Yesterday, I was reading Dave Kraft’s excellent new book Leaders Who Last and was surprised to see him list music among the practices he uses for spiritual growth:

“It is vitally important that each of us discovers his own pathway to deep intimacy with the Lord Jesus Christ. For some, the way is music.…I try to use a combination of things, such as prayer walks, personal retreats, a daily devotional time, worshipful music, genuine community, or accountability with close and honest friends.”¹

That mention got me thinking, and I made a powerful connection about music and how we can—and should—use it to further our spiritual growth.

Music (apart from lyrics) establishes an emotional atmosphere or mood, and this sets up the lyrics to communicate a message. A particular song can push us towards intimacy with God, or towards a competing affection.²

The connection I made is that while I may choose to listen to a wide variety of music, if I am serious about cultivating a deeper relationship with God, I will choose to pursue music that pushes me in that direction. If I am serious about pursuing better health, than I’m going to choose snacks like trail mix or chopped veggies, not Snickers bars and Fritos. If I am serious about getting to know a friend on a deeper level, then I will choose conversation with him, not go to a movie. So, if I want to be more intimate with God, then I should set myself up for that with the music I listen to. Is the other music, music that doesn’t lead me towards God, wrong? I don’t think so. Is it beneficial? Not really. And, it may even be dangerous, leading me towards the lies of riches and desires for other things that choke the Word of God in my life (³ ).

1. pg. 32. Kraft, Dave. Leaders Who Last (Re: Lit Books). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2010. [↩]
2. Note that music doesn’t create that intimacy; its our responsibility to do so. But it can create an environment conducive to it, just as a walk in the woods or a great book or a good sermon can. [↩]
3. but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. ( ESV) [↩]