Ye Shall Know Them By Their Fruit

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"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." II Corinthians 11:13-15

God's word tells us that there are evil people that parade as if they are ministers, but the only way to see them for what they are is by their works evaluated though Scripture. A good tree does not bear bad fruit. In the area of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) what are some of the fruit that they display?

Amy Grant

Here are some of the fruit from Amy Grant

"I have a healthy sense of right and wrong, but sometimes, for example, using foul, exclamation-point words among friends can be good for a laugh."

"I want to be at the same level as Billy Joel, and the Doobie brothers"

"I'm a singer, not a preacher, I'm not looking to convert anybody."

"I'm not going to say too often that I like a cold beer while watching a football game. That might bother some of my fans."

"What we're trying to do is take Christian principles and make them understandable. Even if it doesn't say Jesus, it doesn't matter"

"Why isolate yourself? Your life isolates you enough. I'm isolated when I walk into a room and somebody says, "She's a Christian" and NOBODY OFFERS ME A JOINT and all the coke (cocaine) disappears..."

"I remember years ago — the first time I smelled anybody smoking a joint at a concert, I WAS THRILLED . . . it meant to me that obviously this person is not affected by the church peer pressure."

Sandi Patti

Sandi's album, LeVoyage, was so worldly that CCM Magazine (May 93 p.40) says "... old-line Patti fans are either going to be seeking refunds in droves, or be so flabbergasted at seeing an entirely new side of her ..."

One of the reasons I say it's so worldly is in the album Jesus is no where to be found.

Sandi Patti was committing adultery with Don Pesli as early as 1991! The article stated that, "According to several independent sources who at different times were aware of Patty's activities, she took part in two extramarital relationships, in both cases with married men." A large part of Sandi Patti's career she was committing adultery with married men!
Even though her husband was willing to forgive her and repair their damaged marriage Sandi divorced him and on August 6, 1995, she married Don Peslis, one of her adulterous partners.

"So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress:" Romans 7:3

In 1988, our family listened to Sandi Patti’s music. It was during this time that we noticed her the newer records contained less mentioning of the Lord in the dedication section. We decided to write a letter questioning this issue. Six months later we received a letter defending their actions of mentioning less of the Lord.

Kim Boyce

" I feel it doesn't matter what a song's message might be, as long as it comes from a Christian heart".

Michael English

In 1994, during the Gospel Music Association’s Dove Awards, Michael English walked away winning six Dove Awards including the prestigious artist of the year. Several days later, English confessed to an affair with Contemporary Christian trio First Call’s Marabeth Jordon. Jordan became pregnant with his child which later she lost in miscarriage. Both English and Jordan were married. These marriages ended in divorce. Just like the world, they were not willing to repair their damaged marriages. After this, he started wearing long hair and now is opening for the secular group Foreigner! God’s word tells us:

“Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?" I Corinthians 11:14

In Jerry Rubin's book, "Do It", he says: "Young kids identify short hair with authority, discipline, unhappiness, boredom, rigidity, hatred of life -- and long hair with letting go, letting your hair down, being free, being open"

Raze

Founder and former dancer for Carman, Ja' Marc Davis of the group Raze was arrested and charged with:

● Five counts of lewd molestation

● Three counts of rape by instrumentation

● Three counts of forcible sodomy.

His three victims were ages 13 and 16. While Raze was singing for the Lord, the lead singer was involved in sodomy with young girls! A penalty guilty of death or life imprisonment a generation ago A short time after Davis was arrested for molesting a 13-year-old girl, the Dove awards honored Raze with two Dove Awards! The president of the Gospel Music Association Frank Breeden said, "If Raze should win, it would go to them." His remarks of Davis's child molestation, rape and sodomy charges were simply a "moral difficulty". This is an example of no conviction to the standards of the Word of God that the music industry has. They have called evil good and given honor to those who live in iniquity.

Stryper

The 1980's were rocked by the Christian metal band Stryper. The group dressed up wearing lip gloss, eye shadow, earrings, and other women’s styles, mocking God’s word: "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God." Deuteronomy 22:5

Stryper's perversion of "Christian" music won them CCM-record-breaking, two platinum and four gold records! These are just a few quotes from the group Stryper:

"As a matter of fact, the band was one thing that was making us turn and walk the opposite direction from Christianity. . . If you’re doing something you like doing, and God says not to do it then you’re not going to pay attention."

Tim Gaines of Stryper, revealed to HM magazine, "From the end of 1988 'til February of this year [1997], I was drunk every day." While Stryper was performing Christian concerts, Tim Gaines was drunk every day!

"To be honest, Stryper wasn't what we should have been spiritually speaking... there was sin happening in the band. . . And the reason why it was happening is because we didn't know the Lord like we should have."

"We're not religious fanatics who are trying to convert everybody we meet. . .We honestly believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior, but we're about the most unreligious Christian band you could imagine. . ."

Conclusion

These are just a few of the many who have sold out their testimonies (of those who actually belong to the Lord) and made their lives shipwrecked for fame and fortune. They are not winning the world but confusing the young and weak Christians who are trying to justify their worldly music. At best they are serving the Lord with one foot in the world.

"For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them. O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!.... For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges." Deuteronomy 32:28-31

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