I may lose some friends and followers over this post. I may even get some hateful comments, or be called a goody-two-shoes, a hater, or a prude. It wouldn’t be the first time. My heart here really is not to come off as any of those things. It isn’t to be prideful or judgmental, but as Christians I want us to really be aware of what is at stake when we choose to live like the world while proclaiming we belong to Christ. We hear it all the time, “you do you”–live your life how you want. But as Christians this motto is a far cry from how the Bible has called us to live. As a follower of Christ, you don’t do YOU, you do Jesus.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

If I had a nickel for every time I have heard, “I just like the beat. I don’t listen to the lyrics” or “it’s not that bad”, I would be rich as all get out. I made the same excuses for a long time. I knew I was wrong, and I chose not to care. Yet here is the hard truth: God is not interested in “not that bad”; He said “be holy for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Holiness is not arrogance. To be holy means to be set apart, and as Christians we are not called to live as the world lives. Everything we do matters–what we listen to, what we watch or what we read, or whatever else we choose to participate in. That’s not even being legalistic; it’s obedience to Christ.

Yet everywhere I turn, I see that Christians are listening to Drake, Ariana Grande, Bruno Mars, Cardi B, and a whole host of other secular [for lack of a better term] artists. Why?? If we truly believe the Word of God and what it says, why are we not guarding our hearts above all else (Proverbs 4:23)? Why are we not setting our minds on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable” (Philippians 4:8)? Why are we listening to songs laced with obscenities, and speaking of the degradation of both men and women, sexual sin, violence, and murder??

“Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

“For some do not have the knowledge of God”…I can’t even begin to imagine the number of people I misrepresented Jesus to while I was in pursuit of my selfish desires, all the while still “believing in God”. I’m finding out that believing in God and choosing God are two very different things, and people can see that. They can see when I choose Him on Sundays, and during my morning devotions. They see me going to Bible study and  helping out at church events. But what about work? School? Where do I go with my friends? How do I live at home or in my car when that crazy driver cuts me off? What do I post on social media?

I am beginning to understand for myself [not just read it in the Bible], that He is an all or nothing God. Deuteronomy 4:24 says that He “is a consuming fire, a jealous God”, and in James 4:5, “the Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously.” You see God wants your WHOLE heart, and He is not unreasonable to make such a request. We are to be living testimonies of what Christ has called us into, all the while not holding onto what He has called us out of (1 Peter 2:9).

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” Galatians 6:7-8

When you read, watch, listen to, or engage in something, is it speaking to your flesh? Or is it speaking to your spirit? It took me a long time to let go of what my flesh wanted. It wasn’t until I realized I had made idols out these things [running to them instead of God], that I made the decision to release them. In those moments it was never easy to let go, but when I finally stopped ignoring the tug in my spirit, I didn’t miss those things at all. I actually felt lighter. 

I suspect that this may be a big hurdle for some, and if you have even bothered to read this far, my hope is that you take some time to reflect and pray about why it is a struggle to let go. I have listed some things below that really encouraged me to shift my perspective when it came to things I visually and audibly consumed.

Resources:

Is Secular Music a Sin? – Jefferson Bethke **I tend to be long-winded as you can see, but Jeff really breaks this issue down in a way I hadn’t thought of when I was going through the struggle myself.

Plugged In [Focus on the Family] **Plugged In is a website where movies, music, TV, books and games are reviewed from a Christian perspective. The writers continually astound me with their ability to review the content [good, bad, and in-between] with genuine grace and truth.

The Good Christian Music Blog – YouTube **There is seriously SO much good Christian music on here–I was shocked honestly! Ranging in different styles from Indie, Electronica, Hip-Hop, R&B, and Singer-Songwriter, there’s something for everyone .

Gods At War: Defeating the Idols That Battle for Your Heart by Kyle Idleman **This book honestly wrecked me. It was a huge catalyst for change in my walk with Christ, as I was completely unaware of the many idols I had allowed in my life.

“As I grew older the things I cared about grew fewer, but were more important… Things! Burn them, burn them! Make a beautiful fire! More room in your heart for love, for the trees! For the birds who own nothing—the reason they can fly.” Mary Oliver

This quote resonates within my heart more and more, with each passing day. Throughout my life, I have accumulated many things, most of which I do not need. I am quite certain that we have all heard the phrase, “money can’t buy you happiness”. I dare say that it can. I have bought numerous things which have brought a smile to my face, and contentment to my heart. When I look around at all that I possess, and my heart starts to feel burdened. It is not the things themselves, but why I have acquired them that makes my heart ache.

