Seeing as we're so inundated with audio entertainment, it seems reasonable to ask ourselves some critical and reflective questions regarding it. Here are a few that I've come up with:
Would I desire to be listening to this song when Jesus returns? Why or why not?
Am I listening to this because of the music or the lyrics? How do they correlate to each other?
Am I fully aware of the lyrics of the song I'm listening to? Have I not only deemed them "appropriate" but worthwhile to fill my head with (Phil. 4:8)?
Does this draw my heart to worship God? Even secular songs can do this, as they demonstrate God's common grace to unbelievers who have been given the talent to make good music.
Does this positively affect my emotions?
Is this making me a more intelligent and thoughtful individual?
Is this true? Or is it trumpeting culture's errant themes regarding love, sex, marriage, gender, alcohol, language, drugs, family, ethics and morals, life's purpose, or any other falsehood? In adapting Jonathan Edwards' thirty-fourth resolution, I desire to never listen to anything but the pure and simple verity.
Am I willing to give up listening to this song if I become convinced of its hindrance to my sanctification?
Am I listening ethically by only watching legal material on YouTube and only downloading legal music?
Why do I listen to music?
Do I listen to this because it makes me feel good or because it makes me a better Christian?