The Ready Writer 11
Two Doors
By George J. Matranga
Any attempt to lower divine standards trivializes a Holy God, thus setting another doorpost by His doorpost.
“No more shall the house of Israel defile my holy name…When they set their…doorpost by my doorpost…they defile my holy name…” Ezk. 43:7,8 NKJV
Recently, on a national Christian radio talk show, I heard a man of God say, “God is raising up a whole new breed of ministers.” Well, I believe God is even raising up a whole new breed of “music” ministers. “The end of all things is at hand.” I Pet. 4:7 NAS It is quite evident that God is cleaning up His church and the Christian music business is in for a big sweep.
There is a broad road being paved and many in the Body of Christ are being led astray down its treacherous path. There has always been two ways: God’s way and the devil’s way. As the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ draws nearer, the devil is busy master-minding what I call, “The Great Satanic Set-Up.” “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work.” II Thes. 2:7 NKJV He thrives to oppose all righteousness and truth. Music is a vital tool in satan’s weaponry since he was a master musician. “The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you were created.” Ezk. 28:13 NKJV What better way to lure people to destruction than through the doorway of music. Many in these critical last days will fall for satan’s clever schemes: using false brethren to draw away those from the true faith. “And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed.” II Pet. 2:2 NKJV “Now the Spirit expressly says that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” I Tim.4:1 NKJV I believe God is raising up true prophetic ministries, like echoes of the Old Testament prophets, all over the land. These true brethren are resounding tunes of holy righteousness that is making the righteous glad and the wicked mad! “Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they say, ‘We will not listen.'” Jer. 6:17 NKJV True believers are grieved over the lawlessness in God’s kingdom. Those who do not hunger for truth will be greatly offended. “They hate him who reproves in the gate, and they abhor him who speaks with integrity.” Amos 5:10 NAS
In these decadent days, the devil, like a “pied piper”, lures unbelievers using defiant music, but what about the subtleties in contemporary Christian music? Are God’s people so far removed from truth and righteousness that we can’t see the traps set by the enemy? Have we become numb? Do we sit and applaud those Christian artists who appear on the late night talk shows only to defame the name of Jesus by their carnality?
Music is an extremely powerful influence. Our young people are so impressed by it. It becomes their best friend – their confidant. Music reaches in and grips the soul when nothing else can seep through. The words of a song can stamp an everlasting memo on one’s heart. Music can stir one’s inner passions for good or for evil. However, God created music for a greater and much higher purpose: His glory, His honor, and His praise. “Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre: sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song: play skillfully with a shout of joy.” Ps. 33:2-3 NAS
Music artists are the trend setters of this generation and the music business entrepreneurs are like skilled sculptors; they mold and shape impressionable minds. Music moves people! Do we want high-gloss showmen or Christ-like shepherds leading the next generation? It is vital that the Christian music industry and ministry raise a standard of righteousness for the glory of God in this last hour. What kind of door is the Christian music business opening up for the Body of Christ? What new thresholds do we dare to open up for the future? If the agenda is to truly expand into uncharted territories with contemporary Christian music, then parameters must be set and lines drawn. There are young music ministers looking to the incumbents as role models. The actual lives displayed before them will serve as the licensing agent that will set the course for them to follow.
“And He said to me, ‘Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel forever. No more shall the house of Israel defile my holy name, they nor their kings, by their harlotry or with the carcasses of their kings on their high places. When they set their threshold by my threshold, and their doorpost by my doorpost, with a wall between them and me, they defiled my holy name by the abominations which they committed…'” Ezk. 43:7-8 NKJV The Christian music industry and ministry should be in service for the Lord’s will and for the advancement of His kingdom. Unfortunately unholy alliances and ulterior agendas have crept in to defile and profane what needs to be set in divine order. Before I released my first album, I prayed, “Lord, put me in contact with godly men of integrity within this business.” Prior to my relationship with the Lord, I had been in the music business for a long time, so I knew how it was. I believe it is time for godly men and women within the ranks to bring the ministry back to the industry. In an attempt to compete on the level of secular standards, the Christian music industry has become secularized. Instead of striving to maintain a level of righteousness and holiness for God’s kingdom, the standards of our holy God have been lowered to fit into a secular market. Thus, setting another threshold by His threshold and another doorpost by His doorpost.