If I’m being honest, the reason I have most of these things is pride. I grew up not having a lot of things. Much of what I had was hand-me-downs, and things I shared with my siblings. As I grew older, I bought whatever I wanted with the money that I had earned. It felt like freedom! I would constantly rotate my bathroom and bedroom decor as my tastes changed with the seasons. I would buy books and knick knacks just for decoration. Designer handbags and shoes, Sephora makeup, and expensive perfumes, because why not?! I had the money, and no one else was there to spoil me. It was the game of never enough. What once felt like freedom, began to feel like a prison. I felt chained to my possessions. I couldn’t possibly let them go; I had worked so hard for them!

 As my home became a place of storage for stuff, my heart became a place of storage for pride and discontentment. And it’s just a burden I don’t want to carry anymore. I cannot take any of these things when I leave, so why do I need them now? I am not saying it is wrong to buy things, but I have come to a place where I want to have a pure heart when it comes to what I have and why I have it. What are my motives when I am looking at all the pretty things I can purchase? Am I actually in need of it? Am I discontent and bored with what I have? Do I think others will think better of me for having it?

“A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away.” Ecclesiastes 3:5-6

The more I give these things away, the more I understand that what I think is mine is not meant for me alone. Whether it is things, money, or time, if what I can give will bring joy to someone else, then giving is what I will do. My pastor once said that “people are the true riches of heaven”. I love that. We cannot take our earthly possessions with us when we die. What we can do, is show love to the world around us by being generous with what we have been given. When we are generous, it breaks down the walls of our pride as we see a need greater than our own, and seek to meet that need.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

Each one of us has something to give, and it is not about quantity, but quality–the nature in which we give. If you have ever been in need of anything, you know that even the smallest gift is precious in that moment.

Being generous might mean sharing more of our time with family, friends, or even strangers instead of staring at our phones. It could be giving food to the homeless, or  helping our next door neighbor. We can sponsor a child in need every month (Compassion International is wonderful), instead of buying coffee 3-4 times a week (make it at home y’all). We can donate all those books we have already read and the movies we have seen 15 times, or the outfit we wore only once because somehow it looked better when we tried it on in the store (that lighting makes everything look cute, I’m telling you).

To show love will always require a sacrifice, but it is so worth it. Each and every time I have withheld when I knew it was in my power to give, I walked away with nothing but guilt and pride. The times where I have chosen to stop and meet the need of someone (even someone I may never even meet), I walked away not the poorer. I walked away with joy and love in my heart. Now that I can take with me when I am gone.

You are beautiful.
You are loved.
You are whole.

These are words I have had to speak out loud to myself daily this past week. As I go through one of the hardest seasons of my life, I am having to constantly remind myself of truths such as these. I have been in this situation many times before in life, and my tendency has been to spiral down the hole of depression. I would let wave after wave of negative and hopeless thoughts wash over me.

But I’m not doing that anymore.

I’m not going to repress what I think and feel, nor am I going to let my feelings become my truth. I am choosing to be open and honest, no matter how dumb I think it may sound. Whether I am praying and laying it out before the Lord, or sharing my heart with trusted friends, I no longer hold anything back. Whether I am feeling ugly, rejected, and broken, or insecure, hopeless, jealous, and alone–I speak it out.

No matter what the enemy tries to tell us, we are not alone. Someone else is struggling just as we are. Every time I have shared what is on my heart with others, they have been there to encourage and pray for me. Sometimes they have been where I have been, and other times we are actually walking through it together. But we wouldn’t know that if we didn’t share our hearts. The beautiful thing about our confessions, is that once we speak them out, they are now in the light. They can be covered in prayer, and combatted with the Word of God.

So no matter who you are, or what struggles you are going through, don’t keep it to yourself. Tell someone. Let others cover you in love and prayer and encouragement. Don’t underestimate the power of community and confession, because there is healing in it (James 5:16). If you feel like you don’t have someone to share with, you can send me an email and I’ll be there for you. Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed about whatever is in your heart.

We are all a hot mess.
We all need Jesus.
We also need each other.