3rd Compass -> Group News and Articles -> Christian, Gospel, Hymn Song Ratings and Warnings

Christian, Gospel, Hymn Song Ratings and Warnings (Review)
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Minister Ty Alexander
  11/13/2020
Updated 1/29/2024
Added Brave to Yellow



Music is a very popular and widespread way for believers to consume values and teaching. It also helps us get through bad times and it expresses our love and devotion to God through worship songs. However, I’ve found that much popular spiritual music is tainted by bad teaching, or worse, has roots in very unhealthy and even dark false teachings.

Accepting and using songs with bad or harmful spiritual values not only helps spread false teachings that are not from God, but it also makes its consumers blind to how bad they really are and resistant to actual truth and good teaching.

It is true that we should make and sing songs for worship and each other (Ephesians 5:18-20; Colossians 3:16), especially during holidays, celebrations, or when we are in times of trouble - speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with [our] hearts to the Lord; and always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Yeshua Mashiach [Jesus Christ] to our God and Father (Ephesians 5:19).

New Testament examples of this are when the Lord and His disciples sung a hymn after their Passover feast when they had the Last Supper (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26), and when Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi, which is in modern day Greece; they prayed and sung hymns of praise to God just before they were freed with a miracle and earthquake (Acts 16:25).

This use of spiritual music is good, however, I have also seen many believers become addicted to Christian and worship music, listening to it constantly. People can become addicted to God and religious things. Religious spirits love for people to do this and be too focused on spiritual songs, praising, etc. and to do these things too often. Yeshua and the disciples did NOT need to listen to or sing hymns or spiritual music all the time to keep the fires of the Spirit burning in them. It is actually prayer and getting rid of sin or the enemy’s hooks that are the best tools for this.

Some people use scripture like, the apostle Paul stating, Rejoice always [and] pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17; 2 Corinthians 6:10), as a reason to constantly saturate themselves with praise, prayer, and Christian or worship music, but remember we cannot take statements like that literally. Paul did not mean to say we absolutely, always must make ourselves full of joy in the Lord or pray constantly. We can't literally do those things all the time, but I've seen false teachings from imposters of God that actually say such things (see Light Within for more).

Paul meant these things figuratively, so instead, we should treat statements like this as urgings to try and joy in the Lord and pray when appropriate, especially when we aren't feeling good. This is why singing hymns is encouraged when we are in hardship. However, forcing special effort into joying in the Lord all the time is not natural, and it is something religious spirits and false-christs want and teach.

It can be very confusing to see where true and healthy faith is, and where our behavior turns into unhealthy fervor, or where or when religious spirits attach to it or produce it. Very often unhealthy addictions are completely invisible to those who have them. And now after many years of seeing how believers act and consume unhealthy media and teaching, I must warn you to be concerned if you must listen to Christian music “all the time,” meaning you have it on almost constantly, especially worship music.

Worship music is meant to praise the Lord, and we are supposed to give our full attention to that, so if you’re always listening to worship music and only half paying attention to it and half-praising as you go about life, don’t you diminish what should be praise to God?

If anyone can't be without worship or gospel music for long, then they are addicted and likely have religious spirits. We don't need to have religious music playing constantly to be connected with God, and in the same way, we don’t have to be in constant prayer through the day either.

God also does not consider your life truly righteous and of worship for Him, if you sing worship songs and attend church regularly, without fail, but do little else to change your sins and bad behaviors at all other times, for "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth," (John 4:24).

What is it to worship in spirit and truth? It is "to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable spiritual service of worship, [a reasonably righteous life]" (Romans 12:1) (see 4:24 - Be careful what you listen to - Worship in spirit and truth for more about the meaning of this scripture).

It is when our habits and choice of media becomes unhealthy and even dangerous, that we should be very concerned with what and how we consume things. To help you discern better what music is good or not, the color-coded list at bottom ranks songs by various degrees of what is good or bad. May it help you in your spiritual life.

If you didn’t find a song in the list, then it was not evaluated or I had not the time to enter it in the list. There are too many songs to fully evaluate, but the list will give you a good idea of what kind of false teaching and bad focuses you should be aware of in your selection of music. If you would like music evaluated, feel free to ask for an evaluation through the contact form…

God bless you into mature and healthy relationships with the Lord, through Mashiach Yeshua (Christ Jesus). Amen.

