SCRIPTURE:  It is better to listen to the rebuke of the wise man and pursue wisdom than for one to listen to the song of fools and pursue stupidity. Ecclesiastes 7:5 AMP

THOUGHT: Our pastor preached from Ephesians a couple of weeks ago and he said something that struck me, a music-lover from the get-go. He talked about singing being the mark of a believer, a mark of joy, and a mark of a Spirit-filled life. I’d just never thought of it that way. Paul tells the Ephesians, “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts (Eph 5:18-19 NLT).”

Today’s passage from Ecclesiastes caught my attention this week and I’ve been thinking about “the song of fools” since. Being a music-lover, of course I’ve heard those songs, and I used to love them, and I can tell you about their power as the lyrics go ‘round in your head, creating desire for things you don’t have, inviting you to imagine things you don’t need to imagine and to do things you might not otherwise do. I’ve seen such songs play a part in distancing my soul from God.

In short, I can honestly say songs have helped me me pursue stupidity – and that’s how to ID the song of a fool: what does it lead you to? No one can shrug and tell me, “oh, it’s just a song.” Even Solomon, who lived about 3,000 years ago, knew the power of words and music. Paul, chiming in a mere 2,000 years ago, offered this alternative to the song of fools: songs, hymns, and spiritual songs that keep our eyes on God, the one who places wisdom in our innermost being (Ps. 51:6). That’s a pretty good tradeoff – wisdom instead of stupidity.

Excuse me while I go make a little melody in my heart to the Lord.

PRAYER: Oh God, I’m so grateful for all the artists who use their gifts to point us toward you through songs, hymns, and spiritual songs. And although the song of fools has fooled me in the past, I’m grateful you’ve shown me a better melody.