Christian Rock- Driven To Darkness

"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.... And they shall look unto the earth; and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish; and they shall be driven to darkness" (Isaiah 8:20, 22).

Last night I attended a Christian music festival. I will never forget what I saw, and I can truly say it was a heartbreaking experience. Since leaving the concert I have been weeping for hours, groaning in the Spirit feeling the wrath of a holy God burning against what I saw.

I went to the festival because the "star performer" featured last night had been in my office just hours before, crying, telling me how much he loved Jesus, how sincere he was, how he wanted to learn more about holiness. He told me my written messages convicted him. His words sounded right - his attitude seemed humble. At his request I went to hear him and his group because he assured me I would not be offended.

My heart is now so set on the massive human need in New York City, and my great concerns now have to do with rescuing last souls from drugs, alcohol and demon possession. I did not want to get involved anymore in the matter of rock and roll, heavy metal, and punk music in the church. I felt I had said enough on the subject and I told the musician so when he sat in my office. We had prayed together and I hugged him when he left my office.

I went last night with an open heart, full of love and compassion - for him, for all Christian musicians, and especially for the 3,000 or so young people attending the festival. I sat through two devotional-type songs, then I sat attentively listening as the musician testified about what he said Christ had done in his life. No preacher anywhere could have spoken with more conviction and sincerity - the words were right. He spoke of separation, of being obedient to Jesus, of winning souls, of prayer, of holy matrimony (he was married), of living a holy life. I prayed as he spoke, "Dear Lord, maybe I misjudged this musician and his hard rock group. Maybe you are doing something new in using the music the ungodly prefer, to win them - to get their attention, to attract them so they can be ministered to. Lord, I am willing to rejoice in hearing You preached, in any manner, from any group - if You are present in it - if your Holy Spirit is blessing it."

I was honestly questioning if my writings about the music of devils in God's house were just old-fashioned prejudices or simply my distaste for rock music. Was it just so much fuss about nothing? Yet something was not quite right. There was an inner tug at my heart making me ill at ease. I reasoned, "If Satan is camouflaged in this somehow, if there is a leaven of evil - it will be revealed. Satan always reveals himself in one way or another."

Suddenly the singer yelled in the microphone, "Jesus is coming - He is going to crack the skies - get ready!" The song was entitled, "Crack The Skies." Suddenly smoke was billowing out of smoke machines, the pounding beat was turned up to a frenzied pitch, eerie lights began flashing, the musicians stood like phantoms rising from a murky swamp. It was ghostly, weird, strange - and the crowd went wild - they seemed to love it. At the same festival, a wild spiked hair group had entertained - with painted faces, prancing about like homosexual peacocks.

At first, I couldn't believe what I was seeing on stage. I said out loud, "This can't be happening at a Christian festival - they can't do this to my Jesus! These people can't be this blind - the leaders of this youth ministry can't be so undiscerning! Oh God - what has happened to your church that its leaders, its people, can't see the evil of this abomination?"

Suddenly I was on the ground, on my back, weeping and sobbing, and groaning in the Spirit. I sat up and took another look at the stage. I was horrified by what I saw in the Spirit. I saw demonic images rising from that stage! I heard Satan laughing! Laughing at all the blind parents - the blind shepherds - the blind youth - the backslidden church! It was an overt manifestation of Satan - worse than anything I've ever seen on the streets of New York.

I stood to my feet, literally shaking with the fear of God - consumed with a sense of His holy wrath against such wickedness. I rushed into the crowd crying at the top of my voice - Ichabod! (The glory of the Lord has departed!) Ichabod! I ran through the crowd, pushing aside chairs, weeping, shouting at the top of my voice, "Ichabod - this is satanic! Stop! God is grieved!" I was mostly ignored and I think most thought I was a crazy lunatic. I doubt anybody knew who I was - the musicians could not hear me, and the crowd was too tight to allow me near the stage. I wanted to get to a microphone and cry like an Elijah - "This is vomit on the table of the Lord! Who are your teachers, that you could be so blind, so worldly, so deceived!? What kind of blasphemy is this?"

I will not shut up on this matter! I will not be silent while multitudes of our Christian youth are being deceived by smooth-talking wolves in sheep's clothing! True love demands that the truth be told.

