Witness No. 30 --------------- A Twenty-Year-Old Student From Texas "I have been struggling with a moral failure. After a time of defeat, I noticed that these devastating failures were coming after or during listening to 'soft rock' or 'Christian rock' music. My family attended a Basic Seminar in Dallas. During one of those revealing sessions, the principles of music were clearly explained. It all fit my life. I now realize that I had seared my conscience in the area of music. The destructive rhythms bring a sensual awakening inside of me and this leads to a lessening of inhibitions. As soon as we arrived home from that first Seminar, we cleansed our home by burning all the rock tapes (including 'Christian rock'), along with other things. Since asking for God's forgiveness and healing, becoming accountable to my parents, and removing these evil influences, I have experienced amazing victory and freedom! However, I still feel the danger in 'Christian rock' and its pull on my spirit. I wish every person would take this matter seriously because so much damage has been done to me. Consequences and scars remain that would have never happened if only I had been more alert to the dangers." Witness No. 31 --------------- A Twenty-Three-Year-Old Student From Wisconsin "I personally don't like 'Christian rock,' but at the cafe where I work as a waitress, they have been playing it. Since I have been working there I have had no desire to pray or read the Bible or to even get to know the Lord. I believe that since I have been listening to 'Christian rock' it has subconsciously affected my spiritual growth. I have been on vacation for a week now and I have found that I desire to read my Bible and to pray since I have been away from 'Christian rock.'" Witness No. 32 --------------- A Twenty-One-Year-Old Student From Washington "I have listened to rock music since I was a baby. It has had a definite bad impression on me. It makes me feel rebellious and I just have weird feelings when I play it. To me, 'Christian rock' is no different than regular rock. It still gives me those wrong feelings. I have gone to rock seminars and they say that rock is wrong but 'Christian rock' is OK. Well, I was sick of the way my life was going so I gave it all up and now I have such freedom!! I am so glad to be free! I would encourage anyone to purpose in their heart not to listen to it. Listen only to things that edify' Witness No. 33 --------------- A Sixteen-Year-Old Student From Kansas "A couple of years ago while I was listening to rock music behind my parents' backs I became very suicidal. I could not figure out why, but I really reacted to the idea that my music might have something to do with it. It was only after confessing what I was doing to God and to my parents and then cutting off all rock music that I lost the desire to kill myself. God was very gracious to me and He saved me from that awful destructive music. I thank Him daily for that deliverance. Witness No. 34 --------------- A Seventeen-Year-Old Student From Texas "I would like to share a little testimony concerning my experience with 'Christian rock' music. I had listened to this music with my friends and at church social functions for several years before I got my own tape, recorded by a famous artist. Buying that tape was the biggest mistake of my life. Under its influence, my moral convictions began to dissolve and I allowed myself to become involved in a relationship with a boy from my church, against my parents' wishes. When we were together we listened to 'Christian ' and 'soft rock' music. It was all sensuous and destroyed my inhibitions. I am so ashamed of what happened. The music made me rebellious and pulled me away from my family. I thank God that I can say today that I have not listened to this harmful music for several months now and I feel a freedom I had not experienced before. Witness No. 35 --------------- A Fifteen-Year-Old Student From Ohio "In the past, rock 'n roll music has been so detrimental to my spiritual growth that I feel privileged to share this, especially if it could keep others from being subjected to this type of music. This includes 'contemporary Christian music.' Most people do not realize what a hold this music can have on you until you try to take it out of your life. When I got into secular rock music I was bombarded by many sensual thoughts. Those that think that 'Christian rock' is OK because of the words are wrong. When I listen to that type of 'Christian' music, I have the same reaction. I cannot listen to any type of this music because when I do, I can no longer worship God or grow in Him." Witness No. 36 --------------- A Seventeen-Year-Old Student from Georgia "This week I have totally dedicated my life to God and now trust Him in every single area of my life. Until I made this commitment I never realized how much harm 'Christian rock' music could do. Especially in one tape I bought about a month ago. As I look back I notice that since I have purchased that tape I have not