MANTRA-LESS
First of all, don't be surprised if all the sudden in a conversation with me I start singing. This is probably due to the fact a word or phrase you just said triggered a song with the same word, phrase or sing-song voice you used - in it.
Secondly, don't be surprised if I sing a song for you or over your life - in front of you.
Thirdly, don't be surprised if I try to get you to join me in singing or playing one of many "air instruments" available to us.
Scripture says in Ephesians 5:18-19 - "be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord"
However, be sure that I will not be choosing repetitive songs that go on forever. True, there are certain things, like God's love enduring forever, that are emphasized by repetition in Scripture. There are ideas or even words that are said twice or three times to get a point across. But the whole Bible is not like that - thank The Lord! In fact, when you sing or when you speak to God, He encourages you to enter a NO BABBLING ZONE, which I include repetition in the definition of.
Scripture paints the picture of what NOT to do in our prayers, so how much more our songs to God and each other and just general speech.
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full." (Matthew 6:5)
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words." (Matthew 6:7)
"They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely." (Mark 12:40)
The Holy Spirit through Paul encourages us to keep variety in our prayers. So, how much more we should exercise this in music and regular speech.
Secondly, don't be surprised if I sing a song for you or over your life - in front of you.
Thirdly, don't be surprised if I try to get you to join me in singing or playing one of many "air instruments" available to us.
Scripture says in Ephesians 5:18-19 - "be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord"
However, be sure that I will not be choosing repetitive songs that go on forever. True, there are certain things, like God's love enduring forever, that are emphasized by repetition in Scripture. There are ideas or even words that are said twice or three times to get a point across. But the whole Bible is not like that - thank The Lord! In fact, when you sing or when you speak to God, He encourages you to enter a NO BABBLING ZONE, which I include repetition in the definition of.
Scripture paints the picture of what NOT to do in our prayers, so how much more our songs to God and each other and just general speech.
"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words." (Matthew 6:7)
"They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely." (Mark 12:40)
The Holy Spirit through Paul encourages us to keep variety in our prayers. So, how much more we should exercise this in music and regular speech.
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." (Ephesians 6:18)
Peter even shows the possibility of hindrances in your communication with God by not being a proper husband in Christ. So, watch your life, it watches over your words.
"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers." (1 Peter 3:7)
Like I have mentioned, I understand that in Scripture repetition is used for emphasis and strong emphasis at times. I also realize that in the music realm repetition comes as an artistic expression of emphasis many times. However, I have witnessed many times in concerts and church services the nauseating, never-ending LOOP of a part of song or the entire song. It is at this point it has crossed the line and become a Mantra and that is what I am trying to steer us away from.
Do we think that saying something on the 5011th time will manifest something or prompt God to move as opposed to the very first time we prayed or sang? I think there is a fine line between persistence, passion and repetition (mantra). But the line is there and it is being mowed over. Please let us become Mantra-less!
Like I have mentioned, I understand that in Scripture repetition is used for emphasis and strong emphasis at times. I also realize that in the music realm repetition comes as an artistic expression of emphasis many times. However, I have witnessed many times in concerts and church services the nauseating, never-ending LOOP of a part of song or the entire song. It is at this point it has crossed the line and become a Mantra and that is what I am trying to steer us away from.
Do we think that saying something on the 5011th time will manifest something or prompt God to move as opposed to the very first time we prayed or sang? I think there is a fine line between persistence, passion and repetition (mantra). But the line is there and it is being mowed over. Please let us become Mantra-less!
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