If I sing a song to worship my Savior, does it matter who wrote it?
If I hear a message preached and my heart is moved by the Holy Spirit, does it matter who’s preaching?
If I watch a show that draws me closer to Jesus, does it matter who created the show?
I’ve heard so many negative comments lately related to the entertainment industry and Christianity.
So many people are not only warning against listening to certain music or watching certain shows, but they are listing every sin that the creators have committed as reasons against doing so.
And I understand that we should seek Godly council; People who follow Christ and spend time in His word, and set a good example.
But the way people are tearing down certain musicians and shows reminds me a lot of the Pharisees.
Jesus spent most of His time not calling out sinners, but calling out the Pharisees. Those who cared more about looking the part, than having a relationship with Him.
They loved the rules more than they loved Jesus.
The Pharisees came to Jesus and asked him why his disciples weren’t following the tradition of washing before they ate and Jesus answered them like this, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: “ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’” Mark 7:6-7
We get caught up in someone’s past and think they are unworthy to write a song, speak a message, or do something else that might draw someone closer to God.
But what if we applied that to David? Or Solomon? Or Paul?
Listen: God can use ANYONE.
We all sin.
If you only listen to music, watch shows, and hear messages from sinless people, you won’t be listening to any music, watching any shows, or hearing any messages.
I encourage you if you are usually tearing down someone who is bringing others closer to Christ regardless of if you think they’re worthy, please reevaluate if you should.
The disciples saw someone driving out demons in Jesus’ name and they told them to stop because that person didn’t follow Jesus.
But Jesus told them, “Do not stop him. For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us.” Mark 9:39, 40
I need to focus on my relationship with Christ.
I am going to do things that draw me closer to Him.
Each of us need to do the same.
And if we’re all letting the Holy Spirit guide us, He won’t lead us down the wrong path.