had much of a prayer life or a desire to read my Bible. When I get home I am committed to getting rid of that tape and all the others. I want so much to be a Godly example and to encourage others in their relationship with God." Witness No. 37 --------------- A Seventeen-Year-Old Student From Ohio "I need to give you my testimony on 'Christian rock' music. I am in a church where 'Christian rock' has come to be accepted and where we now have dances for the Senior High Youth Group. At first, my listening was reluctant and I didn't like the metallic, hard sound, but I grew numb to it the more I listened. Even one of my friends told me it wouldn't sound so bad after I listened to it enough! That is blunt for you! My dad REALLY didn't like this music and even told me that I needed to get rid of it. This was very hard. You know, this contemporary music is addictive. Many people can witness to this. Try taking rock away from one who's used to it and they go through withdrawal! I certainly did! But when I purposed to remain under my father's authority, I threw the tapes away and you wouldn't believe the freedom I felt! It was like a heavy burden was lifted off my shoulders! I'm telling you, I never even knew I was in bondage! I prayed that God would resensitize my spirit to discern the spirit of music. It did take a while but I'm a witness now of how rock music desensitizes a spirit. I'm free now, PRAISE THE LORD!!" Witness No. 38 --------------- A Sixteen-Year-Old Student From Florida "'Christian rock' music has probably been the biggest hindrance to my spiritual growth. When I first heard this kind of music, it really bothered my spirit. But then this music was brought into my church. The more I heard it, the less it bothered me. The less it bothered me, the more I listened to it. It wasn't long before I was involved in secular rock music because I didn't see any difference. This music caused me to resist the Lord and hold parts of my life back from Him. I was not able to have a freedom to truly serve Him and be totally dedicated to Him until I was willing to give up this music." Witness No. 39 --------------- A Sixteen-Year-Old Student From Missouri "On September 2, 1989, I went to a 'Christian rock' concert. While I was there, I danced, screamed, and sang in ways that were displeasing to God. I have many contemporary Christian music tapes, and I find when I listen to them that I get a rebellious spirit. I am so ashamed of the things that I did while under the influence of this music. I PLEAD with you to rid yourself of this bad influence." Witness No. 40 --------------- A Fifteen-Year-Old Student From Oklahoma "When I was not following the Lord I was angry because of the compromise Christians were making in the matter of 'Christian rock' music. Personally, I cannot tell the difference between 'rock' and 'Christian rock.' Since I rededicated my life to the Lord and quit listening to both types of music, I have had a wonder freedom in my thought life." Witness No. 41 --------------- A Fifteen-Year-Old Student From California "'Christian rock' has always been a source of battle within me. I could never go anywhere without rock music haunting me. I could not be comfortable anywhere. The music brought so much tension and lack of inner peace that I ended up in total depression, which was completely removed by taking rock and contemporary music out of my life" Witness No. 42 --------------- A Sixteen-Year-Old Student From Indiana "I began listening to rock music on the bus to public school. I went to Christian friends' homes, and they would have their rock tapes and radios on constantly. I began to grow numb to the sound and the words and became comfortable listening to it. Finally I became interested in hearing what the singers were really saying. I was going through a really depressing and rebellious time by now, so I would fill my boredom and emotional times by secretly listening to 'rock.' I mean, everyone else did. My parents even gave me a dual cassette stereo system for memorizing Matthew 5-7. However, many of the tapes I ignorantly played caused sensual problems for me. A couple of months later when I got my life in tune with the Lord, I was convicted about my music. So one night I came home from church and took out the tapes I was recording off the radio and strung them out all over my bedroom floor and then took them out to the trash and pitched them. I was so released, I broke down and cried. Praise the Lord" Witness No. 43 --------------- A Nineteen-Year-Old Student From California "I began listening to 'Christian rock,' and shortly thereafter I began a fast, steady pace downhill. This eventually led me into a totally backslidden state. I know that my own rebellion was the cause of my fall. However, 'Christian rock' entered into my life at a very crucial point and added fuel to the fire. I remember the specific day and the song I listened to first. I remember feeling rebellious - like I was going against what is considered acceptable by the standards