Can a born-again Christian listen to rap music?

A born-again Christian can listen to rap music as long as it does not promote either of the following things:

1. Idolatry
2. Blasphemy
3. Rebellion against authority
4. Sexual immorality
5. Filthiness
6. Hatred
7. Murder

Let’s dig deeper and see what the Bible has to say concerning these things.

1. A Christian should not listen to rap music that promotes idolatry.

The question to ask yourself here is: does the rap music you intend to listen to promote the worship of idols? If it does, then listening to it will definitely not sit well with God. This is because God forbids the worship of other gods besides Him.

This is in line with what God commanded the children of Israel in Exodus 20:1–6. The scripture says:

“And God spoke all these words, saying: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.”

Disobedience to this commandment had grave consequences, as stipulated in Exodus 20:5, which says:

“You shall not bow down to them (referring to other gods) nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me.”

This scripture equally applies to every born-again believer and should therefore not be taken lightly. Consequently, any believer who goes against this commandment by listening to idolatrous rap music will suffer the wrath of God.

2. A Christian should not listen to rap music that promotes blasphemy.

It is wrong for a born-again Christian to listen to rap music whose lyrics are blasphemous.

Blasphemy is ‘the act or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things’ (Oxford Languages Dictionary).

The Bible is very clear that blasphemy is a sin against God. This is according to the following scriptures:

Leviticus 24:15-16

“Then you shall speak to the children of Israel, saying: Whoever curses his God shall bear his sin. And whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him, the stranger as well as him who is born in the land. When he blasphemes the name of the LORD, he shall be put to death.’”

Colossians 3:8

“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.”

So when you listen to blasphemous rap music, the message you will be communicating to people is that you approve of its theme. Thus, non-believers will wrongly assume that your God is also comfortable with such music, which is not the case.

Thus, as a born-again Christian, do not listen to blasphemous rap music because it dishonors God.

3. A Christian should not listen to rap music that promotes rebellion against authority.

There are some rap songs whose lyrics stir people to rebel against authority figures such as parents, schools, and the government, among others.

The Bible clearly teaches that all people should obey those in authority because they are set up by God.

For example, parents exercise God-given authority over their children and should thus be obeyed and respected. This is recorded in Ephesians 6:6, which says:

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise. That it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

So, any music, rap or otherwise, that fosters rebellion against parents is contrary to what the Bible teaches. Therefore, a born again Christian will do himself a great service not to listen to such music.

Another example of authority is that exercised by leaders elected into office through the voting process. The Bible directs that such leaders should be obeyed as they are God’s appointees. This is recorded in Romans 13:1, which says:

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”

Thus, a serious born-again Christian should keep off rap music whose lyrics are meant to incite the masses against established governments.

4. A Christian should not listen to rap music that promotes sexual immorality.

Some rap music has specifically been composed with the aim of advancing sexual immorality among the masses.

Some of these songs directly promote immoral sexual behavior such as adultery, fornication, incest, perversion, sodomy, and the like. The Bible strongly objects these kinds of sexual relations and even goes ahead to outline the punishment reserved for those who disobey.

This is what scripture says about sexual immorality:

1 Corinthians 6:9

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterous, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.”

1 Corinthians 6:18

“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body.”

1 Corinthians 10:8

“Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.”

1 Thessalonians 4:3

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality.”

Jude 1:7

“As Sodom and Gomorrah and cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.”

5. A Christian should not listen to rap music that promotes filthiness.

Every serious born-again Christian should stay away from rap music that promotes filthy behavior and language. This is in line with what the Bible teaches in the following scriptures:

James 1:21

“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

Ephesians 5:3-4

“But fornication and all uncleanliness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.”

Ephesians 4:29

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

When you listen to rap music whose lyrics are unpleasant to the ear and contrary to what the scriptures teach, God will be offended.

6. A Christian should not listen to rap music that promotes hatred.

Rap music that promotes hatred between races, tribes, or nations should be a no-go zone for every serious born-again Christian.

This is because God is love, and He expects us to walk in it. Therefore, listening to rap music that promotes hatred is the least He can expect from us as born-again Christians.

There are various scriptures that teach against hatred, including the following:

Leviticus 19:17

“You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor and not bear sin because of him.”

Matthew 5:43-44

“You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

1 John 3:15

“Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”

7. A Christian should not listen to rap music that promotes bloodshed and murder

Some rap music seems to glorify the shedding of blood, which is contrary to what the Bible teaches. Therefore, listening to such music is an indication that you approve of its theme of shedding blood.

The following scriptures teach that God does not condone the shedding of blood for whatever reason.

Exodus 20:13

“You shall not murder.”

Leviticus 24:17

“Whoever kills any man shall surely be put to death.”

Genesis 9:6

“Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God He made man.”

Exodus 21:12

“He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death.”

Thus, listening to rap music that advances the shedding of innocent blood will definitely earn you the wrath of God.

Conclusion

This article sought to establish whether it is right for a born-again Christian to listen to rap music. It has since been established that it is wrong for a Christian to listen to rap music that promotes idolatry, blasphemy, rebellion against authority, sexual immorality, filthiness, hatred, and murder. All these things are contrary to God’s word and should therefore be avoided at all costs. The Bible teaches that in whatever we do, our ultimate aim should be to glorify God. This is according to 1 Corinthians 10:31, which says:

“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

So, if the rap music you are listening to does not glorify God, then know that you are on the wrong path. I hope this was beneficial. God bless you.

Related post: What does the new testament say about eating pork

Further reading: As a Christian do you feel its ok to watch horror movies

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Amen!”

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Benediction

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(Numbers 6:24-26)

Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/