Is contemporary Christian music honoring to God?

what does the bible say?

Contemporary Christian music is neutral; it is something that can honor God, or it can be a distraction or not beneficial to the hearer. What is important is how the song seeks to honor God and how we respond to it. Each person must evaluate the music they listen to, so they can verify that it is rooted in truth, fueled by sincere worship, and oriented toward Christ. Each person must also discern how it impacts them—does it point them to Christ and help them grow? Still, a genre of music in and of itself is not automatically sinful or beneficial. God welcomes diverse expressions of praise as long as they exalt Him. From the Old Testament’s choirs, cymbals, and trumpets to the New Testament’s call to worship in spirit and truth, the Bible places its weight on authenticity, edification, and God-centered devotion. Music becomes holy not because it is old or new, traditional or modern, but because it leads us to love God more deeply, obey Him more fully, and unite His people. Contemporary Christian music can be a powerful tool that shapes our minds with truth, stirs our affection for Christ, and strengthens the worship of the church.

from the old testament

• Worship involved a wide range of musical expressions—voices, choirs, cymbals, trumpets, lyres, harps, and even dance (Psalm 150; 1 Chronicles 15:16).
• Some Christians pay close attention to the instruments that are used or that they can hear in worship services. However, there is no passage in the Bible that instructs what instruments to use in worship. Stringed, wind, and percussion instruments are mentioned in relationship with worship (Psalm 68:25; Ezra 3:10). There is no guidance and no prohibition on acceptable instruments. Style of music and instruments used should make no difference in whether or not a particular song or genre of song can be used to worship.
• God expressed far more concern about the heart of the worshiper than the specific form of the music (Psalm 51:17; Isaiah 29:13).
• Worship was meant to be joyful, reverent, and God-centered, not tied to one era or style: “sing to the LORD a new song” (Psalm 96:1, emphasis added).

from the new testament

• Worship is defined primarily by truth and the heart, not a musical genre: “worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23–24).
• Everything done in worship must edify the church and glorify Christ (1 Corinthians 14:26; 10:31).
• Paul wrote about music in the church: Address “one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:19–21).

implications for today

Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) is a broad category of modern music that expresses Christian themes, beliefs, or worship through current musical styles. It blends biblical truth with contemporary sounds, such as pop, rock, hip-hop, gospel, folk, indie, or worship music. Different styles and modes of worship have caused division among Christians in church and out of church for centuries. From hymns to modern worship anthems, from choirs to bands, each generation has expressed its devotion to God in unique ways. What matters most is not the era or style of the music, but the truth it communicates and the heart behind it. Music that honors God—whether old or new—should draw us to worship Him, shape our minds with what is true, and unite believers around the glory of God, rather than the preferences of people. What is important is the posture of our hearts, what the music exalts and expresses, and how it impacts us. Whether we listen to Christian music to help us worship God, to reflect on a reality in a godly way, or to point us to the truth, music is powerful. It connects different parts of our brain and body, it engages us in unique ways, it bridges gaps between different people, and more. The way we come before music matters. When our focus is on glorifying God, rather than defending our preferences, music can be a tool that strengthens our faith and deepens our devotion, rather than dividing us. Using discernment with music is also important. With any song, it is important to evaluate the content of the lyrics. Does the song glorify God—directly worship Him, invite Him, or tell others about His goodness, glory, and holiness? Is it biblically and theologically accurate? The impact the song has on us is also important. Does it stir our affection for Christ, lead us toward obedience, and shape our thoughts in ways that honor God? Or does it distract us, glorify self, or subtly lead us away from truth? The music we choose should draw us closer to the heart of God, deepen our love for His Word, and cultivate a life that reflects His character. Many worship leaders try to gauge both the preferences of their current congregation and the supposed preferences of the community they are trying to reach when choosing music for worship. Which is more important? As long as the music glorifies God and builds up those in the congregation toward worship and unity, we think it is up to the local church leaders. Some leaders mix up styles within the same service. Some churches try to stay as contemporary as possible in their style of music—a difficult task given the wide variety of music today. Some try to stick with the tried-and-true hymns of old, forgetting that every hymn and style was new at some point. Ultimately what matters is worshiping and glorifying God, regardless of the style of music.

Recap

understand

• The Bible does not prescribe a specific musical style.
• God cares about the heart, truth, and sincerity of worship more than instruments or genre.
• Contemporary Christian music is morally neutral—it can honor God or distract from Him depending on its lyrics, purpose, and impact on the listener.

reflect

• How do you determine and evaluate the music you listen to?
• How do the songs you listen to shape your thoughts, emotions, and focus on God?
• How intentional are you about evaluating the lyrics and message of the music you allow into your life?

engage

• How might personal preferences in music create unnecessary division among believers, and how can we address that?
• How can we discern whether the music we use in worship truly glorifies God and edifies the church?
• How can contemporary Christian music be used alongside traditional hymns to strengthen unity and focus on Christ in worship?