I think it is very clear that media is very influential to us. In this case, music is the median of topic. I found this clip and it related so much to me personally. How hip hop influenced me...
I grew up going to church just like every other church boy. Due to religion, as I got older, I started to lose interest in church. Around the time I began high school my life was FLESH driven, whatever felt good at that moment I was into, positive or negative, it didn't matter. One thing that felt good to me was, THE MUSIC I LISTENED TO. There where times when I would completely get lost in the BEAT. I didn't see then how it would affect me. My music of choice was Rap and R&B. Kanye, Jay-Z, Wayne, or T.I during the day, and at night I found myself switching cd's to R-Kelly or Tyrease. I didn't think anything was wrong in what I was doing. The things that where said in the lyrics of those artists, I eventually found myself acting them out. Sexual sins, jail for theft, seeking to get RICH, glorifying MYSELF, the list can go on and on. But at the same time, I was a CHRISTIAN because I went to church every Sunday! I thought I was ok in the eyes of God. Wrong!
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"So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."-1 Cor. 10:31. We can no longer sweep this issue under the rug. We are allowing secular music/media to lead and influence our youth today. It's ONLY by the grace of God that I am free today from the bondage that comes by allowing secular music/media to enter into my soul. I was fortunate enough to have someone, somewhere pray and intercede over me until I was strong enough spirtually to flee from it. Even with prayer, I still found myself in harmful situations. Situations in which effect me today! We can't get around the fact that in 2009 we are a visual world. Christians, we must do a better job to support Godly music/media ministy. I know a Pastor who knows Lil Wayne, but not Tripp Lee. Whose music do you want to enter into yours or your child's spirit?
Lil Wayne: Spit lyrics-"I’ll shoot this mutherfu*#er til I burn my hand boy, Bust up in the court and shoot the witness on the stand boy This is my game ask, everybody in the stands boy" or
Tripp Lee: Give Him Glory- "When I eat, sleep, hit the streets/it's only for His glory man/Plus I can grow each time I read/ He put it all before me man Naw I ain't gotta wonder how to please him with my life/ it's in the Bible man I can model what I see up in the Christ"
Your choice!... but as for me and my household... we shall serve the Lord! Holy Hip Hop! I appreciate what you do!
Blessings to all,
With Love
Frank Cage |