIC
Why do the religious rock and rollers not only desire to look
and sound like the world but also desire to be accepted by the
world? They want to play on MTV and get their songs high on the
secular and gospel charts. The Lord Jesus Christ said in
John 15:19,20 "If ye were of the world, the world would love his
own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out
of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word
that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. It
they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you;...". We
also read in 2 Tim 3:12 "Yea, and all that will live godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution". The previous verses state
that Christians will not be loved and accepted by the world because
the world in general rejects the Lord Jesus Christ. "And this is
the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved
darkness rather that light, because their deeds were evil"
(John 3:19).
In light of the Word of God does it not follow to reason that
true godly music that worships and exalts the Lord Jesus Christ
will be rejected by the world? Music that calls people to
repentance, holiness, separation, and total commitment to the Lord
Jesus Christ will not be popular in the eyes of a Christ-rejecting
world.
Now what is the purpose of music? Music has two purposes: 1)
to worship and glorify God; 2) To edify and build up Christians.
The Word of God says: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the
Lord" (Eph 5:19). "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in
all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the
Lord" (Col 3:16).
Music is not necessary to win the lost but it is a form of
worship and praise to God. In fact, sacred Gospel music is not for
the world and it has never been meant for the world. It is for the
child of God to worship and praise God. God has not ordained music
to win the lost; he has ordained preaching. "For after that in the
wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by
the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe"
(1 Cor 1:21). The purpose of sacred gospel music is not to draw
the unsaved to the Lord Jesus Christ. Sacred music may at times
draw the unsaved, but that is not its purpose. Its purpose is to
worship and praise God and not to be used as a tool to win the
unsaved. The unsaved are drawn to God by the preaching of the
Word.
Since music is a form of worship it is corrupted when mixed
with carnality. The worship of God must be carried out with
holiness and purity. Linking worship to the demonic, sexual,
rebellious style of rock and roll is nothing less than blasphemy.
God's demands of righteousness and holiness have never been
diminished. Just as it was an abomination to offer to the Lord a
blemished lamb for sacrifice, so today it is an abomination to
offer to God carnal, worldly, sexual, demonic music as a praise
offering.
A PROFANE DENIAL
"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being
abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate"
(Titus 1:16).
The religious rockers make many professions about the Lord
Jesus Christ but as soon as the music starts, a transformation
occurs as they are taken over by the spirit of Elvis Presley. The
Lord Jesus warned in Matt 7:21-23 "Not every one that saith unto
me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that
doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to
me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and
in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many
wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew
you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity". It can be seen by
this verse that there is more to being a Christian than just
speaking the name of Jesus. The Lord Jesus said to those who
worked iniquity to depart because He didn't know them.
In the religious rock scene we have many who freely profess
the name of Jesus but in works they deny Him. They go on stage and
speak about the Lord Jesus Christ but they play music associated
with rebellion, sexual immorality, perversion, and nihilism. They
wear demonic sexual clothing such as: sado-masochistic studded
jackets and pants, effeminate men with earrings, long hair, makeup,
and tight sexual clothing. All this adds up to a denial of their
words by their actions.
When people are communicating there is a verbal part and a
non-verbal part. In order for the message to be clearly understood
both the verbal and the non-verbal must be in agreement. If there
is a contradiction between the verbal and the non-verbal, people
will believe the non-verbal before the verbal. These religious
rockers verbally make their profession; "They profess that they
know God;". Non-verbally the religious rockers give off a different
message of rebellion, compromise, and sexuality; "but in works they
deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good
work reprobate" (Titus 1:16). When they claim to be preaching the
Lord Jesus Christ, they really are not. What they are actually
doing is taking the name of the Lord in vain. They profane the
name of the Lord when they link it up with something that is not
consistant with His nature.
JUDGMENT IS COMING ON RELIGIOUS ROCK AND ROLL
This is a warning to anyone involved with Satan's religious
rock and roll.
- You are playing demonic music that is an abomination to God.
- You are harming yourself as well as God's blood-bought children.
The Lord Jesus warns: "But whoso shall offend one of these little
ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone
were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth
of the sea" (Matt 18:6).
- If you truly love the Lord Jesus you will forsake this evil
music.
- If you do not, God's judgment will surely come into your life.
