Elder Brandon M. Smith is the pastor of Grace Covenant Community Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He is also the Community Liaison for Louisiana State University, also located in Baton Rouge. He is married to the lovely and talented, Rachanda Wilson and they have three beautiful children. For more information and ministry updates, visit the website at www.gracecovenantbr.org and sign up for an encouraging word with “Moment of Grace” on their Facebook page at Grace Covenant Community Church.

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I listen to Gospel music every day—on the car radio, Pandora, iTunes, you name it. I firmly believe that music creates a sacred space for devotion and reflection. These poignant moments are critical to my daily walk of faith. For this reason, I find myself becoming more selective of the music that enters my ears. A catchy phrase is cool; but I need a transformative, Bible-based message. Everyone likes a good beat; but I need more than a jingle. This is what should make Gospel music different—the declaration of The Good News through song. 

Regrettably, I’m not sure that everything we label Gospel meets the bar. While change does not always translate to wrong I have observed a noticeable shift in lyrical content. As a child, I remember riding in my mother’s station wagon and singing songs that didn’t register at the time.  But over the years, obscure verses and choruses began to resonate as my faith matured. In them were Biblical truths—narratives which told of God, His Works, and His Glory. Today, I realize that Gospel music introduced me to Jesus. Sure, I heard the scary “fire and brimstone” sermons from time to time, but they never had a lasting impact. Gospel songs, however, continue to live in my heart.

Take a closer look at Gospel music. Conduct an inventory of your playlist. Here are a few questions I’d like you to ask yourself:

1)   Is the song directly connected to The Scriptures? When reading scriptures, I am still amazed when I run across exact lyrics (or discover a story) of a song I’ve long known. Of course, most songs have at least one line that can be traced to a scripture, but God’s music should be more than general concepts extrapolated from very specific Scripture. God and His Word are one.

2)   Who is the focus of the song? This one might get me into trouble, but ‘how much does the song focus on people (including the singer him or herself)?’ We all have a story and certainly our testimonies can build other believers. The primary focus of true Gospel music is Christ. Jesus himself told us that “if [HE] is lifted up, [HE] will draw all men (John 12:32, KJV).” If we celebrate Him, our songs will bring sinners to repentance… and salvation is something to sing about!

3)   Is the song life-giving…or just about life? Again, we all have a story—the good, the bad, and the ugly. So undoubtedly, there will be songs that grab us at the heartstrings. But Gospel music should elicit more than an emotional response; it has the distinct responsibility to lead listeners to Biblical solutions. 

I should offer a disclaimer before I finish: I am not targeting a particular song or artist. I am, however, attempting to provoke serious thought and meaningful discussion on the lyrical content of what we refer to as Gospel music. Furthermore, we should not relegate Gospel music to types and genres. It is easy to marginalize a song because you don’t like how it sounds. Believers must listen for what the song says. In Romans 10:17, the Apostle Paul says it best. We are assured that “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the [preached] Word of God” (NKJV). Let our music be an extension of God. As beats get “stuck in our heads,” let us present a message that plants itself in the hearts of mankind. Music is a powerful medium tool. Let’s maximize it to share the message of Jesus Christ.