What hurt my spirit the most, and what is so hard for me to understand, is that this particular group, and many others, attend Pentecostal churches. The musician I refer to told me he gave up drugs, drinking, evil sex and rock and roll performing when he got saved. He cut his long, feminine hair, he quit dressing like an exhibitionist and began to change all his ways. It was a pastor who encouraged him to "quit looking so square and use rock and roll to reach the kids." A teacher, in his sixties, travels on occasion with them, teaching them and encouraging them in their evil methods. According to their teacher, rock and roll is gong to be the "normal music in all Pentecostal and evangelical churches."

It's now the middle of the night and I can't sleep! I can't stop weeping inside. I am shut in with God in my study diligently asking Him to show me what is happening, because hours ago I saw a few thousand young Christians, with uplifted hands, thinking it was Jesus, when it was most assuredly the devil. Has the church - or what man calls the church - so backslidden that there is no more discernment whatsoever? Has God given up on some who are set on bringing devilish practices into the realm of worship?

Now I wonder - "Who dares teach such a Jesus - a Jesus who winks at deception? How blatantly they are mislearning Jesus Christ! What Jesus are they preaching?"

"But Ye Have Not So Learned Christ"
(Ephesians 4:20).

That is what Paul said in his letter to the Ephesians. He was warning them not to walk as some do "in the vanity [pride] of their mind" (Ephesians 4:18). He warned of those who learned Christ in a perverted way, because their understanding was darkened. They were "cut off from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart" (Ephesians 4:18).

Some teacher, some shepherd, had mistaught Jesus Christ to them. The Christ they learned was not the Christ of God, the Lord of holiness, the master of purity. While they speak so sweetly of Jesus, and weep when they mention the name, and tell of a hunger to walk in the ways of Christ - Paul said of them, they "are past feeling and have given themselves over unto lasciviousness [lustfulness], to work all uncleanness with greediness" (Ephesians 4:19).

That is what I saw last night at the music festival - a group of musicians who were pied pipers, leading many young people right into the arms of Satan with their smooth words about Jesus, about celebrating forgiveness - then with an energy of flesh and carnal greediness hard to fathom - they put their stamp of approval on a paganism right out of the devil's treasury. They were saying, by their music and their worldly, ghastly performance - that Jesus and the garbage of this world are compatible. They wore two masks - one of sincere followers of Christ, the other of performing clowns. With their faces lifted up to God, they cursed Him by their blasphemous mockery. Isaiah prophesied of such, "...they shall curse their king and their God, and look upward" (Isaiah 8:21). What they preach and practice are two different gospels.

They are deceived, and consequently they are deceivers themselves. They have mislearned Christ! They have been duped, manipulated and cheated! They should have had a pastor or teacher with enough Holy Ghost discernment, with enough devotion to the true and holy Lord - to warn them, to show them that God does not put up with holding on to the old man and the old carnal ways. Why didn't their shepherds discern that these boys were walking in ignorance and spiritual blindness, not understanding the true demands of Christ? Why wasn't their greed dealt with - not so much for money and fame, but a greed that would not let go of the very thinking that once led them into drugs and emptiness. It's all coming out now - that these groups are falling on all sides, going back to the secular crowd, back to cocaine, back to groupies - playing the part of hypocrites and gospel phonies. Their shepherds are so easily conned, because they are blind in every way. Paul said it right, "For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret" (Ephesians 5:12). The very music they perform drives them back to darkness.

Now - it's probably too late! They have rejected the reproof of prophets and watchmen who really preach the truth! They are like those Paul warns about, who have become so lost in spiritual ignorance and blindness, they are past feeling conviction. They are confirmed in their worldly ways! They are so blind they believe they are honoring Christ and blessing multitudes of youth the church "can't reach."

Sin-Soft Preachers Are Driving
This Generation Into Darkness

"...they shall be driven to darkness..." (Isaiah 8:22).

I blame their smooth talking, sin soft shepherds. Those same shepherds must one day stand before Christ's judgment seat and answer - not only for the musicians under their care - but for all the Christian young people they in turn have hurt and destroyed. Without flinching, I declare that cowardly ministers, those who want to be loved and honored rather than rejected for preaching truth, are driving this generation into deep spiritual darkness.

