What music is okay to listen to as a Christian?
Firstly, I love this question. And it’s something I don’t think I’ve really come to terms with fully either. But I do know when music makes me feel ‘gross’ inside, or when I’m starting to feel my flesh take over. God is a lover of music, he created it. But there is so much Satan in music, it’s disturbing. I’m a big one for lyrics: if they’re of the world and I can tell it’s influencing me negatively, then I avoid listening to it.
But it’s hard because it’s usually the songs with the worst lyrics that are the most catchy (…enter Satan and his filth). I usually do listen to worship artists or country (because this is my favourite and I find it doesn’t influence my mind the way other music does).
I think it’s just about sticking to your convictions, if you know something makes you feel a certain way then have the discipline to not listen to it. And go your hardest and enjoy the freedom of the songs that you know are pushing you toward Christ. His conviction is for your protection, not your punishment.
Written about food, I actually learnt a lot in regards to music/lifestyle choices when I studied this passage from Romans chapter 14: “But if you have doubts about whether or not you should [eat] something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.”
What is a women’s role in the church?
Yikes. Okay, I’m going to admit I found this one hard to answer because it hasn’t been an area I have yet studied in-depth. However, when I read from Romans a year or two ago, when Paul tells women to be silent in the church, boy did I find out what he meant. And in context the women were being super gossipy and downright rude with their conduct and speech and would intentionally speak aloud with complaints about other women and their husbands… they were causing havoc in the church, so Paul came along and told them to shut it, pretty much.
The problem with this area is that a lot of people take that verse out of context and use it against women having a say in the church: that is wrong.
My personal view is that women shouldn’t be the head of a church. This doesn’t mean a woman can’t preach, be a pastor or a worship leader, etc. I honestly just believe that if you look at God’s design for family: it says that men are to be the head of the household. If church is a family and the body of Christ, then I also believe man is meant to be the head of the church (apart from Jesus!)
But the man is also called to love his wife, therefore if he is the head of the church he needs to love the women involved in the church too. It doesn’t mean the women have to keep their head down and remain silent, I’m against that…
Many women have gifts in leadership and teaching, but they must respect how a man has been designed and created by God to lead and make the decisions.
Honestly with all the feminism and women’s rights these days I am really concerned that we are diminishing and ruining how men have been created. We can do both together if we follow God’s heart and the Bible’s teaching.
Can a Christian guy and girl be best friends?
Ha, I used to say no to this question. But I think that yes they can. It honestly just depends on the heart and whether or not there is honesty in what you both feel toward one another.
Boundaries are the next best thing in friendships with the opposite sex. If you have no intention of dating the other person, then it may not be wise to spend a lot of time with them. Just always check in with your heart and ask yourself how you’re going and don’t be afraid to honestly communicate to your friend what you need.
And just remember everyone’s different, some people are fine with being really close with the opposite sex, and others aren’t if they aren’t dating/have the intention of marriage with that person. And either is okay!
Is it good for me to have close friends that aren’t Christian?
Having close friends that aren’t Christian I would not say is a bad thing. We can be friends with people who don’t believe and share the same beliefs and views we do. All I would say is just to be cautious of the affect your friends have on you and if they are leading you toward Christ (even Christians can lead us astray if they don’t put God first). I would say it’s absolutely fine to be close with friends that aren’t Christian –just be sure to also have strong Christian friends around you too that can encourage you, pray with you and keep you accountable in life. If you don’t have any Christian influence in your life, it would be harder to maintain your morals and live for Christ perhaps in the way you want, especially if you are new to faith.
“If you want to grow in wisdom, spend time with the wise. Walk with the wicked and you’ll eventually become just like them.” (Proverbs Chapter 13, Verse 20 MSG).
Shannon Munyard is home to the Adelaide Hills where she works as a horse riding instructor and equine assisted learning facilitator at a non-for profit youth campsite. Shannon is passionate about authenticity, and seeing people connected to their hearts. She loves the outdoors, bush camping, pondering deep questions and Jesus.
Shannon Munyard is home to the Adelaide Hills where she works as a horse riding instructor and equine assisted learning facilitator at a non-for profit youth campsite. Shannon is passionate about authenticity, and seeing people connected to their hearts. She loves the outdoors, bush camping, pondering deep questions and Jesus.