What’s on Your Playlist?

“The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands… Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.” ~Psalm 135:15,18

I’m going to admit this here, and I know this might cause some controversy: I use Pandora for music streaming. I know there’s a lot of support for Spotify, less for Apple Music, and probably three dozen people planet-wide use Amazon Music, right? In any case, a couple of years ago I received a “Playback” review of my annual music choices. It listed for me the songs, genres, artists, and even the decade of music I listened to most that year. It was interesting to consider. But what it did next was most significant — it made music recommendations for me based on this data. It sifted through the millions of songs and thousands of artists and ”decided” I would likely enjoy listening to certain ones based on my apparent music preferences. And with this, my heart was revealed. 

The psalmist tells us that we become like that which we behold — a sentiment repeated in Psalm 115:4-8. The things we devote our attention, affection, time, and treasure to are the things to which we're being conformed. This subtle and hidden heart idolatry shapes us as people, as worshipers. Martin Luther defined idolatry this way: “Whatever your heart clings to and relies upon, that is your God.” Does this not aptly describe how many of us approach music? We find comfort in it, we long to listen to it, and we rely upon it for emotional support. We would do well to consider other forms of media. If our TV streaming services gave us an annual roundup, what would it reveal? How about our social media? What would your year-in-review show about your scrolling habits? Would you want the short videos you watch to be broadcast around for public consumption? 

There are two things we must hold together: First, we can’t afford to let our hearts drive our decisions about the things we listen to, watch, or consume. Our hearts are desperately wicked, foolish, and idolatrous—what John Calvin called perpetual idol factories. Just because we like a beat or enjoy a genre of movie doesn’t mean it’s good for us to consume. 

Second, we must be shaped in our thinking by what the Bible says is true, honorable, just, lovely, commendable, and excellent (Phil. 4:8). It is these things that draw our hearts heavenward, to the One who is Truth, who alone deserves all honor, who is just in His being, who is altogether lovely, whose works commend His glory to all creation, and who is excellent in all His words and works. 

Christian, what’s on your playlist, your watchlist, your search history? Will you find things that reflect the glory of Christ, after whose image you are being formed? Or things that bend your heart away from God, toward idols that are worthless? We will become that which we behold (2 Cor. 3:18). Let’s turn our eyes — and ears — upon Jesus, that we might behold Him, be made like Him, and learn to love Him as the chief delight of hearts that have been made new in Him.  

Rev. Kyle W. A. Lockhart, Pastor