Music--Does it "Soothe the Savage Beast?"
Posted: Tuesday, June 01, 2010
by Carol Allen Anfinsen
AnfinsenArt
We are born to music. From the womb, we become a part of the rhythm of life; constantly in motion, undulating, swinging and swaying. Our mother’s heartbeat adds another sound to the music we hear and feel. The beating becomes a part of us, deeply ingrained in our immortal souls.
Perhaps in our forming we heard choirs of angels. Perhaps we brought clouds of glory with us to our earthly home. At any rate, from the moment of our birth music becomes an influence for good or for evil. Even music with a classical bent can create a feeling inside that tells us where it comes from. God knows this, and so does Satan.
I was relieved when the dancing and the drums ended. I was only an observer, but I felt all the forcefulness and power of those passion filled drums. The dancers walked away sweaty, confused, and puzzled. No clapping ensued, no giggling and talking; only silence. They were caught off guard in a momentary lust, and they weren’t sure how or why.
I understood. Prior to this experience, I’d attended a music appreciation class that was geared toward teenagers and their parents. The point of the instructor’s message was to help both age groups recognize the influence music has on us for good or for evil. Class members listened to various types of music and recorded their feelings and reactions. We discovered that music may have both a positive and a negative effect on our lives.
For example, my five year old daughter had an irritating habit of humming to drone out anything she didn’t want to hear; things like instructions, reprimands, or corrections. It became so intrusive that unless I could turn the situation around, I knew it would become a test of wills.
The next time she started humming when I asked her to do something, I said: “Here comes that “hummer bummer.” She was so surprised by this that she started to laugh. What’s more, she started to listen. Whenever she reverted to her humming drone, even her older brothers and sisters started teasing her and calling her “hummer bummer.” It worked. We turned a negative musical habit into a positive bonding experience for our family.
Her sister discovered her life’s calling through music. She listened to it, danced to it, and sang to it whenever she got the chance. Even at the age of three she was imitating an opera diva and trilling in aria mode. Since I didn’t play that kind of music, I wondered where this knowledge came from. It came from within her soul. She followed her heart, and the music, and today she teaches voice and performs. Music for her was turned into a positive life-changing experience.
I became a Christian through the influence of a Christian music station that I found while driving to and from work. Through their station, I learned how to worship the Lord through music. I joined in singing his praises. I rejoiced in his glorious gospel. This music influenced my life for good and became a lifeline to me during a very traumatic and stressful time of life. It replaced the bawdy, sensual fare I had become accustomed to.
We are born to praise God. We are born for his glory. Our hearts and minds should be a continual song of praise to his name. I have had so many prayers answered and inspiration given to me through Bible verses. In times of stress and crisis, these verses tumble into my mind and give me the comfort and support I need. I have been equally blessed by having words and phrases from my favorite hymns come to mind when I needed guidance.
The Bible refers to angelic choirs, and psalms and hymns of praise. Some verses even mention that the rivers clap and the rocks of the earth rejoice and praise God’s holy name. A favorite hymn for Christian youth reminds them “that if we don’t praise him, the rocks will shout out!”
Music inspired by the Holy Spirit is one of the ways God communicates with us. God announced the birth of his own son through music. An angelic choir of angels sang to the shepherds declaring good tidings (his birth). Christ’s own Gospel is often referred to as “a New Song,” and he said: “My sheep hear my voice and they follow me.”
Content does matter. Words do make a difference. The sounds and the styles of music influence our moods, our choices, our life outcomes. We have a barometer inside of us that measures every thought, every feeling, every action we take; unless we turn it off.
The barometer is called many things: conscience, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, the “indwelling spirit.” Turn this power off or ignore its promptings, and we’re under Satan’s powerful spell. If music is a part of the equation, it can become highly intoxicating; even addictive.
Music is entertaining. It can “soothe the savage beast” and make us feel good. Music can foster fellowship and fun. It can also influence the kind of people we choose as friends. “Men are that they might have joy,” the Lord said. But while we’re having a good time, let’s remember why we’re here on earth and use the power of discernment to guide us.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Wonderful article Carol. I love the way you stress how the things that we think are good may not necessarily be good and that we need to learn to use discernment. Thanks for sharing.Thank you, Linda! I appreciate your comments.
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