of Godly people. Within weeks, maybe months, a very apparent breakdown of my conscience, morality, and appearance was evident. As I stated before, within two years I had completely fallen away from the Lord. Today I am serving the Lord, yet I still have a tremendously difficult time resisting the temptation of listening to the music of my past - Christian or secular. When I hear this music it causes me to reminisce fondly of my past, and I completely forget the darkness I was delivered from. This dismisses the love, forgiveness, and power of my Lord in my life. I appeal to Church leaders today....I plead with you to purge your churches, youth groups, and homes of rock and roll. Without going into further detail of my own life, it is my hope that the sins of my past can be used as a testimony for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that the devastating results of rock music will be realized in the Church before it steals anymore of the souls of our youth." Witness No. 44 --------------- "Our youth group has had a problem of not growing spiritually for a long time now. This problem did not come from outward influences, but inward moral decay. A big factor in this was the rock music the kids were listening to outside of the church. Unfortunately, I was one of those kids. I can personally testify that rock music is not what it seems to be. Once you start listening to it, you accept it, not only the music itself, but also the words. You become numb to worse and worse lyrics, and you can't break out of the addiction. Pretty soon, I was accepting totally opposite lyrics to what I was supposed to be standing for. I didn't realize that a big problem in my spiritual life came from my addiction to rock music. It was as if I had a big wall between me and God, and it was because I was living a hypocritical life. I was accepting the awful standards that rock music presented, but I was telling everybody else I was a Christian. I was lying through my teeth. The only way I can say this now is that through the grace of God, I was able to see what was happening. I have now given this area of my life to God and now I feel a freedom I never had before. God is so good!" THE WITNESS OF SCRIPTURE ======================== In the early church some Christians thought nothing about buying meat that had been offered to idols. Paul acknowledged that there was nothing wrong with the meat. 1 Corinthians 8 6 But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we by him. 7. Howbeit [there is] not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat [it] as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; However, because eating the meat sacrificed to idols would cause a brother to be offended or weakened, the unanimous command of the New Testament is to reject such meat. Acts 15:29 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. Romans 14:15 15 But if thy brother be grieved with [thy] meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. 1 Corinthians 8:13 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. Revelation 2:14 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. Revelation 2:20 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. If these appeals applied to meat, how much more do they apply to "Christian rock" music? Witness No. 45 --------------- Romans 14:13 13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in [his] brother's way. Romans 14:21 21 [It is] good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor [any thing] whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Witness No. 46 --------------- 1 Corinthians 8:11 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Witness No. 47 --------------- Matthew 18:6 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and [that] he were drowned in the depth of the sea. THE WITNESS OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION ================================================ The American Medical Association, through recent studies, has confirmed the relationship between rock music and drugs, immorality, rebellion, and the occult. Its findings were reported in a September 15, 1989, article in the Chicago Sun Times. The following information is from that article. Witness No. 48 --------------- AMA LINKS DRUGS, IMMORALITY, AND ROCK 'n ROLL "'Doctors should be alert to the listening habits of young patients as a clue to their emotional health, because fascination with rock 'n roll, especially heavy metal music, may be associated with drug use, premarital sex and satanic rites,' a committee of the American Medical Association said. "'At the very least, commitment to a rock subculture is symptomatic of adolescent alienation,' the AMA's Group on Science and Technology said in its report, 'Adolescents and Their Music,'' published by the Journal of the American Medical Association. The AMA committee reported that 'the average teenager listens to 10,3400 hours of rock music during the years between the 7th and 12th grades, and music surpasses television as an influence in teenagers' lives. While TV viewing often is supervised by parents, music largely is uncensored,' the committee said. 