Judgment is coming for the rebellious
God has always judged sin and rebellion in the past, and He is
going to do it again. Do you want God's judgment in your life?
"But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their
detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their
way upon their own heads, saith the Lord God" (Ezek 11:21). "But
when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and
committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations
that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness
that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he
hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them
shall he die" (Ezek 18:24). The Bible warns: "Ye adulterers and
adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is
enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world
is the enemy of God" (James 4:4). It's your choice; obey or rebel.
"O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken
them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they
have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces
harder than a rock; they have refused to return" (Jer 5:3).
"Now will I shortly pour out my fury upon thee, and accomplish mine
anger upon thee: and I will judge thee according to thy ways, and
will recompense thee for all thine abominations. And mine eye
shall not spare, neither will I have pity: I will recompense thee
according to thy ways and thine abominations that are in the midst
of thee; and ye shall know that I am the Lord that smiteth" (Ezek
7:8,9).
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put
darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for
sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20).
"For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that
sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth
up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his
iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him
concerning me; I the Lord will answer him by myself: And I will set
my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb,
and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall
know that I am the Lord" (Ezek 14:7,8).
A WARNING TO PASTORS
"...It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer;
but ye have made it a den of thieves" (Matt 21:13).
This verse has real meaning today in light of religious rock.
God's temple was not intended to become a den of thieves. This
verse says: "ye have made it", refering to the fact that it was the
religious leaders that allowed the temple to go from a house of
prayer to a den of thieves.
Today church leaders and pastors have an awesome
responsibility and they will give an account as to how they
pastored a church under their charge. If the pastor allows
foolishness and evil to come in, it will affect God's blood-bought
people in a negative way by causing worldliness, carnality, and
backsliding. On the other hand, if they keep out evil and
concentrate on building up God's people with the Word of God, the
church will grow and mature. "Take heed therefore unto yourselves,
and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you
overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with
his own blood" (Acts 20:28).
The tragedy of the religious rock scene is that this demonic
music would never have made it into the churches if the pastors and
church leaders had obeyed God and closed the door to this evil.
The following is a warning for any pastor or church leader who
takes his job lightly and is not committed to building up and
protecting God's church:
"Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy
things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane,
neither have they shewed difference between the unclean and the
clean,..." (Ezek 22:26).
"And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have
set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves...Yet they
shall be ministers in my sanctuary, having charge at the gates of
the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt
offering and the sacrifice for the people, and they shall stand
before them to minister unto them. Because they ministered unto
them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall
into iniquity; therefore have I lifted up mine hand against them,
saith the Lord God, and they shall bear their iniquity. And they
shall not come near unto me, to do the office of a priest unto me,
nor to come near to any of my holy things, in the most holy place:
but they shall bear their shame, and their abominations which they
have committed" (Ezek 44:8,11-13).
DANGEROUS REASONING...
ARGUMENT #1 Christian rock can't be wrong. Look at all the people
who go forward at the concerts. Look at how popular God has made
these bands.
ANSWER: So-called results do not mean God is behind it. The Lord
Jesus said in Matthew 7:15,21-23 "Beware of false prophets, which
come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening
wolves....Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter
into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord,
have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out
devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I
profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work
iniquity".
The Lord Jesus also said that many will be deceived by false
prophets and false Christs. "And many false prophets shall rise,
and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love
of many shall wax cold....for there shall arise false Christs, and
false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch
that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect"
Matthew 24:11,12,24.
*** (Note * An altar call at a religious rock concert can be likened
to a wolf giving altar calls to chickens!!!)
ARGUMENT #2 But Jesus went out and mingled with sinners.
ANSWER: The Lord Jesus never went into a den of iniquity nor did He
copy the ways of the ungodly. The Bible says: "For such a high
priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from
sinners, and made higher than the heavens;" Hebrews 7:26. "I have
given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are
not of the world, even as I am not of the world" John 17:14.
ARGUMENT #3 We have to use Rock Music because this is the only way
the youth of this generation can be reached.
ANSWER: The Bible answers this directly in 2 Corinthians 6:14-17
"Be ye not unequally yolked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what
communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ
with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the
temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them,
and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my
people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive
you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty". Also, "For after that in the
wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by
the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe" (1 Cor 1:21).
