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Original Chinese article published in the 世界日報 (World journal) newspaper on 14 and 21 May, 2006
The Devil has entered into the church
About Christian rock music and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM)
In the years 80’ Chinese Christian churches began to abandon their traditional sacred music to adopt Contemporary Christian Music, and even rock music, with the lamentable excuse to attract young people to come into the church and believe in Jesus. It seems that the churches are longing to please young people rather than please God. The church must be the holy place to serve the holy God. Even more, the evangelists and leaders must transmit the pure sacred music to believers and young people; yet they unconsciously yield the most abominable and ugliest contemporary and rock music seep deeply into the temple of God, and even believe that deafening noise can lead to a worshiping heart. In consequence, the true triune God leaves the church, while the devil comes into the temple dancing and jumping, and find pleasure in it. A good piece of sacred music must be written under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, with graceful melody, beautiful harmony and fine counterpoint. It must not be like the annoying lyrics of contemporary Christian music that are repeated again and again. In Acts 16:16-18 we read:
And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, “These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation”. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.
The demon possessed woman said “These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation”. What she was yelling was absolutely correct, but the manner of yelling this sentence again and again, like the lyrics of rock music, is from the Devil. Since rock music comes from the Devil, even if the words are correct, the church must not use it. The following points show how the Devil has entered into the church:
1: Are traditional hymns annoying?
Number 11:4-6 And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.
The Israelites were longing for the worthless things of Egypt. Preferring slavery, they did not appreciate God’s salvation. Now there is the same problem with Christian rock music, church members feel traditional service boring, they long for the worthless things of the world, even use any excuse to keep these worthless things in the church. We can see that the Devil has easily taken the place of worship.
2: New creature in Christ
1 Peter 4:3-4 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:
Once you become a born again Christian, your unsaved friends feel strange that you do not walk in lasciviousness with them. If you are addicted with Christian rock music, you have a common point with them: sin.
3: There is no way rock music can become pure sacred music
Job 14-4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
Rock music comes from native Africans who used those rhythms to invoke demonic ghosts. Its characteristic is a repeated rhythms pattern, which make people unconsciously rolling.
4: Does God like deafening music?
Psalm 33:1-3 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skillfully with a loud noise.
“With a loud noise” does not mean like the noise of a 747 aircraft engine or the sound level of a 120 db electric guitar.
5: Damaging the temple of the Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Rock music causes deafness; this is damaging the temple of the Holy Spirit.
6: Use worldly methods to spread the gospel
Rock music addicted Christian likes to quote 1 Corinthians 9:22 to defend the use of worldly methods to save the world
1 Corinthians 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
This verse does not say we can use sinful and worldly methods for spreading the gospel. Roman 3:7-8 says that it is impossible to use sinful method to glorify God.
Romains 3:7-8 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
7: Using rock music to attract youths
Luke 10:10-11 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. Acts 13:51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
There are limits to evangelization. When people did not receive the disciples, they left that city and shook off the dust of their feet against them. The disciples had not washed down the gospel in order to make it easily acceptable. Now rock music addicted Christians use worldly methods to attract youths, using the beat as bait, to catch them into an entertaining church. Their gospel is “you can go to heaven while you are enjoying church entertainment. “ They say, “Just believe in Jesus and you are saved.” They don’t speak about repentance. The Devil also believe Jesus is the Son of God and can also quote a lot Bible verses, but he will be thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone (Revelation 20:10).
8: Does “Christian” contemporary music make people feeling good?
Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.
Most of Christians are so longing for good feeling that they have forgotten the fear of God. They only like a “love” gospel, but don’t accept a “love and fear God” gospel. But God’s salvation is not unconditional, God wants a broken and contrite heart. “Christian” rock music and Christian contemporary music, like movie music, is based on sensuality. Jesus has become a star, a lover, and a man made idol; there are no more holiness, no more conviction of sin, no more real repentance, there are no more holy things left. Realizing these points, there is no doubt the Devil has entered into the church, and has taken control of it. In his Chinese book “Ministry of life” page 86, Philip Teng wrote:
“In our days, God’s revelation has been replaced by a man made doctrine, humanism has seep into theology. Even more, evangelical church is centered on a lot of human factors, for instance, man-centered worship (entertainment worship) more than on God worship; man centered sermons (believe in Jesus to obtain joy, satisfaction and peace, without mentioning repentance toward God); fellowship programs based on man’s interests, etc. Today in the Christian community, high educated young theological leaders must be aware of keeping Biblical faith without deviating and without any compromise!”
Therefore, according to the Bible, what are God’s requirements for us? In Philippians 4:8, we read:
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.
If we do all things in conformity with the above verse, God will certainly bless us.
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