“We can view works of art and listen to music created by unbelievers without accepting their lifestyles and lessons.”
The problem is that their works give a natural man view of the world which seems like reality to our flesh, and that’s why Bible-believing churches started kicking out Exodus International - God’s Word on homosexuality seemed too hard to be true. Christians accept these works and the people behind them into their spiritual lives and the reap the fruit of spiritual rebellion sown by these works. Christians will angrily defend their watching Desperate House Wives and liking Michael Jackson’s or any other popular music, but what fellowship does the Holy Spirit have with this world’s entertainment and entertainers - for example, with Michael Jackson grabbing his private area while performing? He even said it seemed to naturally go with the music he was doing. Doesn’t discernment by God’s Spirit that this music came from God’s enemy? Christians will often find “redeeming” qualities Cont’d.
Discernment as given by the Holy Spirit does not buy into deviance, but separates it and runs away from it. So then, one may receive and enjoy the skills and talents of artists with thanksgiving while rejecting the deviance. In this way, despite their unbelief and service to their master, they ultimately serve me and my Master.
Under no circumstances should one accept deviant teaching/practice out of the fear of man. God’s Word is clear. In this area I fail daily. Confession of sin is in my breath until my baptism is complete. But I will also rejoice in this creation and partake of the gifts of the Creator with thanksgiving while I am here.
These are words upon which we may disagree, but I would prefer that we both take comfort in the atoning merits of Christ Jesus, and agree as much as possible in all things, speaking the same together.