God's design for Music

Scripture says,  “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” (I Cor. 10:31)  “Whatsoever” certainly includes the subject of music.  What, then, would be music that is good and acceptable according to the design that God communicated in His Word, the Bible?

1. God’s design for music would be that which promotes Scripture and spiritual thinking.  (Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs...")

a. This means it is True. (Philippians 4:8 "...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.")

b. This means it is doctrinally sound. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect...")

2. Not only would God’s design in music lead us to think Biblically, it would also not suggest evil in word or musicalarrangement. (See also Philippians 4:8)

3. God’s design for music would be that which helps us to honor God with our bodies. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.")

NOTE: "temple" is the Greek word, naos, which refers to the innermost portion of the tabernacle, the "holy of holies.")

4. God’s design for music would be that which helps us to keep a balance between "spirit" and "understanding." (1 Corinthians 14:15 "What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.")

5. God’s design for music would be that which has words which promote worship of a holy God. (John 4:23, 24 "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.")

6. God’s design for music would be free from mental association with the world system of lust and pride. (Romans 12:2 "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. 1 John 2:15 "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.")

7. God’s design for music is that which expresses peace and joy, or the seriousness of the Gospel message, as opposed to the clamour and confusion of the world. (John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.")

8. God’s design in music should evidence a structure of harmony and order. (1 Corinthians 14:40 "Let all things be done decently and in order.")

9. God’s design for music promotes and accompanies a lifestyle of godliness. (Titus 2:12 "Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.")

10. God’s design for music is that which does not remind new or weak believers of their old life. (Romans 14:13 "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way. Romans 15:2 "Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.")