Song lyrics can significantly impact us. It is a love song that makes you think of your one and only. An anthem that motivates you to complete your workout. Or a song that sparks fond memories of a lost loved one. Christian music is no different.
Christian music has always been a powerful way of expressing our spiritual beliefs, touching our hearts, and inspiring our faith. The lyrics of most Christian songs have a depth of meaning that goes beyond the music, resonating with us on a spiritual level. They express heartfelt worship and messages of redemption, grace, comfort, and hope that resonate deeply within us.
Christian music helps us worship, feeds our spirit, and encourages us to live out our faith with courage. The power of lyrics has shaped Christian music and will continue to be a driving force in sharing the message of God's love and transforming lives worldwide.
Christian music also fosters a sense of community and unity among believers. When people sing these songs, they express shared beliefs and experiences, fostering a sense of togetherness. Music encourages believers to stand together, united in faith and purpose. Our staff discusses the impact of lyrics on Christian music and how they affect them.
Challenge To Look Inward
Some of the best songs in Christian music history call us to examine our sinful natures and the faults resulting from them. Songs like Christian artist Charlie Peacock's "In The Light," made famous by the iconic Christian band DC Talk, examine our tendencies toward selfishness and sin and show that even as followers of Christ, we still need a savior. Christian rock veterans Downhere's "The Problem" takes a tongue-in-cheek jab at Christians who point blame at everything and everyone for the many problems in our world but never take the time to look inward. As the song sings, "The sooner you can sing this song, the happier we'll be."
While music must inspire and encourage, Christians can often lose the plot and view God as just some author in the sky mindlessly moving us about like pieces on a chess board. Some of the best lyrics in Christian music remind us that God has given us the challenge to advance His kingdom. While He will supply the grace needed to overcome the sins, vices, and challenges that stand in our way, we also need to try to cooperate with that grace, choose to continue to follow Him, and do the things required for that. - J.J. Francesco
Joy
Music has a beautiful way of lifting our spirits and breaking off heaviness from our hearts. We know scripture tells us that God inhabits our praises, and His presence is full of joy. One of my favorite things to experience through music is the power of joy. A joy that rises above whatever is happening around me. A joy that chooses to see beyond limitations and momentary frustrations. A joy that becomes a weapon in a world that has lost its way. The joy of the Lord is our strength, and when we listen to music that is lyrically laced with truth, it can set off joy bombs in our lives that obliterate the enemy and make way for kingdom living—a life filled with joy. - Janice Henriquez
Breakthrough
The power of song lyrics is a beautiful thing. Especially in Christian music, so much honesty, hope, and breakthrough happen when these lyrics move from our ears to our hearts. Countless times through song lyrics, I've seen who I truly am, the good and the bad. I’ve seen who God truly is through all my ups and downs. Songs like "Stay" by emerging artist Seph Schlueter impacted me at a time when I felt too broken and alone. I knew I was struggling, but I didn't know how much I needed to call God for His truth to replace that lie in my heart. The lyrics "Don't let me push you away, I need You, and I know, as long as You stay, I'm going to be okay, the wind can blow, but I won't break" brought me to tears and a new vulnerability with God that He used to bring me closer to Him and His healing. These lyrics are truths that breakthrough and draw us closer to the Father in every season we may be going through. - Bradden Ford
Connection
Song lyrics are powerful in bringing people together and letting them know they’re not alone in their struggles. They put emotions and feelings into words that we otherwise thought there were no words for. It’s that moment you get in your car, and the right song comes on at the right time. Sometimes, we feel like no one else can imagine how we think, but then you find that perfect song with intricately woven lyrics that are as if it was written just for you. Those are the moments I realize that God is using music as His voice to speak to me. Famous Christian pop artist TobyMac’s song "Faithfully" perfectly describes how I felt after the most challenging season of my life. - Felicia Holt
Hope
If there’s one thing that sets Christian music apart from other mainstream genres, it’s the way it brings hope to the questions and struggles being explored. Every song leads to a God who loves, cares, heals, restores, and turns ashes into beauty. That’s why when I hear songs like contemporary artist Brandon Heath’s "Scars," I pause, holding back tears, realizing that someone else is carrying wounds. Wounds that need the hope of Jesus Christ to heal entirely and become part of our story for life. Jesus understands our pain because “even [He] had scars that never went away.”
- Kevin McNeese
Encouragement
I’ve personally struggled with depression, worry, and anxiety. “Hold On” by Christian pop artist Katy Nichole gives me hope and reminds me not to give up. I listen to it daily to remind me of how God feels about me. Katy hopes to pass on the life-giving message of Jesus Christ. As Katy so powerfully urges in this song, "Just wait 'til you see what's at the end of the road/A new life is ready to unfold." Allow the Holy Spirit to cast the light of life into your mortal bodies. If you’re struggling with depression, please know with certainty these life-giving words: “Your promise, it still stands/It's chasing after me/The rainbow through storm clouds/Is how I'm gonna see/That there is a light waiting up ahead.” This song has become my anthem, and I sing along at the top of my lungs to the sincere and passionate lyrics of submission: “Just wait ‘til you see what’s at the end of the road, a new life is about to unfold/Hold on just a little bit longer, I know it’s gonna be okay, these days are gonna make you stronger, there’s purpose in pain.” Amen to that. - Kevin Davis
Assembled from the four corners of North America and many other corners in between, the NRTeam comprises staffers whose energy is equally dispersed towards loving and writing about the music they love.
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