The Word of God does not say we are to go out and borrow the
evil ways of the ungodly and use them for "soulwinning", but rather
we are commanded to come out and separate ourselves from evil. The
Word of God states further in James 4:4 "Ye adulterers and
adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity
with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the
enemy of God".
........ WARNING ........
"Christian Rock" is destructive to the Church as it leads God's
people into sensuality and compromise. If you sincerely love The
Lord Jesus Christ and you are involved with this music, then obey
the Lord and forsake this unclean thing.
We now have: Christian Rock, Christian New Wave, Christian
Heavy Metal, Christian Punk. What are these rebels going to
advocate next? Christian drug use, Christian Witchcraft, Christian
Pornography???
"They profess that they know God; but in works they deny
Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work
reprobate" Titus 1:16.
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through
his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity
that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus,
whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye
have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye
might well bear with him....For such are false apostles, deceitful
workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And
no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed
as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to
their works" 2 Corinthians 11:3,4,13-15.
"For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old
ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our
God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord
Jesus Christ....Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the
flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities....Woe unto
them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after
the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of
Korah. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast
with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without
water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without
fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the sea,
foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved
the blackness of darkness for ever" Jude 4,8,11-13.
BY THEIR OWN WORDS
(They condemn themselves)
"Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the
words of thy mouth" (Prov. 6:2).
AMY GRANT
"I want to play hardball in this business. I want to be on the same
level professionally with performers in all areas of music. I love
to hear Billy Joel, Kenny Loggins, and the Doobie Brothers. Why not?
I aim to bridge the gap between Christian and pop." (Time Mar/85)
" Grant's also pragmatic about her career. Regarding her album covers
and publicity photos, which portray her as a sexy, attractive young
woman. The Christian pop star says,' I'm trying to look sexy to sell
a record. But what is sexy? To me it's never been taking my shirt off
or sticking my tongue out. I feel that a Christian young woman in the
eighties is very sexual'.....'When he {Prince} started humping the
stage, I got a little embarrassed', says the twenty-four-year-old
Grant, sitting in the bright sunlight near the swimming pool at her
Universal City hotel. 'I quit looking. When he thrust his crotch up
into the florescent shower, 'she continues in her Southern drawl, 'I
thought if someone wants to do this at home, fine. If I want to do
this at home, fine. I don't want to watch Prince doing it. I didn't
get off watching him create the illusion of masturbating'"
(Rolling Stone - June 1985)
STRYPER
"The hair is long and the screams are loud'n'clear. The clothes are
tight, earrings dangling from their ears. No matter how we look,
we'll always praise His name. And, if you believe, you've got to do
the same." (Stryper from Loud'n'Clear)
"If you had to guess their name, you might think of the Devil's
Disciples or the Beelzebubs. Or perhaps the Killer Bees, which is
what the four young men on stage look like in their tight leather-and
spandex costumes crisscrossed with garish black and yellow stripes.
Piles of makeup, spikey hair, and enough dangling chains to tie up
half the elephants in Africa complete the picture of the up-to-date
heavy metal rock group. Even the music, the sound of a swarm of angry
insects electronically amplified several thousand times, fits the
image." (Time Mar/85)
REZ BAND
"A new album, Between Heaven'N'Hell (their eighth), recently hit the
streets, and with it, Rez begins its campaign aimed at winning over
the secular mainstream rock audience....Rez has made a number of
other moves designed to facilitate their transition to the secular
market. They've pacted with a New York-based management/marketing
firm on a four-month trial basis. They have signed with the venerable
Diversified Management Agency (DMA) out of Detroit who will be
handling concert bookings. (Other heavy DMA clients include the
Scorpions, Quiet Riot, and Autograph.)...In order to do that, Rez is
all too aware, they're going to have to 'play by certain rules,' as
Herrin puts it. They've already stopped the practice of altar calls
in concert, and they're toning down overt references to the Lord. In
general, they want to present themselves, first and foremost, as a
rock band." (Contempory Christian Magazine - April 1986).
MICHAEL W. SMITH
"The people coming into the concerts are ready to rock. They come out
and want to have a good time. Some people need to get out there and
preach to them. Ask them for a decision at the end, but that's not my
calling. The kids I see are just ready to kick it out and have fun."
