Are Christians allowed to listen to secular (non-Christian) music?

The same as books, magazines, movies, painting, etc., music is a product of human creation. It can be both good and bad. We can not judge that a product is good or bad only according to the religion of the man who created it. Music always has a message to say that influences the listener and the influences can be good or bad. If the music or songs message is contrary to the sound teaching of the Scriptures, the Christian should not listen to such music. The Word of God exhorts us thus:

… examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22)(NASB)

I like folk music and songs of my nation, but I noticed that there are many songs which present drunkenness and fornication in a good light and I do not want to listen to these songs. I have noticed that exactly these songs have become very popular and most radio stations are continuously playing them. An example is Ian Raiburg’s song “Let’s have a drink.” Given that drunkenness creates serious problems lately, maybe the best song to be more frequently sung would be the song “A wife cries on a hill” by Zinaida Julea, that shows the tragedy of drunkenness.

I invite readers to share their experience and opinions about listening to non-Christian music.

Translated by Felicia Rotaru