Music/Taking God's Name in Vain

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perhaps not the most urgent thread, but if anyone could help it be great:)

some songs i like seem to take God’s name in vain, which bothers me, although i’'m confused as to what that really is. Example, this song “tilt” by wild sweet orange that says:
The lights strung out across the yard
remind me of a time when I tried
to be a light, ya know, god I try to shine.
But the cross seems so high tonight
and glory I can’t find.
Oh could you tilt in so you’re leaning down
or would you pull me back inside…
Click to expand...
songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858695318/

i really like how honest it sounds, and the music of course!

but i was just wondering if it would be taking God’s name in vain somehow (i ask cause i’m not sure what taking God’s name in vain is! but that’s for another thread:D )

anyway, thanks to anyone who took the time to read this, God bless :tiphat:
 
just thought i’d add, the above song also says “why do i fight the good times like im sure that i’ll be damned?”

just wondering if lyrics like that would be problamatic.

good day =)
 
Ask yourself the intention of the song’s lyrics. If the singer is using God’s name as a swear, or an exclamination or he’s trying to be “edgey” then by all means its taking God’s name in vain. If he’s using it as a prayer or a request for help then he isnt’.
 
I don’t think it matters.

If you are comfortable in listening to it, then, listen to it. :yup: Besides, whether that particular song takes God’s name in vain, that’s up to your own interpretation of it, unless it’s obvious.

I personally don’t mind such songs, but I guess others do. 🤷

Ironically Yours, Blade and Blood
 
Yeah, I worry about this myself. And it sometimes seems like it just isn’t a coincidence that some of the most alluring songs are the ones that have cursing in them.

There’s one I loved listening to. It had this techno beat to it, and it really got me in a drawing mood and pumped me up (I’m an artist), but I stopped listening to it because I could no longer lie to myself that it was ok to hear “Christ’s sake” mixed in with some other vulgar words. The song was addictive and the lyrics really matched the beat, but I knew it was probably blasphemous to be listening to it.

Some might think it’s a matter of perspective, but how can it be when it’s so obviously wrong. If it had meant Christ’s sake in a good way it would have been obvious, but the song was using it as an exclamation.

My advice is, if it feels wrong and your conscience is alerting you or you suddenly don’t feel comfortable listening to the song, even if you were initially, then stop listening to that particular song. It could very well be the Holy Spirit or your guardian angel trying to move you so you either drop the song, or choose something else that’s right for you and healthy for your soul or at least not damaging to it.

I would love to believe that music is ALWAYS morally neutral, no matter what the lyrics are saying but it’s just not that simple to me. Others may be willing to compromise, but if I feel I’m being spiritually influenced or compromised by a song, how can I continue listening to it? It’s obviously not good for me.

I’ve had to give up a few songs I liked over this very topic, and it’s a shame, because those songs gave me pep and energy, and I need that when drawing. But, it’s a sacrifice I was willing to make if it meant I was spiritually better off, and more over, not offending our Lord. I offend Him enough with my other sins, I don’t need to do it with music as well.
 
Music is not always morally neutral, sad to say. (except perhaps strictly instrumental pieces)

Lyrics are meant to provoke a response. When a lyric uses the Lord’s name in vain i.e. “God ****”, “Jesus Christ!”, etc. in order to make a point other than to glorify the Lord, it’s morally unacceptable.

It’s frustrating to me how some otherwise good songs or artists feel a need to throw in such blasphemy or indifference to our Lord’s name. Same with other profanity.

I like The Who, and in particular the song “Who are you?”. Take out one word, used in several places, and it’s a great song. Otherwise, it’s a song that I can and will not share with my kids.

I guess I’m at the age where it’s no longer cutesy or funny to hear profanity in music. The older one gets, I suppose, the more respect one has for artists of different flavors whether it be on canvas, in music or in performance who choose to rely on real talent rather than shock value.
 
Where the word God is used put your name in there, or your mothers name, or someone else you care about.

