I used to be a big music enthusiast, but all I've wanted to do is read the bible and understand God better recently.
Is it possible that all the music I've listened to over the years is actually the devil's instrument, to get it stuck in my head and not actually be able to quiet my mind and distract from God?
Most importantly, How do you guys get your mind to quiet, so that you can listen for the Lord's voice, if he chooses to speak? I try to meditate, but I'm struggling with this
Be alone with Him. Lead with repentance. Surrender your heart, your mind, your soul to the Lord. This is between you and Him.
I don't know what kind of music you listen to but their are nuances here that the churches refuse to acknowledge. I have seen blatant condemnation for those who listen to so-called "secular" music. I have heard the trope that "Christians should only listen to praise and worship music." It's funny though because they typically mean THEIR taste in praise and worship music.
Music is important. God created it. He loves it. But Satan attempts to corrupt ALL good things.
We are like sheep. We are pretty dumb and we are prone to wander. Ask Him, in faith, to keep you near--to protect you from the influences of the world. The Holy Spirit is with you always to keep you moving in sanctification. The Spirit desires only to make you more like Jesus...listen to Him.
I am confused by trying to "quiet your mind." What Scripture are you pointing to for this?
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:2
For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation Psalm 62:1
I do not ever seek to quiet my mind, but this may be a word issue between us presently. However, I do quiet my soul before God, but the Holy Spirit is the one who does this.
Life is too hectic, too evil, too fast, too chaotic. I DEPEND on Him to slow me down, focus my soul and life--to keep me focused on Him so I can do the things He asks me to do.
This is about surrendering.
My life, my will, my emotions, my wants.
Often times I am the one making the noise inside my own life. Don't get me wrong, the side of the Accuser loves to hurl accusations and condemnation at me but I know, believe, and hear the promises of Jesus--there is no condemnation for those who are in Him.
Therefore, it comes down to simply a few things.
We either need to surrender our lives further to Him. We have too much inside of ourselves and the burden becomes too heavy. He says His load is light though. I have to give it all over to Him.
Or we need to battle in the Spirit against the enemy who seeks to distract us from the goodness of God.
He is faithful in these circumstances and every one beyond these. Turn to Him in earnestness and trust. Know that He has an amazing plan for your life. Trust the Holy Spirit to show you the way and do not quench Him when He asks things of you.
I love the insight here. Well, I was asking if I was misunderstanding the scripture, like is it literal or metaphorical? I can see an argument for both sides, but i don't know what is actually correct.
Tell me what Scripture you are trying to discern. I'm curious.
In my studies of the Scriptures, my walk on mission with Him, and basically life in general, I have found the more literal I hold what He says, the deeper the ride with Him goes in the greatest of ways.
Of course the Bible is FULL of all sorts of literary forms, but that is the Holy Spirit's depth and breadth. Parables are parables. Metaphors are metaphors. Etc.
I still take the Bible extremely literally. It is where I have grown so deep in my relationship with Him. Basically, I take God at His word.
Truly, trust the Holy Spirit with everything He says and asks of you.