The Genuine Power of Music

What song has been stuck in your head lately? For me, it’s the Andy Griffith theme song. My son is into the show lately, and I find myself whistling it without warning.

What song did you dance to during that special moment in your past? I’ll bet you know just the one I’m talking about. I’ll bet you turn it up every time it comes on the radio.

And what song do you turn on extra loud when you need to get your head on straight and get pumped up for your big event? (Let me guess—Eye of the Tiger?)

I’m sure you see my point by now…music is more than something we just turn on in the background occasionally. For most of us, music has genuine power. It has the ability to influence our thoughts, emotions, and even spirit in just an instant.

Did you know music is referenced in the Bible HUNDREDS of times? It’s true. Music is often a big part of a centered, Godly life.

In this day and age, we encounter darkness every direction we turn. Whether it’s in our schools, next door, places of authority, or overseas, there’s no denying that satan is on the move in big new ways. Of course, Ecclesiastes 1:9 reminds us that “there’s nothing new under the sun,” so none of this is a surprise to God, overwhelming though life may seem sometimes. But what are we supposed to do in the face of such darkness?

Thankfully, God has given us effective coping mechanisms while we do our best to live well our time on earth while also craving the spiritual perfection of heaven. Besides spending time with God and others who love God, music is a powerful strategy that can point our eyes toward Jesus while also uplifting our very souls.

Of course, like anything good, humans have found ways to corrupt God’s good gift of music, so being selective in our music choices is key. While clean mainstream music can also be uplifting, when we’re feeling discouraged, fearful, or distant from God, it’s helpful to reach for something a little more substantial.

I don’t know about you, but turning on the local Christian station or finding a good praise CD or playlist can make all the difference in my day.

As a mom to three awesome kids, a goal of mine has been to pour encouraging, Godly music into their lives and brains. Why? Because when hard times come, as they have and will continue to do, those songs will be seared on their very souls.

The Holy Spirit loves to bring to the surface songs that are tucked away in my mind to encourage me in hard times, and I want that for my kids as well. In this way, we can be encouraged by God’s truths even if we’re stuck somewhere without batteries or power, when we’re sitting beside the hospital bed of a loved one, or when we’re falling asleep in the stillness of night.

Memorizing Scripture is a wonderful practice that I highly recommend, but to be honest…I’m not very good at it. Memorizing songs, however, is often effortless. And if I find songs that contain direct verses, even better! Once a song has a place in our brains, it rarely leaves, which is why it’s our job to make sure we consume music that is full of light. It’s our job to encourage our children to consume music that is full of light.

Music becomes a part of us and can even direct the desires of our hearts. Music is a more powerful gift from above than most people give it credit for. So go ahead and flip that radio on if it’s been awhile. Fill your home and your heart with praise and see what a difference it can make.

Lauren Daigle, Bethel Music, and Toby Mac are some of my personal go-tos when I need a musical spiritual boost. Who are some of yours?

8 thoughts on “The Genuine Power of Music

  1. This subject is so close to my heart! All I can say is YES YES YES! Thanks so much for writing about it, Jessie!

    I haven’t done the research, but I have to assume that visuals act the same on our brains so the same would apply to what we allow ourselves to watch. Pretty powerful combination (either way) when music and visuals are combined!

    How exciting that we have the power to affect our own lives and spirits in a positive way by our music choices. GREAT post.

    Curious – have you explained this approach to your children or are you just playing the music and letting it happen for now? 🙂 Thanks again!

    1. Thanks, SJ! We do make a point to occasionally mention to our kids the importance of the music we choose to listen to, but we didn’t so much when they were younger. And good point about the importance of the things we watch too – totally agree. 🙂

  2. Jessie thank you for this wonderful reminder of putting good and Godly food into our brains and memory. I can remember words of songs from when I was 5 years old and not always what I ate for breakfast this morning 😜. I listen to playlists I have made for different moods but my ultimate go to is my Christian worship playlist

    1. Thanks, Connie! And I’m the same way. My short-term memory is sometimes laughable, but there are songs tucked away in there that will hopefully never leave. 🙂

  3. Great article!! I can’t find the words to describe my close relationship with music, but you are definitely correct that most people don’t realize what a powerful gift from God it is!
    For myself right now for a spiritual boost, I’ve been listening to Crowder’s Milk & Honey album a lot.
    Side note – the best ever for kids are GT & the Halo Express and Psalty the Songbook. I still remember those verses and songs word for word almost 35 years later!

    1. Thanks, EKT! 🙂 I always love Crowder on the radio, but have never thought to seek out his albums…I’ll have to check that one out! I’m so thankful for the powerful gift of music, and I agree about GT and the Halo Express. Those songs/verses are forever buried in my mind and often come out when most needed – I’m so grateful!

  4. What a great article. Pop music, hymns, worship songs, classical – they all have a place and exert their influence. I agree about scripture memorization vs. memorizing lyrics. Not to minimize memorization of scripture, but it’s so much easier with music – that’s why I love hymns based on scripture. Like Connie mentioned, remembering songs from childhood is so much easier than remembering where I put my keys. I don’t actually understand at all how composers are still able to come up with new melodies – you’d think they would all have been taken by now, lol.

    1. Thanks, CJ! I totally agree with everything you said. I have also wondered how on earth musicians are still able to come up with new melodies! Seems impossible. 🙂

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