Then ask you self if it’s ok with you to use your name or your mothers name in such a way? Or ask yourself does putting a name in even make sense? In your example:

The lights strung out across the yard
remind me of a time when I tried
to be a light, ya know, Jill I try to shine.
But the cross seems so high tonight

A name doesn’t even make sense in that sentence, so why use God?

Or how about, “OH MY JILL”. Wouldn’t that get kind of old after while?

We need to stop using God and His name for such stupid things.
 
Are any of you familiar with the bands, The Format, or Jack’s Mannequin?*

The lead singer of Fun., Nate Ruess (composer of Some Nights, We are Young) uses God’s name in the song called The first Single, by his old band called the Format.

I can’t stand to think about
A heart so big it hurts like hell
Oh my God I gave my best
But for three whole years to end like this

Well do you want to fall apart
I can’t stop if you cant start
Do you want to fall apart
I could if you can try to fix what I’ve undone
Cause I hate what I’ve become

You know me,
Oh you think you do you, you just dont seem to see
I’ve been waiting all this time to be
Something I can’t define so let’s
Cause a scene
Clap our hands and stomp our feet or something
Yeah something
I’ve just got to get myself over me…

The next artist is Jack’s Mannequin (Andrew McMahon) in the song , “Kill the Messenger”

Oh my God, this hurts like hell
I had that dream again where
I was lost for good in outer space
Tell me, doctor, how to shake
A waking nightmare that is only
Worse when I am sleeping

Kill the messenger
I swear it’s not me
It’s just someone I used to know
And get to church cause you’re a good girl
And he never told you that
And all I need from you
Could be the thing that
Leaves us both up here forever
I’m gonna send a little rain your way
I’m gonna send a little rain…

What about these songs? I covered both of them, and I don’t know if God’s name is taken to the level of Blaspheming God (mortal sin), or just to show someone’s problems.

And is it a mortal sin if I cover these songs?

I am scrupulous and have OCD, so I wasn’t sure if doing this was a sin, since they are the words of another expressing their feelings.*
 
mleonetti1991 said:
Are any of you familiar with the bands, The Format, or Jack’s Mannequin?**

The lead singer of Fun., Nate Ruess (composer of Some Nights, We are Young) uses God’s name in the song called The first Single, by his old band called the Format.

I can’t stand to think about
A heart so big it hurts like hell
Oh my God I gave my best
But for three whole years to end like this

Well do you want to fall apart
I can’t stop if you cant start
Do you want to fall apart
I could if you can try to fix what I’ve undone
Cause I hate what I’ve become

You know me,
Oh you think you do you, you just dont seem to see
I’ve been waiting all this time to be
Something I can’t define so let’s
Cause a scene
Clap our hands and stomp our feet or something
Yeah something
I’ve just got to get myself over me…

The next artist is Jack’s Mannequin (Andrew McMahon) in the song , “Kill the Messenger”

Oh my God, this hurts like hell
I had that dream again where
I was lost for good in outer space
Tell me, doctor, how to shake
A waking nightmare that is only
Worse when I am sleeping

Kill the messenger
I swear it’s not me
It’s just someone I used to know
And get to church cause you’re a good girl
And he never told you that
And all I need from you
Could be the thing that
Leaves us both up here forever
I’m gonna send a little rain your way
I’m gonna send a little rain…

What about these songs? I covered both of them, and I don’t know if God’s name is taken to the level of Blaspheming God (mortal sin), or just to show someone’s problems.

And is it a mortal sin if I cover these songs?

I am scrupulous and have OCD, so I wasn’t sure if doing this was a sin, since they are the words of another expressing their feelings.

I love both those songs. I’m a huge Jack’s Mannequin fan especially. I wouldn’t think that much of it. Pretty sure Andrew McMahon is fairly religious anyway. I doubt they are intending anything bad about the Lord with those lyrics, or meaning to offend him. Considering he is “hurting,” he may just be calling out to God. That’s one of my favorite JM songs. Glad to see another fan on the site!
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