"Aristotle said music has the power to form character. The B-Minor Mass can be a link with the eternal. But while music can ennoble and inspire, it can also degrade." Thus wrote Kandy Stroud in the May 6, 1985 issue of Newsweek. Indeed, music forms a large part in man's experiences.

In the Bible, the harp and organ are mentioned in Genesis 4:21, in the earliest of man's history. Also, when Moses and the children of Israel sang their song of triumph after they crossed the Red Sea on dry land, and then looked back and saw all the pursuing Egyptians drowned on the seashore, Miriam answered with the playing of the musical instrument, the timbrel. See Exodus 15.

David was known as "the sweet psalmist of Israel" (2 Sam. 23:1). Most of the 150 Psalms are attributed to his authorship as inspired by the Holy Spirit, and he sang them to the accompaniment of the harp. These Psalms have been, and still are, sources of comfort and encouragement to the people of God, and they also express the feelings and experiences of souls. For instance, Psalm 40 tells us that those who are saved from "an horrible pit and miry clay" of sin can say, "He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God" (v. 3). What a decided change from the songs of this world!

In the days of King Jehoshaphat when Judah was faced with the multitude of enemies arrayed against them, they turned to the Lord, fell before Him and worshipped. In 2 Chronicles 20:22, we read: "And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab and Mt. Seir." Music figured in the victory the Lord gave them.

But music can also degrade. In the days of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar erected an image and brought his orchestra of many instruments to play at the dedication ceremony. When the music was heard, all were to bow to the image. It was plain and simple idolatry. Daniel's three friends refused to bow and were thrown bound into the fiery furnace. They refused the ungodly command and the sensual influence of the exciting music. God honored their stand by saving them out of the fire. Alas, music was used, however, in the mass degradation of the Babylonians.

The writer in Newsweek faithfully discloses and deplores the effect that "porn rock" music has on listeners today. Interwoven with the hard, pulsating beat of the music, she says, "Tasteless, graphic and gratuitously sexual songs saturate the airwaves and filter into our homes."

A "director of a drug program in Washington says one of the questions he asks his teenage patients is what kind of music they listen to, whether it's satanic, sexual or drug-oriented—it tells him something about the child's state of mind. In like manner," she continues, "he says parents have an obligation to be aware of their children's musical tastes, and if you take exception to the words, don't allow them to listen."

All of this comes from a magazine that does not confess to be Christian. Alas, how sad to know that "the majority of parents I've spoken to," continues the author, "have expressed partial or total ignorance of the music their children are dancing to, doing homework to, falling asleep to!"

I appeal to Christian parents and Christian young people to give careful attention to the music that is listened to. Be aware of the influence it can have on the soul. If it is that which degrades souls and dishonors Christ, as "porn rock" does, turn off the source, whether radio or television, break the records and burn the tapes. Be a "Gideon" who cut down the idol in his house and became an overcomer. Take up rather the songs of the redeemed. Surround yourself with Christ-honoring, soul-inspiring music which will cause a "making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19).