BLUE: Songs with no problems and proper for worship - Worship to God needs the proper focus in the music and lyrics, so our praise and feelings for God are emphasized, while having the feelings themselves are not overemphasized. Overemphasis on feelings can lead to addictive use of music and singing, because it feels good to use or participate in it.
Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace Requiem by Ty Alexander Huynh
Beautiful Things by Gungor
Blessed Be Your Name by Tree63
Desert Song by Natalie Grant
Fade With Our Voices by Jason Gray
Faithful by River Valley Church
Famous One by Chris Tomlin
Great Is The Lord by River Valley Church
HaShem - The Name by Ty Alexander Huynh
He Will by Ellie Holcomb
Highest Praise by River Valley Church
Hosanna by Paul Baloche
How Great Thou Art by Carl Boberg
Prayers Of Psalm 5 by Ty Alexander Huynh
Prayers Of Psalms 6 and 7 by Ty Alexander Huynh
Shemini Atzeret - The Last Great Day by Ty Alexander Huynh
Solid Rock by River Valley Church
Song For Pentecost From Psalm 8 by Ty Alexander Huynh
Song For Yom Teruah by Ty Alexander Huynh
Sovereign by Chris Tomlin
Strength And Salvation Of Psalm 3 by Ty Alexander Huynh
The Earth Is Yours by Gungor
The King Of Psalm 2 by Ty Alexander Huynh
The Lord Knows Of Psalm 4 by Ty Alexander Huynh
Waterfall by Chris Tomlin
GREEN: Songs with no problems but not proper for worship
4:24 Contradiction by Ty Alexander Huynh
America Simmering by Ty Alexander Huynh
Christmas Pipes by Celtic Woman
Days To Remember by Ty Alexander Huynh
Every Season by Nicole Nordeman
Finally Free by Nicole Nordeman
Grace by Phil Wickham
Healing In His Name by Ty Alexander Huynh, Written by Barney E. Warren
I Am by Nicole Nordeman
Lament For The Bride by Ty Alexander Huynh
Lead Me by Sanctus Real
One Day by Matisyahu
Process by Ty Alexander Huynh, Written by Enoch Alademerin
River God by Nicole Nordeman
Small Enough by Nicole Nordeman
Someday by Nicole Nordeman
Sometimes A Prayer Will Do by Celtic Woman
Soul Song by Ty Alexander Huynh
This Mystery by Nicole Nordeman
To Know You by Nicole Nordeman
 
YELLOW: Songs with some problems
Before The Morning by Josh WilsonOveremphasis on God's love, ignoring God's judgment and reasons for it. God brings both the good and bad[2.1.3].
Brave by Nicole NordemanSome lyrics link to excessive religious zeal and romantic notions from carnal false teachings. Specifically, "Say Your name, just Your name and I'm ready to jump, even ready to fall" shows overzealous religious fervor because we should not take actions simply because God's name or purpose is invoked. Everything must be examined VERY carefully (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22) because carnal false teachings from imposters of God often create a cult-like blind loyalty that makes believers do things without question or examination that is the same type of religious blindness and zeal associated extremists in other religions.

The lyrics, "But if You believe in me that changes everything," also comes from carnal false teachings that overemphasize having a personal relationship with God. Not only is the notion used in false gospels, such as preaching that having a personal relationship with Christ is how we are saved, but the truth is, these false teachings also create unhealthy over-dependence on personal love, help, and guidance from imposter spirits of God. This keeps people in the chains of the imposters and prevents believers from moving into spiritual maturity.

It is also important to note that it is by God's blessings of real, tangible help that often brings us victory; whether it is blessings of faith and strength or other material help. It is not simply that God believes in us that we can succeed in our struggles, even though God can and does encourage us in difficult trials and pursuits where He does not give noticeable help. God does make us do things that are difficult, painful, and inevitably fail. God disciplines, tests, and matures us through such trials, so also remember, the scripture goes, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me"
(Philippians 4:13). It isn't, "I can do all things through Him who believes in me."
Holy by Nicole NordemanOveremphasis on God's love, ignoring His desire that we change, repent, and improve (sanctify)
I Will Not Fear by Jeff Kerr and River Valley Church
Some overemphasis on God's love, ignoring God's judgment and reasons for it. God brings both the good and bad[2.1.3].
How Deep The Father's Love For Us by Nicole NordemanOveremphasis on boasting only in Christ. This overly religious teaching likely came from John Piper or R.C. Sproul and their ministries (Ligonier Ministries and Desiring God). Focusing only on Jesus and the name of Jesus is also used by religious spirits. We should be focusing on God as a whole and use all of His names given in scripture. See The Actual Names of God and Christ for more about His names.

