Shopping is not my thing. And yesterday’s experience in the K-Mart added to my growing dislike of what for many is a costly hobby. But this is more than a personal issue, all Christians (especially parents) who pursue holy living should consider this.

Attention, attention

Here in some of the bigger stores in Australia, from time to time they send a warning over their speakers. A kind and warm voice warns the kids and parents for the danger for kids falling out of the trolley. They advice to strap them down and pay close attention.

Nothing wrong with this. But then the audio clip ends and something else comes out of the speakers again. Music.

Listen up kids

Immediately after the warning announcement, the song that got interrupted continued playing. And I heard some of the lyrics, like “I want you tonight”, “I need you tonight”. This song was about the boy artist wanting to have sex.

Think about this. The trolley warning addressed not only the parents, but the kids too. In other words, they assume that kids hear and listen. So, what about the next sentences after the warning that came out of the speaker that have a fun, catchy rhythm to it? Have the kids all of a sudden lost their ability to hear spoken words?

Upbuilding or destructive to holy living

Part of the reason why I don’t like to go shopping, is because of all the music playing everywhere. Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t have anything against music. It can be very healing and uplifting. But I hope that you already know that not all music has that effect…

As I was writing this blog post, I tried to look up the song I mentioned. It is just absolutely crazy how many of the popular songs today are about sex, immorality, sin and all kinds of unholy things! This is not just a K-Mart thing.

They don’t promote holy, Biblical living. And now we are only talking about the lyrics… not to mention the effects of the music styles or music video’s that add a whole new depth to this.

The spiritual danger

Writing this blog post risks me being seen as “that extreme Christian”. I know, I know. As a matter of fact, only a few years ago I would have labeled this blog post as extreme myself. But no matter what label we put on, we cannot escape the fact that it is true. Having been blind (or rather ‘deaf’) to it myself, I now feel a burden to share it with you.

Our spiritual walks are affected by what we let into our brain. When we continually listen to unholy messages, it influences us. In a time where I listened to a lot of rap and hip hop, I began calling my mom names that are not appropriate to write here. My own mother!

What I am saying is not a new science, or an extreme Christian’s view. Why do you think advertising agencies lay down millions of dollars for a 30 second commercial during the Superbowl break? Because they know it works. When they get into your head, they have an influencing power in your life. And this is what we often voluntarily expose ourselves and our kids to.

The road to peace

Though we cannot avoid all the negative influences, it is well worth the effort reducing and replacing it as much as possible. I can testify that there are incredible blessings, even those you have not yet thought about, when being pro-active in this. I asked myself, “is this that I am surrounding myself with, helping me towards holy living?”

Before I listened to all kinds of music, but when I learned more about the effects of what I allow into my mind, I made some changes. It really had a positive impact on my life. I became a lot calmer, less stressed and on the edge. My vocabulary improved and became a lot more sensitive to the Holy Spirit. My faith grew!

Not only did these changes benefit me, but my whole family. My son for example is a very calm and peaceable child. And I am sure that a lot has to do with the fact that certain music does not get into our household.

Live God’s Word Today -application

Falling out of the trolley has it’s risks, but it is nothing compared to the risks we take when exposing ourselves or our kids to the wrong influences. For us to mature and move forward towards holy living, we need to surround ourselves with holy influences, and listen to the right things.

“So then faith comes by hearing , and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17

Are you willing to take a step in distancing yourself from spiritually destructive influences?