When God Convicted Me About the Music I Listened To
“Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and
lead me in the way everlasting.”
- Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)
If you knew me before I found Christ, then you knew one thing for sure: I loved Rod Wave.
I could (and did) listen to him all day, every day, His voice, his lyrics, his pain – I felt like it understood me. I didn’t just listen to Rod Wave, I lived Rod Wave. I shared his music constantly, quoted his lyrics like scripture, bought (and made my own) t-shirts with his face on it, and would find joy every time I heard someone else playing his songs. It was that deep to me. It felt like a connection to people, to emotions, to something real. It felt like his music reflected my past and my present.
But early in my walk with God, He started pulling at my heart. One of the very first areas He convicted me in was my music.
God showed me something I hadn’t even realized, I was giving more time, more emotion, and more devotion to this artist who didn’t know me from a stranger on a sidewalk than I was giving to Him. I knew Rod’s whole shelf of music better than I knew the Word. I was creating an atmosphere filled with pain, sadness, and resentment – and calling it “relatable”.
God wasn’t punishing me. He was inviting me. Inviting me into a deeper place with Him. He was revealing areas of my life that needed realignment. He didn’t just want my church attendance or my quiet moments – He wanted my playlists, too. The things I let into my ears and heart mattered.
So I began to shift.
I started exploring Christian music – Elevation Worship, Maverick City Music, Brandon Lake, and so many others! And the more I listened, the more I began to hear. Not just good melodies, but the voice of God. Encouragement. Conviction. Peace. Joy.
It amazed me how often a song would carry the exact message I needed. A word for my spirit. A comfort for my heart. Songs started teaching me scripture. I could start quoting the exact Bible verse based on the lyrics in a song. Worship became more than music – it became warfare.
I’m not saying it was easy. I had to unlearn what comfort looked like. Rod Wave made me feel understood, but worship music made me feel seen. By God. And that difference changed everything. My spirit was becoming sensitive to things that were not of God. I became proud of that awareness.
Now, music is one of the many ways I meet God. Whether I’m driving, cleaning, or sitting in silence – there’s usually a song ministering to me. And every now and then, I still play a Rod Wave song. Except now I don’t listen for connection. I truly thank God for the conviction that freed me from a stronghold I wasn’t even aware of.
Music has power. It shapes our thoughts, our emotions, and even our spirits. And I’ve learned that what we feed ourselves spiritually matters more than we think.
🍃Challenge for Today:
This week, take a look at areas in your life that may be consuming a lot of your time – what you’re listening to, watching, or surrounding yourself with daily. Ask God:
“Is this drawing me closer to You?”
“Is this shaping my heart in a way that honors You?”
“Is there something You want me to let go of?”
Be still. He will answer.
And when He does – trust Him. His conviction isn’t meant to shame you; it’s meant to change you.
Let Him in – even through your playlists.
🙏🏽 Prayer:
Father,
Thank you for caring about the small things in my life, even down to what I consume and call entertainment. Open my heart to hear Your voice in the places I may be ignoring it. Convict me in love and help me surrender anything that is taking up space where You belong. Give me the courage to let go and the desire to want more of You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Let’s rise. Let’s renew. Let’s repeat – together.
