Rock Music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that originated as “rock and roll” in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s, developing into a range of different styles in the mid-1960s and later. It is a blend of black rhythm-and-blues with white country-and-western. Rock music is based around amplified instruments, especially the electric guitar and electric bass, and is characterized by a strong bass line and driving rhythms.
Satanic Music
The reason this type of music has had a history of being termed “satanic” is because many rock or metal bands are in fact public about worshiping Satan. Many of their practices during performances are satanic in nature, such as wearing or having displays of the devil or satanic symbols (pentagrams, upside down crosses, 666, goat heads, etc.), openly cursing God and Jesus, and even performing satanic rituals such as spraying animal blood and praying to Satan. In addition, certain band’s song lyrics openly worship Satan. These are clear indicators that the goal of their music is to influence the listener towards Satan.
While not all rock and metal bands are openly satanic, the lifestyle and/or lyrics of many band performers are often not in harmony with the Scriptures. Their lyrics as well as their rhythm often promote rebellion, sexual immorality, anger, hate, rebellion, suicide or depression.
Even without lyrics, rock music rhythms have power to debase a person’s feelings, desires, and thoughts. So, unholy music should be shunned. And instead we should glorify God with uplifting angelic music. The Bible says, “whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). God has provided His people with plenty of holy melodies that inspire, refresh, elevate, and strengthen the Christian experience (Psalms 9:2). So, Christians who desire to be close to God have to be careful of what they allow in their ears and eyes (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Is Rock Music OK for Church?
Many types of secular music (rock, country, pop, rap, heavy metal and dance music) have been largely taken by Satan and, sadly, have crept into the Christian circles. The Bible says, “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing” (Psalm 100:2). The LORD gave us music to enjoy and to build us up spiritually. “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him” (Psalm 40:3).
God is a holy God (Revelation 15:4; 1 Samuel 2:2). Therefore, Christian worship music should be holy and pure (Ephesians 1:4). To be holy is to reflect the divine image (1 Peter 1:16). The purpose of the plan of salvation is to restore the divine image in man (Genesis 1:26,27).
To the Christian, God says, “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11). Jesus says, “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit….Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:18,20). Therefore, we should ask the question: What kind of fruit does rock music produce? The fruits are clear. Rock music has been a tool through which Satan promoted sinful acts.
Church music should have holy rhythms and pure lyrics. Words can and should, express spiritual truth. Colossians 4:6 says that all our conversations should be “full of grace, seasoned with salt.” Ephesians 4:29 says our words should be edifying—they should build others up. Bible-based lyrics help us meditate on God’s Law (Psalm 119:48); dwell on what is true, honorable, and lovely (Philippians 4:8); and pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