'As an important agent of adolescent socialization, however, the negative messages of rock music should not be dismissed,' the committee said. The committee cited '...evidence linking involvement in rock culture with low school achievement, drugs, sexual activity and even satanic activities.' "The committee expressed special concern about two relatively recent developments in rock music - heavy metal rock and music videos. 'The violent and sexual content of the video images are disturbing to many,' the committee said. '...A study found that 7th and 10th graders, after watching one hour of music videos, were more likely to approve of premarital sex than were a control group of adolescents,' THE EVIDENCE OF THESE WITNESSES DEMANDS A VERDICT ================================================= The similarities between the MONEY CHANGERS in Jesus's day and the MUSIC CHANGERS in our day are striking. - Both operate in the house of God. - Both rob God of His glory. - Both function for personal gain. - Both hinder true worship of a Holy God. Just as Jesus threw out the money changers in His day, so all Christians today who have a responsibility for the spiritual welfare of others must exercise their God-given responsibility to free those under their care from the destructive consequences of so-called "Christian rock" music. Although pastors and parents cannot destroy that which belongs to their teenagers, they can appeal to their teenagers and spend regular days of prayer and fasting for them. They can also bring their teenagers into contact with other young people who have discovered the truth about "Christian rock," urge their teenagers to conduct an Acts 19:19 bonfire, and then replace wrong music with Godly music. THE NEED TO REPLACE EVIL WITH GOOD When Jesus taught the parable of the unclean spirit in Matthew 12:43-45, He emphasized the danger of creating a vacuum by simply removing that which is evil. This principle is also true in music. It is not enough to remove wrong music - it must be replaced by good music. We recognize that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find good music. We can, however, highly recommend two cassette tapes: "Instruments of Praise" and "The Majesty and Glory." If you are unable to secure these tapes in your area, you may order them from IBLP for $5 and $8, respectively. Many have also received great benefit from a two-hour audio seminar on how to evaluate music. This album, Striving for Excellence, can be secured for $15. You may also order the six-cassette albums "making Melody in Your Heart, " Volumes 1 and 2 (25 each). To order send you name and street address, and check or money order payable to IBLP to: Publications Office Institute in Basic Life Principles Box One Oak Brook, IL 60522-3001 ===================================================================== Appendum by the Seed Sowers --------------------------- The following is a list highlighting the testimonies of the spiritual damage that occurred in those Christians who were involved with "Christian rock". The demonic, satanic fruit is clearly visible and it can be stated that Satan has made it into the Churches of our land. The devil's goal is to attack, weaken, and destroy any who bear the name Christian. If you are into any form of rock and roll then right now....the door of Satan is open in your life. FRUIT of "Christian rock 'n roll" and highlights of those who have been hurt by Satan's music: ---------------------------------- - loss of conviction from God - addiction to music with increasing desire for more and more...heavier and heavier - due to the addiction very difficult to quit - bridge to the world and gateway to secular rock - loss of the ability to concentrate (including Bible studies) - leads to compromises - path to immorality, moral convictions slowly dissolve - rebellious attitude toward parents and authority - hinders Spiritual growth - alienation from parents - blends in with the world...hypocritical music - increases sensual, lustful desires - deafen's the conscience - hinders reading, memorizing, or understanding God's Word. - ruined Christian witness - stumbling block for other Christians - ruins kids - hardens heart - spiritual bondage - divides Christians - sensual awakening and lessening of inhibitions - loss of desire to pray, read the Bible, worship God, or get to know the Lord - 'Christian rock' is no different from regular rock - brings tension, lack of inner peace, and depression If you are a pastor then you have a responsibility before God to get this demonic garbage out of your assembly. If you are a Christian child of God then God would call you to put away this filth and to walk with Him in these days before the return of Christ. It's your choice....what will you do now? Are you a sheep or a goat? Alan Yusko The Seed Sowers BBS (416) 498-5259/5962 P.O. Box 2513, Station F Scarborough, Ont M1W 3P2