Please Take Out The Trash!

On the way to the gym tonight I was listening to the radio and found myself absolutely disgusted with what I was hearing. My first reaction was to change the channel, and so I did. I switched from the Urban music station to an R&B station and still couldn't find anything worth listening to. Needless to say, I was disappointed at the lack of quality music available at that time. I used up tempo music to rev me up for my workouts. The lack of inspiration got me thinking in a different direction.

As I began to analyze what was wrong with the songs that were played and the evil message they're delivering to listeners, I heard a still, small voice speaking to me. The Voice said, "Curse It."

In that moment I realized that it never dawned on me to do anything but be offended and complain about the evil I see in society. Sure, everyone complains and many are unhappy and want change, but probably, like me, they aren't doing anything real about it. Not anymore, not me. So, out of my mouth I decreed that the message of those songs would not prosper, would not usurp the values and virtues of my Lord, would be powerless against the plan of God concerning the generations exposed to it. I also decreed that the writers, singers, and all involved in producing and publishing those songs would have a decrease in listenership as to affect their profits. Whether they have a change of heart (which is most desired), or get tired of loosing money because listeners are crying out for more depth and virtue, I just want change. Why? Not because I want to see people hurt and broke, but because my heart is weary of people, young and old, being taught and encouraged to explore sexual perversity. So much of what we hear is nothing more than audio pornography.

I don't care how many times performers declare that they are not role models, only artist - it doesn't change the fact that they will be admired, revered, and most of all, heard by the inexperienced and impressionable. I am a firm believer that your gift makes a place for you. And, if you are gifted you don't need to take your clothes off (or tell other people to) in order to sell enough records so that you could win an award you're gonna turn around and thank God for.

One of the biggest arguements from that industry is that "sex sells". But I challenge that sex only sells because slowly, over time, little by little, the foundation of sex was laid upon which entertainment could be sold. Sex is a marketing tool. But for the forces, or "powers that be", it is a way to proclaim a message that violates the Word of God and seeks to thwart the Will of God.

Don't be misled. I enjoy a great love song as any person would who has experienced love (or desires to). I enjoy being reminded of my first slow dance, my first kiss, the day I knew I was truly in love. I even enjoy music that inspires romance. I'm not dead and I'm very happily married. What I do despise - now, as a person who seeks to serve and worship God through obedience to His word and relationship with Him - is music that glamorizes sexual perversion and the sexual misuse and abuse of one of the greatest gifts God's given every human being. Our bodies, the chalise of our spirits.

We are so much more than our sexual appetites, yet to watch television or listen to popular radio you would never know it. Fortunately, no weapon formed against us will prosper.