I’ve had a few people ask me this question this past summer. I even had one brother go as far as to say that he will be bumping Trip Lee on his honeymoon lol! That was too funny! Of course, I discouraged bumping Trip Lee on the honeymoon, but everyone has their preference.
As for me, I believe that the Word of God should be the authority in every area of our lives. While the Word of God doesn’t specifically say listen to “secular music” or not. It does provide general guidelines for our lives such as the below scripture:
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come – Philippians 4:8
The above scripture provides a guideline of how to assess our interaction with things that only pertain to profiting the body, natural man, or the flesh. Secular music is something that primarily appeals to our natural man and there is nothing wrong with that unless the secular music is awakening sin in us and that is a different issue altogether.
There are many things that deal with our natural man that are totally appropriate and beneficial such as the example mentioned earlier that was associated with marriage. On a honeymoon type of experience, I would not play any rap. If I did choose to play music it would definitely be R&B or Jazz. The Bible has no problem with this, it has a benefit. However, it does not have the same benefit of things that awaken or quicken our spiritual man and spiritual appetites.
I believe that we should be aware of what appetites are being awakened inside of us. If a person is single, and listening to a bunch of freaky get down music such as Jodeci Freakin You and the like; that will awaken the appetite to get freaky, and it clearly isn’t time for that yet because the person listening to the song is unmarried.
That is another clue of whether a song would be appropriate or not is what is being aroused in you? Only you can really answer that question. What may arouse one person with a song may mean nothing at all for another. For example, I was counseling a young lady who was coming out of an unhealthy relationship, and I had to pick her up for Bible study. Although, I can listen to my love songs with no big deal, I knew that may arouse memories of the guy she was trying to separate from, and that could cause her to stumble, so I only played my gospel playlist in the car on the way to Bible study.
Because I am a person who desires to have my heart after God, I intentionally limit how much secular music I listen to even though what I am listening to isn’t bad. I do this because I want my affections to be stirred up toward the things of God more. So, I will play a little Babyface, Toni Braxton etc., but also I will listen to more Tripp Lee, Lecrae, Karyn Hawthrowne and such. Why? Because it is more profitable for me in this life, and in the life to come.
I am also choosy with what I listen to. I do not listen to music that I believe is out of line with the Word of God. If the song is promoting adultery, fornication, murder, or anything not in line, I simply don’t entertain it.
God does not necessarily tell us everything to do or not to do, but he gives us wisdom in his word so that we can respond appropriately no matter what questions we are faced with. So, when you decide to listen to a song that is considered a secular song, consider whether it is something that awakens sin in you or something that is simply okay. Consider if it is wise to listen to a particular song in a particular season and if the song is causing you to think contrary to the word of God.
God doesn’t want to load us down with rules that only place us in bondage and prevent us from enjoying this life that God gave us to enjoy, but he does give us wisdom so that our freedom in Christ Jesus does not place us in bondage.
You say, “I am allowed to do anything”–but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,” I must not become a slave to anything. – 1 Corinthians 6:12
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