SOUNDS

By Alagbe Shenayon

I was deeply engaged in worship with the Holy Spirit during one of my sessions with Him, and my focus shifted to "sounds." I felt compelled to jot down a few thoughts about sounds.

Sounds are one of the ways through which we can connect with God. They can take the form of songs or simple murmurs, such as "ah ah ah" or "eh eh eh." The primary purpose of sounds is to draw us into intimacy with the Spirit.

There was a movement that began or was initiated by someone who called themselves "marlians," which surprisingly became a recognized term in the Urban Dictionary. This movement started with just one individual and quickly gained momentum, becoming a collective group of people.

Did you know that sounds have the potential to heal or transform someone's life? 1 Samuel 16:16, 23 explains this well. Even Elisha's prophetic effectiveness was enhanced by a minstrel.

Though the individual's name wasn't provided, we know from 2 Kings 3:15b that "...when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon..."

It's important to be mindful of the songs we sing, as they can either nurture our spiritual growth or hinder it. As I mentioned before, "Not all songs sung in church aid our spiritual growth."

Have you ever noticed that sometimes a song may play in your mind even without actively listening to it? This is a result of how much exposure your soul has had to those songs, and interestingly, you cannot easily erase them from your mind.

A person (name withheld) shared with one of our team members, "There was a time in my life when I was instructed to consistently listen to a particular minister. Before then, I struggled with weaknesses in my body. I found it hard to pray, study, or live a righteous life. However, God saw my sincere heart and assigned this particular minister to me. So, I began listening to his sounds slowly and steadily..."

He continued, "Whenever I changed to a different sound, it felt off to my spirit. Sometimes, I would listen to the same sound for more than a month. My roommates would complain, but I knew what I was doing. I learned that every genuine spiritual sound has a specific purpose in a person's life."

"As time passed, I noticed a fire for prayer, study, and spending time in the secret place. I no longer struggle to hear God; it has become a part of me."

It's crucial to understand that whoever produces a song, sound, or plays an instrument acts as a priest, and the spirit they submit to influences their output. Would you continue to listen to songs approved by the devil?

Once, my younger brother and I were in front of a church, and some choir members came out after rehearsals. They were wearing earrings and sagging, and my brother jokingly remarked that they must be part of the teen choir. We laughed, but despite singing beautifully, their lifestyles may not emit the strong energy needed to positively impact people's lives.

Please note that sounds can either lead one into immorality or strengthen communion with God. God still speaks, but we can only hear Him if our ears are closed to noise (songs that do not edify our growth). May the Lord continue to strengthen you.

Ask yourself if the songs you've been listening to have contributed to your growth. Remember the scripture, "But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him." 2 Kings 3:15 KJV.