(CCM June 1986)
STEVE TAYLOR
"I appeared on the Dove Awards last year and I still feel
uncomfortable about it. I really don't belong there because I'm not
really part of that Gospel mainstream. Sure, I'm a Christian and that
influences the way I write songs but that's just being honest,
everybody pushes a point of view." (CCM Feb 1986).
LEON PATILLO
"I'm going to make a stand. I'm going to do something different. I'm
going to let the world stand up and say, 'Wow, man, did you see that
guy?' And it's going to be a perfect setup. As soon as they've got
their mouths open or their hearts open and they're going 'Wow', I'm
gonna throw Jesus right down their throats." (CCM Oct. 1985).
MYLON LeFEVRE
"Our music is rock and roll. We don't even tell anybody it's
contemporary Christian music...We are a rock'n'roll band. We sound
like one, we look like one, and at the end of the night we smell like
one....Its a rock'n'roll show that is a ministry. You can't separate
the two. Rock'n'roll is what I do. I put on a good show. I entertain
those people, I have a good time with them.......One of the things
Mylon may be referring to is a new album due out soon from CBS. He
and the band are going by the name, Look Up. 'It's a Christian album,
but you really have to know the Word to know it. CBS ain't gonna know
it. Every song on there - every note on there - is played by born-
again, Spirit-filled Christians. We had a good time making the
record. It's an anointed record and it's got a good message, but it's
very shallow. We really avoided certain words and phrases, you know.
It's just about themes." (CCM Mar 1986)
STRYKEN
"'A lot of intelligent guys out there are real headbangers. They
love metal, but they've had enough. They're tired of hearing every
sleazy metal band from Anaheim to Zimbabwe brag about how much
they drink, drug, and screw.' Not exactly churchy language, but
then Stryken professes to be a band not for the pulpit
but for the streets" (CCM Mar 1987)
RELIGIOUS ROCK AND ROLL
There is a style of music which has been invading the Church of
Jesus Christ which is godless, immoral, and which leads Christians
into rebellion and compromise with the world. That style of music is
"Christian" Rock an Roll. The term Rock & Roll was given to name a
form of music in the 1950's. The style of music was evil from its
beginning and it was appropriately given the name Rock & Roll. This
name was given by the world and it stands for the practice of
fornication by teenagers in the back seat of a car.
The primary axiom of music evaluation is that there is no such
thing as amoral music. Music is either good or evil. God says we
are responsible for everything we say, do, or think. The Bible says:
"...That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give
account thereof in the day of judgment" (Matt. 12:36). "For we must
all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may
receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad" (2 Cor 5:10).
The adherents of "Christian" Rock claim that their music is
necessary in order to win the lost to Christ. However, they overlook
the fact that God has ordained preaching to win the lost and not
music. The Bible says: "For after that in the wisdom of God the
world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of
preaching to save them that believe" (1 Cor 1:21).
Music has two purposes:
(1) To worship and glorify God.
(2) To edify and build up Christians.
"Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph 5:19).
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching
and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord" (Col 3:16).
Music is not necessary to win the lost but it is a form of
worship and praise to God. Since music is a form of worship it is
corrupted when mixed with carnality. The worship of God must be
carried out with purity. The world can take clean music and make it
unclean, but Christians cannot take unclean music and make it clean.
(See Haggai 2:12-13)
We are commanded not to touch the unclean thing. This also
applies to the music we listen to. The Bible says: "Be ye not
unequally yolked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light
with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what
part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath
the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living
God; as God hath said I will dwell in them, and walk in them and I
will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out
from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not
the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto
you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty".
The Word of God does not say we are to go out and borrow the
evil ways of the ungodly and use them for "soulwinning", but rather
we are commanded to come out and separate ourselves from evil. The
Word of God states further in James 4:4 " Ye adulterers and
adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity
with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the
enemy of God".
There are some people who say that "Christian" Rock can't be
wrong because of all the people who go forward at the concerts. They
also mention that these bands are popular because God is blessing
them. However; so called results do not mean that God is behind it.
The end does not justify the means (That is the basis of humanism).
The Lord Jesus said that many will be deceived by false prophets and
false Christs. "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive
many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax
cold....for there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and
shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were
possible they shall deceive the very elect" (Matt 24:11,12,24).
