Sacred Music: A Powerful Spiritual Weapon Against Evil

Sacred music is one of the most effective spiritual weapons provided by Heaven for subduing the enemy and securing victories in the Christian warfareEVRR190+1. It possesses a divine power to banish evil angels, impart courage to the despairing, and fix the truths of God's Word firmly in the memoryLDE 86.3+1.

Music as a Weapon in Battle

Throughout history, music has been strategically employed to overcome the forces of darkness and physical foes.

• Driving Back the Enemy: On one occasion, the Lord commanded the armies of Israel to go into battle preceded by singers and musical instruments; when the enemies heard the high praises of God, fear filled their hearts and they fledBDOC 4.6+1.

• Dispelling Evil Angels: During His earthly life, Jesus often expressed the gladness of His heart through psalms and heavenly songs, and this praise was observed to banish evil angels and fill His surroundings with a heavenly fragranceYI May 25, 1909, par. 9.

• Subduing Rebellion: Music has the power to subdue rude and uncultivated natures, quicken thought, and promote a harmony of action that strengthens the soul against temptationLDE 86.3.

Strengthening the Soul Against Temptation

Songs are a vital facility for resisting the assaults of Satan on the mind and heart.

• Resisting as Christ Resisted: When Christ was a child and faced temptation, the songs His mother taught Him would come into His mind, and He would lift His voice in praise to resist the enemyEv 498.2.

• Breaking the Power of Darkness: To a soul hard-pressed and ready to despair, the memory of a childhood song can cause temptations to lose their power and impart new meaning and purpose to lifeEd 168.1.

• Banishing Gloom: Lifting the soul to God in songs of thanksgiving is essential when perplexities or hindrances present themselves, as it banishes the gloom and foreboding that otherwise weaken spiritual effortLDE 86.3+1.

The Educational and Elevating Influence of Song

Sacred melody serves a holy purpose in the training and discipline of the Christian life.

• Fixing Truth in the Heart: Singing is one of the most effective means of impressing spiritual truth upon the heart and unsealing the springs of penitence and faithEd 168.1+1.

• The School of the Prophets: In the schools founded by Samuel, sacred music was a chief subject of study, used to lift the thoughts to that which is pure and noble and to awaken devotion to GodST June 22, 1882, par. 16+1.

• Heavenly Communion on Earth: By catching the themes of praise from the heavenly choir, our earthly homes are drawn closer to the heavenly singers, allowing heaven's communion to begin here on earthEd 168.4.

Practical Rules for Sacred Song

To be effective in the spiritual warfare, music must remain in harmony with divine principles.

• Avoid Frivolity: In the cultivation of sacred melody, flippant songs or frivolous music that extols man and diverts attention from God should be avoidedST June 22, 1882, par. 16+1.

• Sing with Understanding: Hearts must be in harmony with the words of the sacred song for the heavenly choir to join in the musicGW 357.1.

• Worship in Sincerity: Singing is just as much an act of worship as speaking; therefore, any eccentricities or stage-like performances that attract attention to the singer destroy the solemn impression intended by sacred musicMRQI 25.2.

While we are engaged in a lifelong struggle against a wily foe, we are encouraged to gladden our pilgrim life with music, for we shall finally enter the immortal reward with songs of victoryEVRR190+2. "O give thanks to the LORD; call on his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing to him, sing psalms to him: talk you of all his wondrous works" 1 Chronicles 16:8-9+1.