Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. I Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)

This verse tells us that everything we do should glorify God. Along those lines, I want to talk about selecting the best music to listen to. We can test music against certain standards to know if we should or shouldn’t be listening to it. Life is too short to waste time doing things that will not build us up spiritually and glorify the Lord, including the music we listen to. It is my belief that music is intended to worship God and bring Him glory.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:17 (KJV)

When listening to music (or anything we do for that matter), we can ask ourselves the following questions to verify whether it is something we should hear.

• Will hearing this music and lyrics help me glorify God?

• Does this honor the Lord?

• Can God bless what I am listening to?

• Would God Himself listen to this?

• Is this song being sung in heaven?

• Do the lyrics agree with the Word of God?

• Is it lifting up Jesus and His works?

• Is it drawing me closer to God or is it doing the opposite? Will it make me more Christlike?

Even the person who’s singing it is something we need to consider. If the artist is not a believer, they are not carrying the Spirit of God. Instead, they are associated with ungodly spirits, which can be transmitted through music. Whether you know it or not, listening to music with ungodly influence can actually open the door to the enemy and give him access to your life. Obviously, none of us wants that.

Philippians 4:8 is an excellent test for the suitability of music and any other activity.

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 (KJV)

If a song does not pass the questions noted above, and if it doesn’t line up with Philippians 4:8, why listen to it? I like to say, “The Jesus music is for me, that’s the only kind I listen to.” There’s plenty of good Christian music available in any musical style, so there’s really no excuse.

Choose this day whom you will serve (Joshua 24:15). I encourage you to choose music that glorifies Jesus and makes you love Him more and more.