We would not be facing a generation of backslidden, pleasure-loving, worldly minded youth in our churches - youth who do not even know the commandments of a holy Christ - if we had more holy, bold preachers and evangelists who could teach and preach the truth of Christ with purity and authority.

I am not accusing all preachers and teachers - thank God for the few who still do not cower to the crowd or compromise for the sake of numbers and success. Maybe the youth won't listen to those of us who cry out against their lusting after the world - but when the judgments accelerate - they will turn to the preachers of holiness for a sure word from God.

There is filth in Zion, and strangers have been exalted in the house of God - by blind, compromised, undiscerning Christian leaders. They are calling evil good, and the counsel of a righteous God is lightly esteemed. Hearts are hardening, ears are closing, eyes are being shut - because pride and flesh and ungodly entertainment is grieving the Holy Spirit right out of His temple.

Isaiah warned, "...their root shall be as rottenness,...because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against his people..." (Isaiah 5:24, 25).

Hell must be ecstatic at the spectacle of ministers not just abdicating to the immoral music standards of the young - but actually promoting what only demons should be promoting. Who brings these worldly bent groups into the church for concerts? Who encourages the youth to embrace the music of devils? Who ridicules evangelists and prophets and watchmen who cry out against it? Who puts it on radio, T.V. and who promotes the concerts and festivals that are now degenerating into satanic showcases? It is the pastors, youth ministers, Christian radio and T.V. station owners and managers. They will all live to see the wicked harvest of their soft gospel and compromise - as their very own children fall away to the spirit of this age.

Webster's Twentieth Century Dictionary defines whoredom as "the desertion of the worship of God for the worship of idolatry." A whoremonger is one who procures or promotes it. Any spiritual leader who procures or promotes this idolatrous desertion of true worship is truly a whoremonger. And Paul states emphatically, "No whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God" (Ephesians 5:5).

Young people - don't listen to the whoremongers listen instead to the apostle Paul - who warned, "Let no man [even preachers] deceive you with vain [empty] words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be ye not therefore partakers with them" (Ephesians 5:6, 7).

Reprove Them!

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,
but rather reprove them" (Ephesians 5:11).

All spiritual work that is tainted with the least bit of darkness, God calls unfruitful works! This refutes the big lie of the devil being promoted by the pushers of "new wave" music, which argues, "But it can't be of the devil. Look at all the kids getting saved! Listen to their wonderful testimonies. They really reach the youth - many are getting saved. They speak in a way the kids understand - they glorify Christ in their speech."

God never has judged a work by results. No one is more successful in holding converts than the Muslims. No church is richer than the Vatican. The Jehovah Witnesses claim to be winning multitudes to Christ.

God judges everything by light! That means, by how godly, how Christ-like it is - by how clear, how pure, how transparent it is. He repudiates and spits out of His mouth all that has even a part dark. John saw the Holy City descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. That is a holy people, a bride adorned and prepared for the Bridegroom. Its main characteristic is this: "Her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal!" (Revelation 21:11).

Whatever is of God is clear as crystal! It is holiness so pure, it is translucent as a pure jasper stone. Those who are numbered in this holy Zion, this New Jerusalem coming down from God - have all stepped out into the light. There is no darkness in them at all - they have been translated into His light! They walk in the light - they hate darkness - they reprove it wherever it appears. The enemy has come into religious circles to destroy what is pure and clear by introducing a pagan element that creates a shadow or film. If Satan can inject the slightest degree of error, or evil leaven, he knows the Holy Spirit will draw back because of a grieving. That is why no mixture - no shadow of dark paganism must be permitted in Christ's church.

Also, the Bible speaks of every seed yielding after its own kind (Genesis 1:12). An evil seed produces evil fruit, often not recognized until maturity. The rock and roll "prophets" of this generation are yielding a seed after their own kind - a seed that will one day bring forth a fruit that will wither and die. Jude makes that very clear, "...these feed 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" (Jude 12).

What of the good sounding testimonies, the sincere and convincing sermonettes? Paul has the answer. "Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them... For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Jesus Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting" (Romans 16:17, 18 NAS).

