December 2003
Did you know that music has the power to alter your mood? A recent study published in the May 2003 issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found a link between listening to violent song lyrics and feelings of aggression and hostility. So all those hateful words in the music seem to actually contribute to your being angry and irritable toward your mother and baby brother!
This may be new information from a scientific standpoint, but it is old news to God! Philippians 4:8, 9b says, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things…And the God of peace will be with you."
If we think about, listen to, and let our minds dwell on things that are good…we will have more peace in our lives. Challenge yourself to consider the music and other media that you let your mind dwell on. Is it full of anger and violence… or peace?