Disagree with me if you want to, but I believe music is one of the most influential things we allow into our lives. Even on rare days when I don’t tune in to my local Christian music station or pop in a favorite CD on my way to work, the song I wake up to in the morning or what I hear playing at the grocery store always finds a way to get stuck in my head. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing depending on what kind of music is involved, but the fact of the matter is that our thoughts, and therefore our actions, are directly affected by what we spend time listening to.

“Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;”

-Ephesians 5:19

Now I’m not one of those people who think it’s sinful to listen to anything but Southern Gospel, but I do believe most Christians are far too liberal in their choices of music. I’ve seen too many friends who once lived respectable, Godly lives begin a terrible downward spiral by deciding to compromise in this single area. I know the simple fact that a song isn’t about God doesn’t make it sinful, but we must ask ourselves whether its lyrics and overall message are truly worthwhile and consider what kind of lasting effect it will have on us. Even if you stay away from profanity and punk rock, filling your mind with lies about life and love can be just as harmful in the long run. Can you honestly say what you listen to meets the criteria for Godly thought found in Philippians 4:8? If not, then it’s time to clean out your iPod.

At this point I’m sure I’ve already offended some of you, but know this is not my intent. I just believe we need to be aware of just how much influence music wields in our life and emotions, and yet too many people seem to think they can partake in the very things the world takes pleasure in without being negatively affected by any of it. Proverbs 6:27-28 lets us know that, when you play with fire, getting burned is unavoidable. It doesn’t matter how strong you are in Christ; it’s impossible to daily and willingly place yourself in the devil’s line of fire without getting hit. “But what’s wrong with this song or that band?” you say? Perhaps instead of asking “Is it wrong?” you should ask “Is it right?”. Comparing darkness to light provides better contrast.

“For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

                -Hebrews 12:3

We’ve all heard people say that what happens in your thought life is unimportant. Unfortunately, even some Christians have been tricked into believing the lie that sin is okay so long as you don’t let it go further than the confines of your imagination. It’s as if we’ve created an imaginary barrier between what we think and what we do, not realizing that our thoughts directly affect our actions and vice-versa. The truth of Scripture reveals to us, not that our hands and heart are at a disconnect, but that what we fill our mind with will ultimately affect every other aspect of our life when simply given the time (Prov. 23:7).

Imagine with me for a moment what it would look like if every thought you entertained throughout the course of a day was recorded in a book and put on display. Would you hold a book signing and give away free copies to all your friends? Probably not. Yet despite the embarrassment it would likely bring if our innermost thoughts were shared with the world, remember that the very God Who created us hears our thoughts just as clearly as He is able to hear our words (Matt 9:4). Every selfish ambition and secret lust resonates loudly in His ears, even if we’re blissfully unaware of how serious these transgressions truly are.

“Finally, brethren, 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.”

                -Philippians 4:8

Truth, honesty, justice, purity, and loveliness are the things Paul said should saturate our mind on a daily basis. What fills our head will also fill our heart, and so purifying your thought life is the first and most important step toward purity of the soul. Have you ever tried to break old, sinful habits without first praying for a clean heart and a right spirit (Ps. 51:10)? If so, then you know from firsthand experience that this is a futile attempt. To yield our mind to the enemy of our soul is to grant him the greatest foothold he could ever seek to gain, and is an advantage he will absolutely take advantage of (1 Pet. 5:8; Eph. 4:27).

Despite the overemphasis often placed on “positive thinking” by the world, the mind is the most crucial battleground any person will ever tread. If we subject ourselves to the discouragement of “being wearied and fainting in our minds”, then we have little hope of being the conqueror God has called each of us to be (Rom. 8:37). Win this battle and you’ll be well-equipped to win the war.