Feature: Conviction or Control? A Theological Reflection on Secular Music in Christian Metal Culture
By Seth Metoyer, Heaven’s Metal Magazine –
Growing up in a Christian household, I wasn’t allowed to listen to a lot of “secular music.” The restriction wasn’t always about lyrics, it felt more like a method of spiritual boundary-setting, or in some cases, outright control. Recently, I came across a post by someone navigating similar waters, wondering how to reconcile a love for heavy secular music with their deepening faith. That post stirred something in me.
This reflection is for readers of Heaven’s Metal Magazine, those who’ve walked the razor’s edge between the sacred and the sonic, and maybe still are.
Conviction vs. Guilt: What Are We Really Feeling?
In Christian circles, we’re often told that conviction is the Holy Spirit’s way of redirecting us, of pulling us back to God’s standards. But here’s the rub: conviction and guilt often feel the same.
Is it the Spirit convicting us, or is it the result of spiritual conditioning? If I listened to a Pantera song before I got saved and it didn’t feel evil then, why does it suddenly feel wrong now? Is it the content, or the learned association? Romans 14:22-23 reminds us that what we believe in our hearts to be sin, is sin to us, but that means the focus is on personal faith and conscience, not imposed legalism.
Discernment over Dogma: The Case for Spiritual Maturity
Not all secular music is corrupt, just as not all “Christian” music is righteous. Jesus said in Matthew 7:16, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” If the fruit of a song, even a “secular” one, leads you toward deeper thought, healing, or even wrestling with your beliefs, that’s a spiritual engagement.
I avoid content that mocks God or traffics in hate. But I also don’t treat the word “secular” like a trigger warning. God isn’t intimidated by electric guitars or poetic expressions of pain. In fact, much of the Psalms read like cries from the darkest corners of the soul, songs of lament, anguish, even rage.
The Spirit of Control: Legalism Disguised as Holiness
Let’s be honest: in some homes and churches, restricting music is more about control than care. What gets framed as “spiritual conviction” is sometimes just behavioral conditioning.
2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” That doesn’t mean anything goes, it means we aren’t bound by man-made rules but are guided by the Spirit and the Word. The same Spirit that convicts can also bring freedom, nuance, and yes, even enjoyment of art made by people outside the faith.
Deconstruction or Spiritual Growth?
There’s a loaded word: deconstruction. But looking back at your faith journey, re-evaluating the spiritual culture you were raised in, and asking tough questions isn’t the same as apostasy.
Jesus asked hard questions. So did Paul. So do people who want their faith to grow deep roots.
If revisiting the rules around secular music causes you to examine your walk with Christ more deeply, that’s not rebellion. That’s refinement.
A Theological Lens: Cognitive Dissonance & the Spirit
Psychologically, cognitive dissonance happens when what we believe and what we experience clash. Spiritually, that tension might be conviction, or it might be a call to examine why we believe what we do.
James 1:5 says God gives wisdom to those who ask. If you’re unsure whether a band is drawing you closer to Christ or dulling your spiritual edge, ask. The Holy Spirit isn’t a micromanager, He’s a guide, and He often speaks in quiet conviction, not thunderous condemnation.
Conclusion: Walk in Freedom, Not Fear
We need more spiritually mature Christians who aren’t afraid to engage with culture thoughtfully. Who can hear a song and discern its spirit. Who can say, “This doesn’t build me up,” and walk away, or say, “This actually speaks to my experience,” and let God work through it.
Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Let’s stop confusing freedom with compromise and conviction with guilt. Let’s start choosing honesty, nuance, and grace.
I’d love to hear from you:
- What was your experience growing up with secular music?
- Do you feel convicted when listening to it, or is that just what you were taught to feel?
- Has your taste in music changed as your faith has matured?
About Author
Great article.
This needs to be spoken of more, and honestly has given much of the world such a distaste for christians. And it has always made me cringe.
We aren’t meant to come off uptight and legalistic.
There is such freedom ever since Jesus defeated the cross.
I love that you mentioned how psalms are cries, cries out to the Lord, very true.
I think it is good to enjoy the world, but thinking about going to heaven all the time without repose and taking care of the earth and its inhabitants is apathetic. Both to others and God’s blessings and creation. Which is why I dislike that word “secular” sometimes.
As christians, we are in the world but not of the world.
Thanks for reading and for the excellent response. I truly value your perspective.