Oh how God's people need discernment. Great deceptions abound every where, not only regarding the rock and punk music of the young, but also in regard to new forms of worship and praise being promoted. Some of it is born of the Holy Spirit, but much is born of the flesh - and only those who walk in the light know the difference.

There is a revival of worship and praise in the land today, and much focus on prayer, intercession and new revelation. There is no question about there being more and more Christians standing for an hour or two - with great congregations singing and praising loudly. There are smiles, laughter, joy, hand clapping, upraised hands, dancing - never in modern times has there been a greater shout in the camp.

Thank God for those in the camp who worship in Spirit and in truth - who lift clean hands and who have pure hearts - who come before His holiness with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. If they are walking in holiness, trembling at God's Word, repentant and free from the bondage of sin - it is a glorious and acceptable offering unto the Lord. God does inhabit the praises of His people - but only if those people are walking in practical righteousness.

But There Is a Shout Which is
Shallow and Meaningless!

There is the shout of the over comer and the shout of the idolater - and we had better know the difference. The Lord commanded Moses to "Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: they have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it" (Exodus 32:7,8).

As Moses and Joshua approached the camp of Israel, Joshua "heard the noise of the people as they shouted..." (vs. 17). But it was not the shout of those who had overcome the enemy. The true shepherd Moses, having come fresh from the very presence of God's holiness - could easily discern that the great shout coming from the Lord's chosen people was not pure. Something was terribly wrong - it did not ring of the holiness of God.

Moses said, "It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise them that sing do I hear" (Exodus 32:18).

That's all it was meaningless, shallow noise - but an abomination in the ears of a holy God. They had no right to sing; their hearts were lusting after an idol. Their hearts were given to pleasure and fun. They stood before a golden calf - and in the name of the Lord offered burnt offerings. The people "sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play..." (Exodus 32:6).

I received many letters from Christians whom I know have come through the school of Christ. They have come through much suffering and spiritual warfare to a place in God where nothing else matters but knowing Him in fullness. They were driven by such deep hunger for God, they began to thirst for Christ as "the hart that panteth after the water." They tell me how out of place they feel in these great assemblies where the shout in the camp goes forth. It all looks good, and on the surface sounds good. But they can't enter in, because they discern something is basically wrong. They can't even explain it - the Spirit of God within them will not let them partake of it. They discern some kind of unspeakable darkness - something subtle, yet ominous about all the flesh that accompanies the singing, shouting, and dancing. It is almost too professional, too put on, too carnal. They leave, thinking to themselves, "Is it me - is there something wrong with me? Am I too judgmental? Why am I not comfortable amidst all this singing and dancing?"

Those who have stepped out into the light can easily discern the shadow of darkness. They will not be fooled by false shouting, false dancing, false worship, or false praying.

True Zion saints rejoice with trembling! (Psalm 2:11). They know that gladness belongs only to "the upright in heart" (Psalm 97:11). They can sing and dance when the Spirit moves them, but with David they can say, "Zion heard, and was glad; and the daughters of Judah rejoiced because of Thy judgments, O Lord" (Psalm 97:8). Zion saints, "Give thanks to the Lord at the remembrance of His holiness" (Psalm 97:12).

No punk or rock or phony shouting and praising for those walking in the light. They praise Him for both His goodness and because they tremble at His great and terrible name.

"The Lord is great in Zion; and he is high above all the people... Let the people tremble... Let them praise Thy great and terrible [awe-inspiring] name; for it is holy" (Psalm 99:1-3).-David Wilkerson

Trying to win the world by imitating the world is like the commander of a fortress deciding to build ramps over the moats and battlements so he can more easily attack beseigers. Instead, the beseigers storm over the ramps and sack the fortress, and he goes down in military history as the dumbest commander ever. That is what happened to the church: they changed the approach and the world conquered.

What band was this.

