Fallen Rock Stars
Greetings in the Lord!
I'm a Generation X-er, which basically means I grew up with what is now called "Classic Rock." I remember when John Bonham of Led Zeppelin died, and of the whole occult heyday prevalent in rock music at that time, and afterwards. I remember my brother saying, "Let's play this record backwards and see if we can hear messages," and we'd spin it around counter-clockwise to hear weird, unintelligible noise. I recall leafing through the guitar and heavy metal magazines that my brother got and crinkling my nose at all the dark, occult images that many bands used to promote themselves. He would tell me of all the bands that worshipped Satan publicly, onstage at times, and of how they lived their lives offstage--drinking, drugging, orgies and the like, usually rounded out the picture. It never appealed to me, but I used to wonder, "Why would they follow the devil? That is asking for trouble." It never occurred to my young mind that maybe some of those original 'rock stars' thought that riches and fame and musical ingenuity could be attained through demonic means....
Well, the more things change, the more they stay the same sometimes. When one takes a minute to do some research about current musical entertainers, they find the same assertions being made these days, only this time, in the genre of rap and pop & dance music. Beyoncé herself tells in an online interview of having "something enter her" before one of her early performances. As a result of this "thing" entering her, she "knew" she would have a breakout performance that night. Here's a link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNuZb60lN2U She calls this alter ego, "Sasha Fierce," and describes her characteristics, just as a split personality discusses the other personalities within them. She's not alone, there are several other popular performers that also talk about having alter egos that come alive when they are performing onstage. Actually, it's big business in the music industry to 'help artists reach their maximum potential' by having them undergo 'hypnosis' to help create these alter egos. But there is a serious and unintended problem these hopefuls do not realize: these mind-altering techniques open the door for demonic possession. Quite often what we are seeing with these entertainers is the demon acting out in and through them onstage and in their videos. The fracturing of their personalities through the creation of the alter egos became the open door for unclean spirits to enter. That, is a serious issue! And, after a period of time, the artist sells out to the devil entirely and gets so demented and deranged that they lose their minds, and possibly, their lives. But the music industry doesn't care...they've made their money and will just go out and find another to take their place. So why did the artist do it in the first place?--money and fame and "confidence", of course!
Today's word comes from Psalm 49. It is the Lord's answer to this situation--do not envy or be like the wicked ones who love and trust in their money! Though they strut about as 'rock stars', and tempt many to live as they live, they will pass away without their riches, to a cold grave while their money is not even given to their children, but to the righteous. People who trust in Jesus and follow in His ways will have eternal life in heaven, while the wicked perish. Keep yourself from the works of these entertainers as well; for the enemy of our soul is like a prowling lion, seeking whom he may devour. The music they make seems innocuous, but it can infect an unsuspecting heart.
"No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him--the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough...But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve of their sayings. Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem my life from the grave; He will surely take me to Himself."
"Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed---and men praise you when you prosper---he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life."
"A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish." Psalm 49:7-8, 12-20.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
I'm a Generation X-er, which basically means I grew up with what is now called "Classic Rock." I remember when John Bonham of Led Zeppelin died, and of the whole occult heyday prevalent in rock music at that time, and afterwards. I remember my brother saying, "Let's play this record backwards and see if we can hear messages," and we'd spin it around counter-clockwise to hear weird, unintelligible noise. I recall leafing through the guitar and heavy metal magazines that my brother got and crinkling my nose at all the dark, occult images that many bands used to promote themselves. He would tell me of all the bands that worshipped Satan publicly, onstage at times, and of how they lived their lives offstage--drinking, drugging, orgies and the like, usually rounded out the picture. It never appealed to me, but I used to wonder, "Why would they follow the devil? That is asking for trouble." It never occurred to my young mind that maybe some of those original 'rock stars' thought that riches and fame and musical ingenuity could be attained through demonic means....
Well, the more things change, the more they stay the same sometimes. When one takes a minute to do some research about current musical entertainers, they find the same assertions being made these days, only this time, in the genre of rap and pop & dance music. Beyoncé herself tells in an online interview of having "something enter her" before one of her early performances. As a result of this "thing" entering her, she "knew" she would have a breakout performance that night. Here's a link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNuZb60lN2U She calls this alter ego, "Sasha Fierce," and describes her characteristics, just as a split personality discusses the other personalities within them. She's not alone, there are several other popular performers that also talk about having alter egos that come alive when they are performing onstage. Actually, it's big business in the music industry to 'help artists reach their maximum potential' by having them undergo 'hypnosis' to help create these alter egos. But there is a serious and unintended problem these hopefuls do not realize: these mind-altering techniques open the door for demonic possession. Quite often what we are seeing with these entertainers is the demon acting out in and through them onstage and in their videos. The fracturing of their personalities through the creation of the alter egos became the open door for unclean spirits to enter. That, is a serious issue! And, after a period of time, the artist sells out to the devil entirely and gets so demented and deranged that they lose their minds, and possibly, their lives. But the music industry doesn't care...they've made their money and will just go out and find another to take their place. So why did the artist do it in the first place?--money and fame and "confidence", of course!
Today's word comes from Psalm 49. It is the Lord's answer to this situation--do not envy or be like the wicked ones who love and trust in their money! Though they strut about as 'rock stars', and tempt many to live as they live, they will pass away without their riches, to a cold grave while their money is not even given to their children, but to the righteous. People who trust in Jesus and follow in His ways will have eternal life in heaven, while the wicked perish. Keep yourself from the works of these entertainers as well; for the enemy of our soul is like a prowling lion, seeking whom he may devour. The music they make seems innocuous, but it can infect an unsuspecting heart.
"No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him--the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough...But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve of their sayings. Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem my life from the grave; He will surely take me to Himself."
"Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed---and men praise you when you prosper---he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light of life."
"A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish." Psalm 49:7-8, 12-20.
~Be blessed and be a blessing.
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