Seth, this was a breath of fresh theological and artistic air. You gave voice to what so many of us in Christian metal have wrestled with for years, discerning the difference between Spirit-led conviction and fear-based conditioning. I really appreciate how you framed this not as a rebellion against holiness, but as a deeper pursuit of truth, maturity, and freedom in Christ. The call to walk in discernment rather than dogma hit home, and the reminder that the Spirit leads with wisdom, not shame, was gold. You’ve challenged the black and white thinking that often plagues this conversation, and you did it with clarity, compassion, and courage. Bravo!
Thanks for reading and your insights, bro!
A very thoughtful and interesting article. I was born into a Christian home, but my parents were far from the ways of the Lord. As a teenager, I began listening to and enjoying heavier music. The first bands I listened to were AC DC, Iron Maiden, and Black Sabbath. Shortly after, an underground movement with even heavier bands was emerging, and that fascinated me. But while I enjoyed what I heard, something inside me was afraid, due to the content of some lyrics that focused on Satanism or extreme violence and even mocked the Christian faith. Over the years, I converted to Christianity and for a long time I didn’t follow the underground movement until I discovered there was a Christian underground movement. For several long years now, I’ve been listening to Christian bands and also several secular bands that bring positive content to their lyrics.
Thanks for reading the article and for sharing your personal experience!
I am so glad to be on an editorial team like this with you, Seth. It’s a real privilege, source of pride (in the good sense, if that is possible), and joy to work with you guys. Your contributions, like this one, are just so wonderful, thought-provoking and, dare I say, wise. Bravo and gratitude to you, brother.
Hey Doug, thanks so much for the kind words! It’s an honor to write for Heaven’s Metal, and I’m super grateful for the chance to share my thoughts with such a cool audience. Plus, I’m stoked about all the awesome connections and friendships I’ve made being part of the Heaven’s Metal Magazine Kacrew. Your words mean a lot to me, and I really value the support and camaraderie here.
Hi Seth…
Some context. I’m 57 and discovered metal as a teen, I’ve also played metal professionally and still have a solo metal act. I live in a Baptist household/family, and I remember my mother throwing away my Mercyful Fate and Venom (Welcome to Hell …no less) cassettes when I was a teen. No discussions, no debates, just woke up one day and the tapes were gone. As I King Diamond fan I too have wrestled with the question “should I be listening to this”, and I believe the answer is yes.
Why? Listening/being a fan of King Diamond as a teen was my first lesson in discernment. It was the first time I said, out loud, that “I like the music, the sound, and the solos, but I disagree with the lyrics/message”. I carried this ‘ability to discern’ throughout the rest of my adult, music, and spiritual life, I believe it was my teen self’s first bout with critical thinking. Did I always use discernment? No. When I used discernment was I always right? Also no. But that ability has served me more then it has not, spiritually and otherwise.
My taste is music has changed as I’ve gotten older, more instrumental, less preachy, more introspective. Generally speaking I’ve never liked the blatantly satanic stuff, moreso when its clear its just a marketing gimmick, but that applies to just about any subject matter really. Now the sci-fi stuff seems more like a safe harbor, it explore spiritual themes, even when it doesn’t realize it…lol.
Your sentence spoke to me here: “Let’s stop confusing freedom with compromise and conviction with guilt. Let’s start choosing honesty, nuance, and grace.”
This, and yes it can be hard, but that’s the point. Right?
Thanks for reading and for sharing your experience! Sci-fi is where it’s at, by the way. Glad some of the article resonated with you. Thanks again for reading and sharing your thoughts. – Seth
Raised Christian. Grew up in church. Homeschooled with other Christian kids. Had a great childhood that way. We would all share TFK, Skillet, Kutless, Toby Mac CD’s etc… loved what I was hearing from Christian contemporary and also worship music back in the day. Both my parents grew up we’re Christian and had a Love for both secular and Christian music. Dad showed me bands such as Audio Slave, Rush and Judas Priest. Mom Loved artists like Enya, Prince, 5440. Fair to say I grew up in a mixed environment. Over the years in my faith walk I’ve been convicted in my spirit to clean up what I put into my body. A sanctification. I’ve personally made the efforts to detach from secular bands I’ve learned to know and Love for the sake of a greater relationship with my Savior. Bye bye Lamb of god… Bye bye Slipknot… Bye bye Judas Priest… The truth I’ve come to find is that, in the spirit about what Paul said about “counting it all as lost.”, I want to be obedient to God my father. The things I listen to need to glorify Jesus. I want to listen to music like Sleeping Giant, For Today and Skillet because I know for a fact that the source is pure. I got a taste of that living water and I want to keep drinking from that fountain. Praise Jesus for the changes I’ve witnessed within me as a result of changing what I put into my temple the father has gifted me. Amen.
Thanks for reading and sharing your testimony, Gabriel!