On Love Songs and Faithful Romance

Commuting and hearing music are becoming two inseparable daily activities, most especially when one uses public transportation. A passenger only gets to control his background music when he shuts the world out by putting some earphones on. But then, at lunch time or so, the cafeteria would be playing some music too. It seems that hearing unwanted music is inescapable.

What aggravates this musical situation is when there’s a very fancy tune so lovely to listen to, so easy to follow, and yet the lyrics are so heart-depraving.

Take the case of a simple young lady who hears a song about a girl who constantly remembers a guy who is already committed to another, and just how those thoughts persisted, and that the singer began to question why those feelings are wrong.

Then the listener is reminded how she has come to liked a married man, and without warning, almost no effort on her part, the song has actually described and put into words what she thought she was feeling all along. So heartbroken.

Or how about a responsible husband who hears of a song about a man singing that it was sad to belong to someone else because he thought that the right one has just come along? And in one sitting, somewhat like a medley, the following song segued into a question: ‘Why did you come just now in my life?’

The concept of personal happiness is all of a sudden in the spotlight, and the fear of God seems to be out of the picture.

Let it be known that music is a form of meditation, and lyrics are but words being memorized and rehearsed.

When confronted and bothered by these ill-hearted suggestions, then there’s only one thing to do for the Christian: Confess the Word.

How can any person stay pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. With my lips I recite all the laws that come from your mouth. ^{(Psalms 119:9-10,13)}

For every lie the seducer throws at the faithful, it should be faced head on with a corresponding Bible verse. There is no better way than this.^[1] No amount of human reasoning, or strength of character can truly prevail against the wiles of the enticer. There is a need to consciously take those expressions besieging the soul, capture every thought, and make each one submissive to the Lordship of Christ.^[2]

Truly, a cord of three strands can't be broken, and that third strand is God.^[3] He completes and fulfills the equation of true love and affection. The Lover of our soul is the center of every relationship. Commitments evolve and revolve around Him.

My personal happiness is nothing compared to the joy of my personal Lord, because the joy of the Lord is my strength.^[4]

He gives me strength to do the right thing, the strength to love the right person – my spouse, my covenant partner.^[5] The Lord gives me enough strength of character and willpower to make this love last for a lifetime no matter what.

Apart from Him, I don’t have a lifetime love to pursue. If my relationship with God is not right, then how can I make other relationships right? If my relationship with God is hurting, then it would be just easy for me to try and fill this emptiness in my heart with any other “love” that presents itself. It’ll be another error that doesn’t make any right, but just more wrongs and heartaches.

So the next time those love songs are played, have a wise and vigilant heart. Don’t be passive; be reactive. It’s God’s words against theirs.

Those feelings and thoughts will soon pass away. But if they delay, then it’s time to linger longer in the presence of the Lover of our souls.

^{*Notes/Verses:}

^{[1] The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'" (Luke 4:3-4 NIV)}

^{[2] We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV)}

^{[3] Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:12 NIV)}

^{[4] Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV)}

^{[5] You ask, "Why?" It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant. (Malachi 2:14 NIV)}