Songs Mean Things

If we use words, we must be careful to understand what they mean. Words mean things. We cannot just change their meanings at our own fleeting whims.

I've been thinking: Songs mean things too. They are words we speak through music, but they are words nonetheless. They have meanings that we cannot just ignore or blow off because we don't care at the moment or don't want them to mean what they do.

If we sing the words to a song that says something untrue or evil, we bring about their intent whether we agree with them or not. I'm thinking of those popular ditties that get into your head through listening to the radio (or whatever). How often have I heard someone say something like: "I'm not really paying attention to the words, I just like the music." Too bad. You're still speaking their reality into being over yourself. And if that ditty stickes in your head all day long, how many times are you reinforcing that junk? Yikes!

We need to be very careful what we speak, whether it's in words or music, because words not only mean things, they have power over us. Know anyone who thinks they're "stupid" or "ugly?" Or "I can't remember names;" "I'll never understand math." How many times does it take for us to convince ourselves they're true? How many times does it take for it to "stick" and we go through life believing what we've said of ourselves? I know plenty of people who have cursed themselves because of what they have convinced themselves of- just by speaking untruth over themselves over and over again! This is one of the reasons scripture encourages us to think about positive things:

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. - Philippians 4:8

Let's watch what we say. Let's watch what we sing. Fill your mouth with praises for God and encouraging words for yourself and others.