“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn — shout for joy before the LORD, the King.” (Ps 98:4-6 NIV)
Music has always been an integral part of my life. My Mom told me that I was humming and trying to sing long before I could talk. Throughout my years on this planet, I have heard the harmonies of sound in nature and virtually everything around me. It is as if I can hear heavenly choirs singing deep within my mind. Songs and melodies come to me all day long. It is natural for me to harmonize my voice to the sounds I hear.
I joined various choirs and vocal groups during my school years. As a soloist, I did some musical theater and sang in a rock band. I remember being given a choice to either go to Bible school or make a career in music. I chose Bible School and have never regretted it to this day. I still sing and make melodies in my heart to the Lord, and I easily get lost in intimacy with Jesus as I worship Him through music. I truly understand how the Angels in Heaven can sing God’s praises forever and ever.
There has been a growing interest in the healing ability of music within the church. That has led some to explore ancient religious music traditions and practices as people seek supernatural encounters and deeper intimacy with God.
Music can be defined as an arrangement of notes into a melodious and harmonious structure having a defined construction and phrasing which is pleasing to the ear. God is the creator of all things, including music. He even created human beings with a musical instrument in their body called vocal cords.
God created the enemy with vocal cords, but also, He gave his body timbrels and pipes to make musical rhythm and sounds (See Ezekiel 28:13-15). The Bible says that when the enemy is finally cast into the pit, his music will also be cast down (See Isaiah 14:11). It is obvious that the enemy is very aware of the spiritual power of music. The deceiver knows better than anyone that music connects people to the spiritual realm.
Sound Healing
Music has healing and restorative power and has been used as a catalyst to deeper insight, wisdom, transformation, and healing in many ancient and modern cultures because it is believed that sound acts as a direct channel into the emotions and inner being.
In the Bible, it is revealed that David, the future king of Israel, used a musical harp to soothe King Saul's fits of manic depression (See 1 Samuel 16:23).
Some scientific studies have found that music can be therapeutic because the vibrations of sound can lower blood pressure, relax the wave patterns of the Brain, and reduce respiration, which helps reduce the release of stress hormones.
One ancient religious practice - predating Judaism and Christianity - called “sound healing,” or “sounding,” has been passed down through the centuries. It is taught that life is rhythm and matter is structured by sound because rhythmic sound, vibration, and harmonics are at the root of all creation.
Within the Occult, it is believed that the vibration of music and sound - as well as the spoken word - has the power to shape reality by restoring heath and relieving pain because they can align with the energy that is the source of the universe.
Scientific studies have shown that sound can help the body boost natural opiates and Endorphins such as Serotonin, Dopamine, and Melatonin. This can cause feelings of elation and euphoria as it masks emotional and physical pain. However, in actuality, it acts more like a placebo as it distracts the mind from focusing on a stressful event or situation.
Musical Mantras
Within the Occult, it is taught that sound can release and allow the natural flow of healing energy to move through the body. This is similar to, and a variation of the Hindu “mantra,” which are words or vowels that are sounded repetitively aloud or inwardly in a steady rhythm.
For centuries manmade religions have used variations of mantric chanting to help induce a “relaxation” response by causing a reduction of the heartbeat, brain waves, and respiration. It is believed that chanting creates a pathway to higher states of consciousness.
Another Occult practice active today is called “Toning,” which is used to restore balance to parts of the human body by sounding the correct vibration through resonance and harmonics.
It is clear that within Occult teaching that “toning” and “mantras” are intended to stir up a deity (aka - satan/demons!) to become one with the person (i.e., possess!) and the higher energies of that deity will unite with the chanter.
Nowhere in the Bible are Christians commanded to “chant” prayers or praises to God for healing or any other purpose. Using the repetition of simple vowels or “toning” sounds is a forbidden practice that will only open up the Christian to demonic attack and bondage.
