What you take in determines how you feel

Biologically speaking, our body is nothing more than a transformation of the food we eat, drinks we take and the air we breathe. Without  going into details about these processes though - because it ain’t the point of this topic- our overall feeling depends in more than 80% to the combinations of these three, because other factors such as beliefs, sport activities and how we are treated  by our peers and family  may play a part in how we feel.

Now, if we look at it from a spiritual perspective, the same principle applies as I will explain below.

A major aspect of human life (like other living things) is to respond to our sourounding. This comprises what we touch, smell, see, taste and hear. For instance a noisy bomb explosion is likely to disturb more a young 5 year old than an adult soldier trained (conditioned) to respond to that kind of things. It is also true that while it make cause a hike of adrenaline in the soldier’s body, it may cause a fatal panic attack in the 5 year old. If you look at it in perspective, many Christians today are exposing themselves  to the poison of “any kind of music”. In other words, some think you can listen to Gospel music and heavy metal at the same time and still be fine!

To set the record straight, let me say that’s not a good idea. In itself it sounds very innocent but one has to look at it from an analytical point of view. Every song written on the face of the earth has a meaning or a story behind unless one sung it completely unconsious, which I highly doubt is possible. Therefore, when we listen to something, are exposing our ears to the story  of the song writter. In Proverbs 4:23 te Bible is clear and warns us about matters  of the heart  “Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it.” You may not give it so much thought, but think again. The Bible also tells us “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). In other words, what we hear determine what we believe, and what we believe determine how we feel. So, if we hear the Word of Christ we harvest Faith. The opposite is also true. Therefore, the kind of music we listen to determines what we harvest i.e Faith or “Unbelief”. Since we can’t serve two masters, mixing Godly music with  “other stuff” is definetely a bad  idea!

The Christian walk is a fight. It’s all by Grace as the Bible puts it, but should we let ourselves go for grace to abound? Now, how does  one fight a battle at the same time “sympathizing” with the ennemy? How does Praise Music lifting up the name of the Lord cohabit with Hip hop/Rap/… junk imploring our young ones to sin and not care about anybody? From my experience, most of the music out there is based on selfish enterpratation of life. It focuses on I, me and myself.  Gospel music on the other hand, implores us to consider others before ourselves because this comes automatically by Giving  God His due place in our lives.

In conclusion, I would simply  say “Give to Caesar what’s his and to God His  glory alone because you can’t serve two masters”. What you take in determines how you feel and I would be surprised to hear someone filled with the HolY Spirit in a night  club  or  dancing to some “worldly music”. And if you hear of one, please share the news with me!