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A Messianic Testfies About Music
by Rodney D. Ready
My testimony is that when I was younger in my teens I was heading on the wrong path having gotten away from Yahushua (Jesus) in those years. Being a teenager in the 70's/80's was difficult but seeing what has come about and with six children of my own now, how much more difficult it is now to stay on the right path.
Music is one of the most influencing tools of the enemy there is. As we know it entices by sound to make one open to the message it brings. As a teenager I got hooked on rock music, spending my hard earned money on 8 track tapes and records. Boy have things come a long way since 8 track! Well, after a couple of years getting into things I shouldn't have been involved with as those in the drug culture tried to lure me in as well, at least I had enough sense to stay away from that, I was invited to a youth group meeting at an Assembly of God church. Those still the days when Yahuweh was moving people right where they were even before he begain calling to 'Come out of her' as we learned of his plans.
Well, I started going to the youth group meetings and how powerful the Holy Spirit was moving to draw in a great large crowd. People were repenting and getting salvation, there were those coming back to him from all walks of life, young people and many being delivered from drugs, and music, and all kinds of wickedness. As I began to become convicted by the Holy Spirit I repented of my ways as in what many think an innocent thing just listening to that music but it had become my idol as in esteeming those wicked things as in all kinds of commandment breaking lyrics and songs. It was a lure to walk down the path of destruction as I already saw those things coming my way of being enticed into drugs and the ways of the world.
The youth group leader had come out of the same things and knew how important it was to make a statement of repentance. Those were the days of record burning gatherings... I decided to take my entire idol collection and burn it as well. Remembering that decision, it was hard to do since the main factor was to repent of all of that money wasted on something I would decide to burn. I made the decision, and at that time it was one of the most difficult I had made but after it was done was set free! It felt good to be rid of that idol of constantly chasing the next hottest thing and putting my money into that corruption.
Well, that wasn't the end of it. Later on, after getting involved in ministry's at the church, reaching out to others bringing people in, staying on the path, what subtly came into my life was then a return of the same 'idol' but it was in "Christian" music of all kinds including rock. Well, I went through the same thing with what most thought was ok, spending money and time invested in all kinds of music. Some of the music was just fine, but, without realizing it the music was becoming an idol. The trend to make the walk more about music and staying up with the latest thing out. That as well being involved in many concerts where that same youth group had brought in groups such as Petra, Randy Stonehill, and many many more, even having concerts where thousands attended. Seeing those things up close as in one concert the church was torn up by those attending, I slowly came to the conclusion as the Holy Spirit moved me asking, can you follow me where there is no music? If you were isolated in a prison camp even where the enemy poured out evil music could you follow me still?
Well, over time I came to realize what most of the "Christian" music was really about and that was/is esteem of man and money. Even in today's music world of "Messianic" and other type music those two things are still very prevelant no matter what the flavor. Even good sound and 'twisting' of the Messiah's heart are to watch for but easy to get hooked into for some.
The way I am today is that i can hear anything. I do not endorse anything as in loving it or thinking I have to have it to stay on the path of righteousness. Most of what is 'secular' music is about commandment breaking. It is also in music we think as 'kosher'. I can do with or without and mostly better without as there is very little I can personally listen to for times to worship and enjoy the Shalom of Messiah's relationship.
Sounds of Peace are wonderful. Even of healing type sound that brings calm and clarity of thought. Some free music such as that given out by Terry Arthur and Yahweh Assembly of plain worship is my favorite when thinking on the message of the scriptures.
Now, thinking on this, I think I have some more cleaning to do among my house but some of the kids may not like it.
We come to maturity in our Walk with Messiah and nothing can change our Heart once set on him. Even in this wicked world where we are constantly being bombarded by commandment breaking. But we become tough soilders and can take anything without giving in. Yahushua is our Salvation! Shalom.
This page was created on 19 December 2009
Last updated on 19 December 2009
Copyright © 2009 Rodney D. Ready