Contemporary music singer Mandisa did not attend the Grammy awards ceremony last week (though she won the award for best contemporary Christian music album) because of the negative impact such places have had on her spiritual life. On her Facebook page she admitted that she has been harmed by her involvement with the world. “Both times I have gone to the Grammys I have witnessed performances I wish I could erase from my memory, and yes, I fast forwarded through several performances this year; but my reason is not because of them, it’s because of me. ... I have fallen prey to the alluring pull of flesh, pride, and selfish desires quite a bit recently” (“Mandisa Wary of Grammys’ ‘Allure of Pleasure,’” Baptist Press, Jan. 29, 2014). She stayed home to try to renew her mind rather than place herself in an environment that celebrates things that she considers “risky.” She identified these as “the allure of pleasure, the passion to have things and the pompous sense of superiority.” In addition to its normal overflowing quota of moral filth, this year’s Grammys featured a mass homosexual “wedding” and an occultic rock performance (“Dark Horse” by Katy Perry). Risky, indeed! Having made a wise decision to stay away from this filth on this particular occasion, it is obvious that Mandisa doesn't understand Biblical separation. She is an unrepentant lover of the world’s music and immodest clothing; she remains open to the possibility of attending future Grammy awards; and she wrongly cites Jesus as the example of being a friend of sinners in such contexts. The Lord Jesus is most definitely a friend of sinners. He laid down His life for sinners. But Jesus didn't party with sinners. He loved sinners, but He was always “undefiled, separate from sinners” (Heb. 7:26). Unlike the typical CCM artist, Jesus warned about God’s judgment on sinners, demanded repentance, and preached eternal hellfire, which will put a stop to any worldly party, as well as getting the preacher disinvited to all future parties! After I was saved at age 23 from a rock & roll lifestyle, I spent a lot of time witnessing to my former hippy buddies. I went to their houses and met them in restaurants and talked with them privately, but I had enough sense even as a young believer to stay away from their parties. Being a friend of sinners doesn't mean attending a rock concert, a bar, or a Hollywood orgy. Don’t be deceived. Contemporary Christian rockers, no matter how sincere, aren't following in the footsteps of Christ and Paul. They are following in the footsteps of Lot and Demas. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11). “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33). (Friday Church News Notes, February 7, 2014, www.wayoflife.org [email protected], 866-295-4143) Comments are closed.
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