The CMA (christian music industry) believes that they are the next wave of true revival in America and around the world. What a mistaken belief they have. Until they hear the voice of God speak to them like Jesus spoke to the rich young ruler, "go sell all you have and give to the poor and take up your cross and come follow me", they will never do anything but excite carnal passions- or feeling- emotions, in the hearers. Take heart though, The Lord is going to have true godly music abound, that kind that will drive out evil thoughts in the hearers and bring true brokeness and humility of heart to them who open up thier hearts to the Lord sitting upon His throne, where one can get sweep up in the all consuming sounds of holy holy holy is the Lamb of God. There's a revival coming (in America--that is) that will start small and grow in intensity and reach into all of life and take out an holy remnant for the Lord, to be His bride. A seperation will be really plain in thoughs days and like the Word Jesus said while here on earth physically, unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood ..... and many of the disciples turned away and didn't follow Him after that..... that kind of seperation is what I'm talking about in these last days.

I rember a dream I had many many years ago where I spoke against these groups, they were pretty angry at me and came at me, the dream stopped at that point and there was a space of time and than the dream took off again only this time the individuals in the groups were big, like angels, only they were all dark, they had no light in them, dark like a base darkness, and they were really mad at me because I had spoken against them. Well that was just a dream.....right?

I remember reading this message by David Wilkerson some years ago. The situation is far worse now.

And it's one of the reasons judgment is at the door.

"O Lord thy hand is lifted up, yet they do not see it" (Isa. 26.11, NASB).

I went to a very prominent "Christian" concert many years ago in downtown Portland, and I smelt some kids smoking pot right behind me for the first time in my life. I would not have even known what it was if some of my friends who were with me hadn't told me they were toking.

I am aware that the band was not responsible for this, neither would I ever have the attitude to keep sinners away from hearing the gospel. Unfortunately the gospel was not preached, the lyrics were screamed more than sung, the hall was filled with alcohol, smoke, lewd behavior, and all around basic pagan practice. If the practice had been confronted, like the woman at the well was confronted, or the weak whom Jesus healed and told to sin no more, then it would have been redeeming. There was nothing redemptive whatsoever...record sales increased, tickets were sold, and souls were left just the way they were, inept to change, content in sin, and rushing headlong toward hell. I grieve that I was too lukewarm to care at the time...

i think this message was delivered back in 1987.i really like it.Thank God for such men of His as brother David Wilkerson.May we all truly be the light of the world and the salt of the earth.

I was mightily converted in 1981 and immediately destroyed all my rock albums because I knew I had no choice. Can you imagine my shock when I heard the church youth group shortly after my conversion? The confusion in my head was that of any new born babe in the Lord; "Father, why are they playing the devil's music here?"

The kicker was when I was rebuked for being judgemental and that I was too young in the Lord to know anything.

And so, we see the fruit produced, and why the false converts so violently defend their form of worship.

I heard an excellent segment by John Todd, a former satanist and member of the illuminati. He is very explicit about the role of the parent and their accountability on the day of judgement for allowing their children to partake in this. He is clear about it's origin and very blunt about participating in corrupting the Christian church by planting false brethren and paying off pastors.

I know many will be upset about this post, but I'd rather speak the truth if even only one will wake up and see it for what it is.

These are evil days brethren.

John Todd lived only a short time as a Christian before he disappeared for declaring the truth. I guess he set a standard that we all should as well. Telling the truth and dying for it is much more honorable than going with the flow.

Appreciate you sharing your story.

God bless you - and keep on preaching the truth regardless of the response. It may kill you, but there is a crown awaiting the faithful.

Blessings,
ginnyrose

Hell must be ecstatic at the spectacle of ministers not just abdicating to the immoral music standards of the young - but actually promoting what only demons should be promoting. Who brings these worldly bent groups into the church for concerts? Who encourages the youth to embrace the music of devils? Who ridicules evangelists and prophets and watchmen who cry out against it? Who puts it on radio, T.V. and who promotes the concerts and festivals that are now degenerating into satanic showcases? It is the pastors, youth ministers, Christian radio and T.V. station owners and managers. They will all live to see the wicked harvest of their soft gospel and compromise - as their very own children fall away to the spirit of this age.

