CHAPTER 5 



			      PURE AND IMPURE ELEMENTS



	Let's talk about what pure and unpure elements in music might be.  The 

simplest way to approach this question might be by asking yourself this 

question: "What would the music of heaven be like?  What would totally pure, 

Godly music be?"  As you read the question, an answer pops into your mind.  Some 

would say, "It's classical", some would say "gentle, soft music", or "choirs of 

angels" or "a joyful noise", or "songs of worship".  Some may even say rock.  

Although this is all speculation, the probable truth is that all these and 

probably many more kinds of music could be totally pure and Godly.  For 

remember, it's not the substance of music which is holy, but the spirit of the 

music.  I could well imagine the music of heaven being comprised of many 

forms of music common to man, but performed and received in such a spirit 

of holiness and purity that the sound and feeling of it would transcend anything 

of earthly experience.  I don't believe the music of heaven will be much 

different from what we have here, except for that factor.  However, I don't 

believe we will necessarily have all styles of music that we have here, for some 

music styles that have been created by man have less capability to convey the 

anointing of God because of the wrong spirit of the music.  For extreme example, 

it's hard for me to imagine some kinds of "heavy metal" music in heaven, for , 

in my opinion, the spirit of that music is almost always wrong.  An so on down 

the line.  It's even probable that there will be varying degrees of skill and 

excellence in heaven, ranging from the most gorgeous voices to the most 

plain and gruff, BUT ALL WILL SOUND BEAUTIFUL!  I had an experience one time 

when members of a small home fellowship which I attend, were praying for me.  

Someone felt led of God for the whole group to sing in the Spirit over me, and 

as they did, God allowed me to hear their voices as He does.  From the lilting 

graceful voices of the women to the gruff, harsh voices of some of the men, all 

were beautiful beyond belief, for I was hearing their HEARTS, their love for me 

and God reflected in their singing.  I didn't hear their out-of-tuneness, or 

their lack of skill, I heard their hearts.  It was awesome.  I believe skill and 

excellence are important factors here on earth, because we are attracted to 

excellence and skill, and have less faculty to hear the heart in this dimension, 

but it may not be all that important in heaven.

	Now we must consider another factor: what may be ordained and used by 

God here in the earthly dimension could  be different in some cases from what 

we will hear in heaven, because in heaven we will be perfect and so will music.  

So some of the music that God may create through human vessels to accomplish His 

purposes in a fallen world, may not be acceptable fare in heaven.  Just as 

tongues, prophecy and other gifts shall cease because there will no longer be a 

need for them, so perhaps shall some  "Christian" music cease.  The main 

function of music in heaven will almost certainly be  to praise and worship God, 

and in fact in my many studies of music in the Word of God, I've never seen a 

biblical mention of music as entertainment.  Not to say that we shouldn't enjoy 

music, but it's main function from a biblical perspective is worship and 

praise, not entertainment.  You may say "What about spiritual warfare; 

music is a weapon of warfare".  No - praise and worship is a weapon of warfare, 

not music.  Praise went up before the armies of God, it many have been expressed

through music, but the power was in the praise.  And while we're at it, let's 

realize that when the kingdom is restored and God is once again all in all, we 

probably won't even have spiritual warfare choruses anymore, for the war will be 

over!  Many of the psalms, if sung at all, will probably only be sung as a 

testimony to the memory of the powerful work of Jesus among men!

	But now we live in an atmosphere of warfare, and as Satan is snatching 

souls away to hell with the power of music, so can God's musicians snatch them 

back through the power of God's music.  So you see, we have functions and 

purposes for music now that we won't have in heaven.  We need the songs of 

testimony, the evangelistic songs, the songs that encourage and uplift the down 

and broken hearted, that refresh the weary, and bring backsliders to repentance.  

And some of this music will not edify everyone, or even need to be a part of 

their lives.  But that does not necessarily mean it is "not of God".  For a 

young person coming out of a life of drugs, sex, alcohol, AC-DC, or Motley Crew 

music, Christian heavy metal could be a step up.  But for a young person raised 

as a Christian not having gone through these kinds of things, it could be a step 

backward.

	So once again, what is pure and what is not, and how do I tell?  Well, 

although the music in heaven would be totally pure, the criteria for purity here 

on earth would be largely a subjective matter of conscience.  Since no Christian 

is totally pure yet, and the world we live in is corrupt, what is pure and what 

is not is largely a judgement call.  Let's look now at a spiritual truth, the 

process that all Christians are going through.........................



(c)1998 Chuck Girard Ministries