The suspect lyrics are "I will not boast in anything; no gifts, no power, no wisdom, but I will boast in Jesus Christ."

It is true we should not boast in arrogance or pride (1 Samuel 2:3; Psalm 5:5, 10:3, 52:1, 75:4, 94:4; Proverbs 20:14, 25:6, 25:14, 27:1; Isaiah 10:15, 16:6; Jeremiah 9:23-24. 23:32, 48:30, 49:4; Obadiah 1:12; Romans 1:30; 1 Corinthians 3:18-21, 4:7, 5:6; 2 Corinthians 10:16-18, 11:12; Galatians 5:26, 6:4; 2 Timothy 3:2; James 3:5, 4:16; 1 John 2:16; also Judges 7:2; 1 Kings 20:11; 2 Chronicles 25:19; Psalm 49:6, 97:7; Daniel 7:8, 7:11, 7:20, 11:36-37; Zephaniah 2:8, 2:10; Romans 2:17, 2:23, 4:2; 1 Corinthians 1:29; Galatians 6:13; Ephesians 2:9), and
if we do boast, we should give proper credit to God, not only in Christ, but in God as a whole (1 Chronicles 16:10; Psalm 34:2, 44:8, 63:11, 64:10, 105:3, 106:5; Isaiah 13:3, 41:16, 42:25; Jeremiah 4:2, 9:23-24; 1 Corinthians 1:31; 2 Corinthians 10:8-17). There is also scripture noting of good boasting in material things and people, though they are linked to God's gifts and blessings (Isaiah 61:6; 1 Corinthians 9:15; 2 Corinthians 8:24, 9:2-5, 11:5-11, 11:16-31, 12:1-9). So not boasting in anything but Christ as the lyrics state is excessive.
 
Your Great Name by Natalie GrantUse of false belief that the enemy can always be rebuked with the Lord's name. See John Dau's Dream for more about that.
 
RED: Songs with serious problems – Generally, connections to more harmful false guidance and teaching was found in this music.
All Is Well by Michael W. Smith and Carrie UnderwoodConnection to false guidance from God Calling books that are from an imposter of Christ. See Light Within for more on that.
Be Thou My Vision  Overemphasis on carnal love for the Lord that comes from false guidance from imposters of God and Christ. See Light Within for more on that.
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing by Robert Robinson and Martin Madan
This is a popular old hymn, especially for new believers, because of its focus on loving the Lord and asking Him for help to keep from sin. However, the Lord had me put the song here because it has connections to sects of the church, like the Baptists, and preachers that spread false teachings (Robert Robinson was a Baptist and Martin Madan promoted polygamy) that connect to imposters of God. See Light Within and Ministry Warnings for more on that.

Many old hymns are like Come Thou Fount and Be Thou My Vision, but I haven't the time to go through the thousands of hymns out there. May you take greater care in selecting from hymns and hymnals written and compiled by the church.
Deep In Love With You by Michael W. SmithOveremphasis on carnal love for the Lord that comes from false guidance from imposters of God and Christ. See Light Within for more on that.
Divine Romance by Phil Wickham
Overemphasis on carnal love for the Lord that comes from false guidance from imposters of God and Christ. See Light Within for more on that.
More Like Falling In Love by Jason GrayOveremphasis on carnal love for the Lord that comes from false guidance from imposters of God and Christ. See Light Within for more on that.
Pure Bride by LeelandOveremphasis on the false teaching that God will only redeem or save "pure," sinless Christians in His Second Coming. See Light Within for more on that.
Various Songs by HillsongOveremphasis on rapturous worship. Some lyrics identified to align with false guidance that come from imposters of God and Christ. See Light Within for more on that. Excessive harlotrous ministry focuses and leadership failures.
Various Songs by Take His Heart MinistriesThough Take His Heart may have some good songs, many of them have close ties to the false guidance they get from their imposters of God and Christ. See Light Within for more about Take His Heart.
What A Friend We Have In Jesus by Joseph M. Scriven, and other authors in some versionsOveremphasis of God being only a doting God, who only brings support and good things. Though there are good focuses of bringing all things to God in prayer and getting strength in Him, there is the major theme of overemphasis in God's love, which ignores that He brings both the good and bad[2.1.3], and that adversity is often because of sin, and so God brings judgment for it. The requirement of being righteous to get many of God's blessings and protections is ignored or overlooked. These kinds of viewpoints are often spread by false teaching from imposters of the Lord. See Light Within for more on that.
 



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