Whatever is of God is clear as crystal! It is holiness so pure, it is translucent as a pure jasper stone. Those who are numbered in this holy Zion, this New Jerusalem coming down from God - have all stepped out into the light. There is no darkness in them at all - they have been translated into His light! They walk in the light - they hate darkness - they reprove it wherever it appears. The enemy has come into religious circles to destroy what is pure and clear by introducing a pagan element that creates a shadow or film. If Satan can inject the slightest degree of error, or evil leaven, he knows the Holy Spirit will draw back because of a grieving. That is why no mixture - no shadow of dark paganism must be permitted in Christ's church.

This is an excellent article. Thank you for posting it.

The volume...in our part of the country it began with Southern Gospel music being performed with such volume that it could make a body deaf in short order.

The reality is that far too many are using the Gospel to make a living, to make money - they have merchandised the Gospel to pad their pockets! The tragedy is that far too many folks are unwittingly enabling these groups with their money by either attending their concerts and/or buying their music.

An aside - this morning I went to Dollar General and behind me in the check-out line was a nice 30ish YO black male. He had on a black jacket with a picture of a skull on the front in the middle. It had a lot of other golden, gray swirls - it looked devilish. I said something to him about it. He said the only reason he got it is because of fashion. I then asked him if he thought I would wear something like that? He said "no." Interesting. Wonder why?

Are we also caught up in doing something because it is fashionable and unwittingly promote the devil's agenda?

ginnyrose

I believe music is one of the most powerful traits that Satan hold in is arsenal against the kingdom of God.

I had made a couple of remarks in our fellowship about our music. I once even cried out: Are these the songs of Zion? Are these the songs of the redeemded ones? I raised questions about the genuinity of our worship and got in trouble with our leadership. They called me into a meeting.

I am concerned that contemporary music in the church is often used to induce feelings that emulate the moving of the Holy Spirit.
The worship leader has everything worked out already and follows his script.
The band on the stage delivers to the unsaved a religious experience by using rhythms that subtly rock and whip our emotions into into an upbeat self-confidence. The distortion of natural sound from acoustic sound mirrors the distortion of truth. The beat and distortion promote the aggression of the unregenerated self. Beautiful melodies and harmonies draw attention to the music and the musicians rather than expressing the beauty of the Lord. Amplification raises the volume above the noise level and puts us under pressure to go the flow.

The lyrics of many modern Christian songs focus on MYself, MY blessing, MY feelings, MY devotion, MY benefit. Jesus becomes my servant, and receive the blessing I am entitled to.

We go through the motions. There is little prayer, no waiting, silence is unbearable. We have not entered into the holy place. There is not divine revelation of Christ. We succumb to a crafted substitute. Surrogate worship. There is no transaction between us and God. After the service, I am still the sameself person, no inch closer to God. There are "worship" services where I feel quite grieve and cannot enter into the excitement that surrounds me. I sit down and flick through my bible while other join into the singing.

This is very subtle and most people do not recognize this. Some spirit filled Christians often find that there is something not quite right but they cannot quite express what it is that causes them discomfort. I must admit that I also struggle with judgmental attitudes at times and wonder if my observation are right. I do not want to discredit my brother's true worship experience while I sit next to him feeling absolutely nothing.

True worship starts with God. I come prepared. I have heard from God in my quiet time. I come to give, I come to receive. I am in great anticipation that God will be uplifted and glorified in his body. One has a song, another a prayer. Perhaps silence. Perhaps tongues and interpretation. Someone shares a bible verse. Then a song that is triggered of from the verse. A time of thanksgiving, intercession, weeping, rejoicing, lifting up holy hands. There is a sense of awe. As we draw near to God he draws near to us.

Worship is a unique event. There is nothing that smells like something crafted or programmatic. There may be a leader, but he is not the central figure because he listens to the Holy Ghost all the time. The musicians are sensitive to the Spirit. They may play skillfully like David but they do not dare to take any glory away from God.

It does not have to be always hymns. There is nothing wrong with biblical modern chorusses. There is no aggression in true worship music, neither is there a sugar-coated cheesiness. There is no public display of my spirituality. There is no sense of spiritual superiority or false humility.

John 4:24
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

I long to see the fulfillment of this bible truth.

What wonderful and godly replies to this subject. I am greatly encouraged that there are others that God is drawing aside to see.

With this sort of music, is the fruit that it produces to prove the true source.