There may be sincere conversions at these concerts because God
will always honour His Word no matter under what circumstances it is
given. However, it is one thing to be saved, and another to grow and
develop into a victorious Christian. The Lord Jesus warned in
(Matt 7:15,21-23). "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in
sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves....Not every
one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied
in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name
done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I
never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity".
Another argument is that Jesus went out and mingled with
sinners. However, the Lord Jesus never went into a den of iniquity
nor did He copy the ways of the ungodly. "For such a high priest
became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners,
and made higher than the heavens;" (Heb 7:26). "I have given them
thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the
world, even as I am not of the world" (John 17:14).
- Do we take drugs to win addicts to Christ?
- Do we use foul language to witness to those who curse?
- Do we steal to identify with robbers?
- Do we draw lewd pictures to present Christ to the pornographer?
- Do we use carnal music to gain a hearing with the world?
The absurdity of the above methods is obvious. Therefore, we hope you
can see how wrong it is to use carnal, worldly music to present a
holy message to a Christless world.
"...Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that
which is good" (Rom 12:9).
"They profess that they know God; but in
works they deny Him, being abominable, and
disobedient, and unto every good work
reprobate" (Titus 1:16).
"Christian" Rock is destructive to the Church as it leads God's
people into sensuality, compromise, and worldliness. If you sincerely
love the Lord Jesus Christ and you are involved with this godless
music, then why won't you obey the Lord and forsake this unclean thing???
What kind of hold does religious rock have on people when they
refuse to give up their demonic music? How can a person profess that
he loves God and at the same time embrace such evil? How low must
religious rock sink before God's people wake up from their slumber?
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through
his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity
that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus,
whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye
have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye
might well bear with him....For such are false apostles, deceitful
workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no
marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed
as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to
their works" (2 Cor 11:3,4,13-15).
"For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old
ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our
God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord
Jesus Christ....Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh,
despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities....Woe unto them! for
they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error
of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Korah. These
are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you,
feeding themselves without fear; clouds they are without water,
carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit,
twice dead, plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming
out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the
blackness of darkness for ever" (Jude 4,8,11-13).
CONCLUSION
"For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you
even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory
is in their shame, who mind earthly things" (Phil 3:18,19).
"Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have
used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is
full of cursing and bitterness: Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have
they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes" (Rom
3:13-18).
When music has any of the following characteristics beware;
you are in danger of the demonic:
1) Deliberate Sensuality: This includes sexual clothing,
erotic movements, flirtatious come-on's designed to sexually
tease, and breathy voice designed to arouse an audience.
2) Clothes that are not in line with Biblical modesty: This
includes sexual, revealing clothes that suggest an unholy
lifestyle.
3) Unedifying speech: This includes stories, jokes, or
lyrics which have double meanings or have sexual overtones.
4) Extremely loud music: Thunderous decibel levels that
impair hearing and drown out lyrics .
This booklet closes on a note of sadness. We mourn over the
tragedy of the loss of discernment among the body of Christ. We
have shown how this evil music has gradually infiltrated the church
with the blessing of those in authority, until many congregations
no longer know the difference between the sacred and the profane.
We have shown throughout the history of secular rock and roll the
decline and destruction of values of decency and morality in
society. Will the church partake of this same downward slide?
Will the church abandon its role of salt and light and put on the
same garments of darkness and sensuality that the world wraps
itself in? The unsaved are desperately hoping to see something
different in Christianity. When a Christian lowers his standards
and walks arm in arm with the lost down the same broad road, the
unsaved can only laugh and sneer at the hypocrisy of it all. The
fact that millions are perishing in hell should cause us to examine
our walk and methods of evangelism. We have nothing but love in
our hearts toward those who sincerely want to reach a lost
generation for the Lord Jesus Christ. However, when Christians
seek to be conformed to this evil world rather than to God's
standards of righteousness and holiness, it is a cause of deep
concern. Consequently, we have endeavoured through this study to
offer a brotherly reproof to those whom we feel have been misled.
We ask only that the reader prayerfully consider the scriptures,
the information, and the arguments in the text. Our prayer is that
God would lead you out of the mud and filth of this world into a
deeper walk with Himself through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Copy and distribute this tract as needed)
By Alan Yusko and Ed Prior
THE SEED SOWERS, P.O. Box 2513, Stn. F, Scarborough, Ont. M1W 3P2
Canada.
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