Should Christians listen to secular music?

Worship music on your wedding night? I don’t think so, says musician and worship pastor, Samuel Nwachukwu, otherwise known as Calledout Music. Our playlists should not be explicit, vulgar or packed with filth, but music is a good gift from God, he says

As a worship pastor and musician, the question I get asked most often by our highly excited young adult congregation is: “Can Christians listen to secular music?” They give me this inquisitive look, which tells me that my answer may define their whole viewpoint on this matter. I never answer with a blanket statement. Instead, I prefer to delve deeper into their heart posture.

If this is your first time hearing the word ‘secular’, let me help you with a straightforward definition: ‘Secular’ music isn’t written or performed specifically to praise God or to be sung in church for personal or collective devotional time. For example, Matt Redman’s ‘10,000 reasons’ (the song you’re playing right now) = Christian music. Spice Girls ‘Wannabe’ (the one you’re playing in your head right now) = secular. Get it? Sweet.