In the little congregation that we were driven from, there is fornication, divorce and remarriage, witchcraft, (yes, witchcraft). This is from the musicians specifically and trickles down through the body. Remember, a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. His word is the truth.

Brethren, as a mail carrier, I am forced to deliver disgusting things to the homes of professing Christians. These people do honor Him with their mouths but their hearts are far from Him.

From my early years as a Christian, and reading about the annointed cherub that was once at a place of honor to worship God, I knew that music would be his key to polluting the body of Christ. Music is NOT neutral dear saints. It either glorifies God and is harmonic as Narrowpath shared, or self servicing and sensual.

It is no wonder that when God fearing brethren sit in these services, they cannot clap and participate. The Holy Spirit is being grieved and that is our instructor.

I am so sad for the young people; many are forever deceived.

I am so grateful for Art Katz and David Wilkerson who are among the faithful to declare the truth. I am even moreso blessed by my brothers and sisters who stand alone in their congregations to defend the Truth. May the Lord Jesus strengthen us as the days get more evil.

Music is a powerful soul-stirrer. It is probably the most influential medium we have on this planet for manipulating emotion, for inducing ecstasy, for conjuring up memories, for evoking tears, et cetera. More than smell, sight or taste or physical touch, music is able to accomplish the goal quicker, more poignantly and more powerfully than all the others combined.

A steady drum beat can have almost atomic power over the soul in particular. Savages in uncivilized jungles and rainforests invariably use(d) a beat to "enter in" to the realm of their gods and gain access to their influential power. The Native North Americans discovered and employed the same with their gods. The ancient Romans and Vikings beat the drums to "soldierize" the armies and groom their warriors' souls in preparation for the bloodlust of war. The power of mantraesque drumbeats over the soul of man is irrefutable.

When this means of Adamic soul power is transferred over into the realm of modern evangelical Christianity, we can find ourselves swimming in a crosschannel of two converging waters. Anyone who has experience swimming knows that crosscurrents can be precarious. The undercurrents try to pull you beneath the surface. Good swimmers know not to swim in certain waters, understanding the risks. Unfortunately, most Christians are poor swimmers and not strong enough the withstand the currents. Some delight in cliff diving into shallow pools, while others see no risk in swimming the channel where the two oceans meet.

While I dont believe all waters are dangerous, we must remember that all water is potentially drownable. Even in the placid waters of hymns there may be a danger of soul-stirring if one merely comes haphazardly to bathe for recreation.

Kathleen wrote:

reading about the annointed cherub that was once at a place of honor to worship God, I knew that music would be his key to polluting the body of Christ.

I recall an old prophet once pointing out that the anointed cherub that covereth had music built right into his being in the day he was created. "The workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created" (Ezek. 28.13).

Music was a part of his very being. God had created him that way. You might say he was the "worship leader" of Heaven, whose job it was to see that all praise and glory were given to God alone. That's what his anointing was all about. But apparently he began to covet that glory for himself, he began to divert it, and keep the glory for himself. And so he was dismissed, and the anointing was taken away from him. The music is still there, but not the anointing! Now he uses his music to defile and pollute the glory of God instead of protecting and guarding it. He's not Lucifer the Light bearer any more, He's Satan the Adversary!

How we need to pay attention to the Anointing! And the sad thing, the utterly grievous thing, the horrifying thing is-- as Wilkerson says in his message-- our leaders are not doing this! In many cases it's the pastors, the youth leaders, the worship leaders in our churches, the very ones who should be protecting the glory of God and His people, these are the very ones who are rolling out the red carpet for... I can't even say it... for SATAN to come into the Church of Christ!

...We better find Something to hang on to! Great shakings are at the door!

I would encourage everyone to explore historic Psalmnody. We often go back to hymns as if we were embracing the "Old Paths", when in actuality they were considered an innovation by many churches of the Reformation, who did not sing the words of men, but rather the words of God.

It is a blessing to go back and sing the songs of God. In fact, I found it shocking at first. They Psalms are often very masculine, and not very much like the mushy songs of today or even the 19th century hymns.

Crown and Covenant publications publishes a nice Psalter - "The Book of Psalms of Worship"

With care in Christ...

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