When I tell you I have sat here and stared at this blank screen with only the title on it for a long time, I am dead serious. This gray area really got to me. After Mackenzie and I discussed the gray area of cussing on our podcast Finding Our Seat, I just blanked here. I mean it seems like every single show, movie, song, and social media post has sin all over it. I felt like I couldn’t watch or listen to anything. I immediately deleted TikTok because it seemed like no matter what algorithm I was on there was always something unclean mixed in. I quit listening to any music on the radio or even that was on my phone, unless it was worship music, because even if the songs are clean from cussing, there are sexual references in almost every song today. So for many days I chose to read a book or listen to a podcast instead of my usual tv watching to pass time.
Day after day I tried to figure out what I believed within this area of media and music. Hence why I am late on getting this post out, which I apologize for by the way. I just couldn’t allow myself to write this post without knowing my stance on this topic. Is it okay to listen to music that cusses or that has certain references within it? We can ask the same questions when it comes to what tv shows or movies we watch. What is the answer here?
I spoke to a few of my good friends while searching for answers on this subject, and even answers from you all on my Instagram helped as well! Before I go any further I want to say what I believe on this area may be different from you. Truth is there is not a point blank, direct answer in the Bible, which is why I searched in the Bible and also in those around me for answers. If you have a different opinion or just want to speak on the subject please email me through the contact page link or on social media!
Just like who we hang out with influences who we become, so does what we watch and listen to. As we continue to grow in our walk and in our lives the things all around us influence our lives. You’ve noticed that right? The phrases you say because those you’re around says them or the change in lifestyle for the same reason. The list goes on and on. If you pay close enough attention you’ll see this same influence that tv, music, and social media have on you.
Honestly, social media is horrible. It has brought so much toxicity into each of our lives in a very sneaky way. What we see on social media can really bring us down or heavily influence who we are. You know that post you saw recently that made you feel like you needed to work out more? What about the post that made you feel the need to buy clothing that is in? Even the really funny TikTok that said a provocative phrase that causes you to repeat it to people over and over because it was so funny. You see, there is a whole giant web of influences on social media that morphs you into who you are today, instead of it being based off of Jesus, who you are is based off of the world. I’m not telling you to go and delete all your social media, but honestly it’s AMAZING to do so, but instead I’m asking you to open your eyes to what is influencing you so that you can get that worldly influence out of your life before it is able to heavily influence who you are.
Music is a huge part of my day and I’m sure yours too. It doesn’t matter if I’m cleaning, studying, getting ready, or driving down the road music makes each of those tasks better. I am going to be flat out honest with you, the days mood determines what I am listening to. I love listening to worship music during those tasks one day, but the next I jam to Ariana Grande and Khalid instead. That in and of itself is not sinful, but it can become sinful. Thinking back to my high school days music really influenced the way I spoke and the words I used. I only ever listened to the nastiest rap songs out there without any filter at all, and it showed. I allowed that music and the words into my mind, and that is eventually what influenced me to talk the way I did. I bet if you examine your life at some point music did the same for you, and guess what, it still does.
Tv shows and movies are right there with music, but I believe to be even worse, at least for me. It’s worse because you are able to actually watch the way the characters are acting along with their lines. If you like the way a certain character acts, it is easy for us to be influenced by that and start acting that way. TV is also a place where we can watch softcore porn and get away with it because it is in the show, we did not choose to see it. Guys, there’s softcore porn in almost every single show and movie out there today that we watch. This is why we have to be so careful of what we watch! Those few seconds of softcore porn in the movie you’re watching can EASILY influence and tempt you to get on the internet after the movie and lead you right into sin. And it is so easy to be lead right into it once that temptation is on your mind.
This is where what we watch and listen to can become sinful. One of my good friends said it best when he said that the purpose of our lives is to grow closer to God and bring others to Him. Therefore, ask yourself is the show you’re watching or song you’re listening to bringing you closer or farther from God. If it brings you farther, then it is sinful to continue watching or listening to it. It is very important in this gray area to allow the Holy Spirit to be your guide. Listen when you feel convicted for watching or listening to the movie or song and turn it off. Delete it. Because that is what the Holy Spirit is there for. To convict us and guide us through our lives.
I recently decided to examine myself and my sin in my life to determine what I can watch or listen to without it becoming sinful. I strongly encourage you to do the same. If it is cussing you have been struggling with, try to not listen to explicit music or watch rated r movies. These will only influence you to continue cussing instead of helping you get out of the habit. If you struggle with sexual sin then it is important to not listen to music with sexual references or watch movies or tv shows that have a lot of sexual references and actions in it. Knowing you struggle with a certain sin, but allowing yourself to continue listening or watching that same sin, is sin itself. Cut out the music and movies that take you farther from God and that tempt you into the sin you are desperately trying to stay away from.
God is more important than the song you love and the show you enjoy. Choose growing closer to God instead of choosing the things that are pulling you away from Him.
Kokonaomi
