Pop charts and charting your course
Today marks day 114 of reading through the Bible this year. In Deuteronomy 12 and 13, God gives the Israelites instructions for when they enter the promised land.
God warns us to be careful and obey in chapter 12. Both chapters have hardcore warnings against following other religious customs in the new land.
‘You must not worship the Lord your God the way the other nations worship their gods, for they perform for their gods every detestable act that the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and daughters as sacrifices to their gods. ‘
Deuteronomy 12:31 https://www.bible.com/bible/116/DEU.12.31.NLT
“Suppose someone secretly entices you—even your brother, your son or daughter, your beloved wife, or your closest friend—and says, ‘Let us go worship other gods’—gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known. They might suggest that you worship the gods of peoples who live nearby or who come from the ends of the earth. But do not give in or listen. Have no pity, and do not spare or protect them. You must put them to death! Strike the first blow yourself, and then all the people must join in. Stone the guilty ones to death because they have tried to draw you away from the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of slavery. Then all Israel will hear about it and be afraid, and no one will act so wickedly again.
Deuteronomy 13:6-11
I think of our final destination, our promised land, heaven, and how the enemy wants to lead us astray. It’s not as blatant as someone saying, “Hey, let’s go worship other gods”. Our enemy wants to entice us down the wrong path secretly; it might be the latest, greatest series everybody is watching. It might be the latest and greatest pop song. The content might promote all sorts of behavior that God frowns on. When I was a kid, television and music weren’t nearly as disgusting as they are today. Shows and music weren’t always detestable; it’s been a gradual shift over the decades, slowly becoming more mainstream, more acceptable.
I wonder what will be “normal” in 50 years?
I don’t keep up with the latest trends, but Google says today’s #1 song on the pop charts is “drop dead – Olivia Rodrigo.” A quick skim of the lyrics reveals that the song promotes hook-up culture, misuses the Lord’s name, and mentions astrology.
I believe in the freedom of speech; I also believe we have the freedom to listen. And research has shown that music can negatively affect us. As Christians, we don’t stone people as they did in the Old Testament; we are called to love one another. But we are also told to separate ourselves. Separation isn’t about avoiding everyone; it’s about carefully choosing which influences we allow so we can stay focused on God.
‘Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. ‘
2 Corinthians 6:17
Charting your course
We have to remember our final destination and stay on the right path; we must be careful about what we watch and listen to. We have to pray for discernment and for the Holy Spirit to influence our thoughts, words, and actions, not the latest trends.