TWO PATTERNS
“Now King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, and saw an altar that was at Damascus; and King Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the design of the altar and its pattern, according to all its workmanship.” II Kings 16:10 NKJV King Ahaz was very successful in lowering the standards of a holy God which eventually led to his ruin. God will not allow His people to borrow from the world what would usurp His pattern and design. Today there are those in high profile like King Ahaz who seek to remodel the divine pattern of God after the pattern of the world. Convinced by the status and recognition they achieve, they believe they have incurred God’s favor and blessing. They believe He will accept them according to their performance and success. They appear religious in their profession of the Lord, but they serve their own agendas. With their mouth they speak love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. And, because they appear successful, many believe God is in their favor and follow their road to ruin. By setting their doorpost by His doorpost and their threshold by His threshold, they deny God’s way of holiness and standard of righteousness only to make a wall between them and God. In the attempt to borrow the patterns and designs of the world they become defiled in the process. God has new things for the skilled at heart and for those who seek His excellence. I remember early in my ministry how excited I was over an idea to put Christian lyrics to a medley of “Oldies”. The Holy Spirit quickly spoke to me, “Why put the Lord’s words to the devil’s music?” Needless to say, I quickly aborted that idea.
“For he (King Ahaz) sacrificed to the gods of Damascus which had defeated him, saying, ‘Because the gods of the king of Syria help them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.’ But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel.” II Chron. 28:23 NKJV Today, some Christian celebrities think they can pattern their God-given gifts and talents after the workmanship of the world. They are totally deceived to think the gods of the world will give them success in God’s kingdom. As with King Ahaz, it will ultimately be their destruction as well as those that follow them. It’s erroneous to think the enemies of God are going to aid the Christian artist in reaching people through the secular charts with the true gospel of Christ. “And Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria came unto him, and distressed him, but strengthened him not. For Ahaz took away a portion out of the house of the Lord…and gave it unto the king of Assyria: but he helped him not.” II Chron. 28:20,21 KJV No matter what King Ahaz did to curry the favor of the King of Assyria, it did not help him. These deceived stars and those who hold to their philosophy end up neutralized by the world’s system. Holiness is “watered down” to appeal to secular audiences.
“Son of man, describe the temple to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern. And if they are ashamed of all that they have done, make known to them the design of the temple…” Ezk. 43:10-11 NKJV God has a divine order and a Holy pattern for His people. Those who hunger and thirst after righteousness seek to live by it. Nowadays, the Christian music industry has been seduced to pattern itself after the world. But God says if they are ashamed let them measure the pattern that He designed! Is there any shame within the Christian music business in that everything the secular world has to offer the church has copied? The world should be looking to us for inspiration. It always grieves my heart to hear an artist that has made it in the world say, “I started singing in church.” This smacks of harlotry and betrayal yet many applaud them as if they graduated to the top. We do not outdo the world by mastering its designs and techniques, but by holding fast to the Lord’s. It is no surprise that the Body of Christ has bought this kind of thinking and has allowed its leaven to poison the fruit.TWO TREES
“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day you eat of it you shall surely die.'” Gen. 2:16-17 NKJV Once, as a counselor, I attended a Christmas pageant at a large church. As part of the presentation, the large youth group rapped and danced to M. C. Hammer’s, “Pray”. I was grieved at the shallowness of the church, but others were lapping it up. A music video like “Pray” is dangerous because it sets no definitive boundaries. It “desensitizes” the Christian youth to the righteous requirements of the Lord and deludes the unbelieving youth into a false religious security. The video shows background singers dressed in choir robes only to change in the blink of a scene to sensuous pagan dancers. Yet, many are feeding from this poisonous fruit. This mentality comes from the wisdom of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It is earthly, sensuous, and demonic. It is a clever attempt to humanize and trivialize a holy God and draw the righteous away from God’s righteous requirements. But, the church is buying it!