The Bible says that Jesus is the true healer. He shed His precious blood to pay the cost of healing for every Christian (See Isaiah 53:5). It is God’s will that every Christian walks in divine health. Christian’s don’t need to use Occultic methods to receive healing. It comes via trusting in Jesus alone and not through any ritual or ancient religious practice (See Exodus 15:26, Psalm 103:3, Matthew 8:7).
Water Wonders
In the 1960’s Dr. Hans Jenny conducted experiments that showed that sound could alter the molecular structure. He was able to create forms in various substances such as plastics, powders, liquids, and water. Using the sound made from a crystal oscillator, he would vibrate a steel plate at different frequencies. The vibration would cause the various substances to take on organic looking shapes, much like microscopic organisms. He called his work Cymatics.
Dr. Masuru Emoto of Japan demonstrated that water molecules are affected by sound, as well as the intent of a person’s thoughts or feelings. Using a high powered camera and lens, Dr. Emoto found that clean water looked like a snowflake, and polluted water looked like mud. In numerous tests, he would have a religious priest chant over the polluted water, and the water would take on the snowflake effect of pure water.
This, of course, is very interesting. However, if God wanted Christians to speak or “chant” over polluted water to make it pure, He clearly would have made it known in the Bible. What the Bible does make known is that only Jesus offers the purest water of life (See Jeremiah 2:13, John 4:10).
Brain Washing
The Bible says that it is the the Holy Spirit who helps:
“our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26 KJV)
The etymology of the word “groanings” in the Greek language means to sigh, murmur, or pray silently. It does not mean that one should use guttural sounds or “toning” to evoke healing or even to worship God.
Daily sanctification means that God does a thorough washing of the Brain and a cleansing of the mind. Every Christian has the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16 NIV). The word “mind” includes the thought of spiritual perception and understanding. However, it does not mean that a Christian can “speak”’ a thing into existence - such as healing - or even become as God.
It is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit to transform a brand new Christian by “the renewing” of their mind at the moment of salvation (See Romans 12:2). This mental transformation gives the Christian the ability to know, and understand God’s way of doing things, and seeing things, from His perspective.
The Bible doesn’t say that people can hear “toning” or humming, or groaning “From the ends of the earth,” but rather, “we hear singing: "Glory to the Righteous One" (Isaiah 24:16 NIV).
A New Song
Everyone who has been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb by placing their Trusting-Faith in Jesus is given a “new song” to sing and a new melody to play - not the continuation of empty ancient religious acts tied to the worship of demonic idols (See Psalm 33:1-4, 40:1-3, 96:1-4, 98:1-9).
It is the “ransomed of the LORD “ who will “enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away” (Isaiah 35:10 NIV). The great Creator, God of the Universe, “rejoices” over every Christian “with singing” (Zepheniah 3:17 NIV).
In the dungeons of prison, Paul and Silas “were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them” (Acts 16:25-26 NIV). They weren’t beating drums or chanting harmonic tones.
The Bible says that the redeemed SING to the Lord using words:
"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals because you were slain, and with your blood, you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth." (Revelation 5:10 NIV)
The music of Heaven resounds with the VOICES of “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them” as they sing the eternal song:
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" …“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" (Revelation 5:13 NIV)
Throughout all of eternity, the Song of the Lamb will be sung by voices filled with worship and adoration:
"Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the ages. Who will not fear you, O Lord, and bring glory to your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed." (Revelation 15:3-4 NIV)
When Christians gather together the Bible doesn’t say that they should beat drums, or chant breath prayers, or make only melodious “tones” - they are commanded to share “a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation” (1 Corinthians 14:26 NIV) in order to “teach and admonish one another with all wisdom” as they “sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” in praise and gratitude to God (Colossians 3:16-17 NIV; see also Ephesians 5:19-20).
The “season of singing has come” because the great lover of the human soul shed His precious blood for the forgiveness of sin. (Song 2:10-12 NIV)