TWO WAYS
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matt. 7:13-14 NKJV As a new believer, I testified to a secular record producer that I would never use my voice except to sing about Jesus Christ. He was totally adamant that I would waste my talent and cursed me for not at least singing love songs. I was seeking a higher calling that could never compare to mere reflections of another romantic love story. Love songs can be positive yet glorify the lower nature. Though many Christian artists and music lovers may be totally sincere in the intentions of their heart, keep in mind: human sincerity is not equivalent to divine righteousness. King David learned this the hard way after bringing up the Ark of God in the wrong way, and not according to God’s set order and design. “Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets. And when they came to Chidon’s threshing floor, Uzza put out his hand to hold the ark, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.” l Chron. 13:8-10 NKJV
Notice all the dancing, singing, and “hoopla” did not impress God nor did it cover up David’s failure to seek God’s way concerning the ark. God did not excuse their good intentions for failure to obey His ordinances. Sin is sin, and sin has its consequences. Human sincerity no matter how good the intentions of the heart, will never incur God’s favor to change His revealed way of righteousness. His proper order is set and it is up to us to measure up to it. David’s “kingly” influence opened the wrong door which resulted in destruction.TWO SIDES
An issue that needs to be clarified in the body of Christ is that of the “crossover” artist. While many are debating opinions and preferences, what is God saying? “Now why are you discouraging the sons of Israel from crossing over into the Land which the Lord has given them? This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-Barnea to see the land.” Num. 32:7-8 NAS
It has been the history of God’s people throughout Biblical antiquity to disobey His revealed commandments. Their failure to obey resulted in their failure to enter into His rest. Their problem…hearts in Egypt. I believe the underlying root of the “crossover” issue today is ambition – wanting to “make it” in the world. The sons of Gad and Reuben saw that the land to the east of the Jordan was profitable for their business and assumed they could make it on their own. Their hearts were not with God…they had another agenda! They failed to realize that their temporal, selfish appetites could hinder entrance into the Promise Land for their brethren.
Music ministry and industry leaders have an awesome responsibility of using their gifts and anointings to guide and govern. They have an incredible influence on God’s people. Which side of the Jordan are they encouraging God’s artists and musicians to enter? Unfortunately, many today desire to stay on the eastside of the Jordan. Jesus came to deliver us from the world and its trappings, not to show us how to fit in it. God’s desire has always been to separate His people to Himself as His own possession. He set boundaries and limits that we may enjoy His best in His kingdom. Declining God’s best, Gad and Reuben wanted to be separate and enjoy the best the world had to offer. They had a premeditated agenda in mind!
Much of the Christian music industry has lost its distinct kingdom character and purpose. There’s little difference from the world. Many songwriters have compromised by “milking down” their lyrics for the opportunity to be played on the “Egyptian” charts. I wrote a power ballad about a human relationship reflecting our relationship with Jesus Christ. It was never in my mind to cleverly manipulate the song for a crossover release, but it played on secular radio. Later, I was asked permission for its re-release as a cover song for a “back-door approach” humanitarian album. Their only request was that I remove the line that referred to Jesus dying on the cross. I quickly declined the offer. Jesus didn’t come through the back-door and I am not a “back-door” songwriter. We should stand our ground and maintain our boundaries, not extend them into dangerous territories where others are naively inclined to follow. Obviously, I am not against gospel music playing in the secular arena…I am against impure motives! Remember, crossing over God’s fixed boundaries is transgression. “Do not move the ancient boundary which your fathers have set.” Pr. 22:28 NAS We are all called – no matter what our vocation – to go into all the world with a pure heart and clean hands. If we crossover and have no witness then we have done nothing to advance the kingdom.
The Christian music business needs wise restrictions based upon God’s fixed order and righteous requirements. If “crossover” artists have evangelistic hearts, their fruits will declare it. Early in my walk, I bit into the lie that an infamous heavy metal Christian band was reaching head-bangers. I endorsed these true metal lovers because I sincerely believed they were on the front lines winning the lost. Time proved the true test of the fruit – idolatry and sensuality.
These “crossover” issues produce a variety of responses. One prominent music expert publicized that we shouldn’t “judge” our brothers and sisters. Concerning a music video by a so called “crossover” Christian star, this same expert justified it as merely an art form expressing love between a man and a woman. We have real problems, especially when Madonna uses the same “art form” arguments. God will hold these leaders accountable who are afraid to speak out for truth and righteousness on behalf of the Lord’s bride. “The princes of Judah have become like those who move a boundary: on them I will pour my wrath like water.” Hos. 5:10 NAS
I believe many of these artists and music experts will come under judgement for being stumbling blocks for those who seek to uphold the honor of God. Whatever we cherish and treasure above our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ is idolatry. To be truly used of God according to His requirements, we must come to the foot of the cross, broken and ready to give up all for His glory and kingdom.
The Christian music business should be about the Father’s business. And the Father’s business is all about our great God and Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus should be the reason that we sing, write, say and do. I thank the Lord for the few who are in it for the Glory of God, but there are too few of them. “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” I Cor. 10:31 NKJV I used to have a saying when I lived as a secular artist in Nashville: “You’re either in it all the way or you’re not!” That’s the attitude God has, “Either you’re in it all the way for Him or you’re not!” So I ask you, what door have you entered? What pattern have you copied? What tree are you feeding upon? What way have you chosen? Which side are you on?
“For we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ.” “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” Rom. 14:10,12 NKJVRe-edition, original word 1992