Lecrae Moore is a hip hop rapper with a Christian message revealing the hard truths of life for the believer and unbeliever. His lyrics challenge those in the faith to live what they really believe as well as causing those who live according to the pattern of the world to rethink their choices. Lecrae’s music gives hope to a generation struggling with direction and purpose. His style, class, and most of all—undivided devotion to Christ—makes us all want to strive for a better walk with God.
“Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk” (1 Timothy 1:6).
Meaningless talk is popular especially through social media. While it’s great to keep an open forum for diversity of ideas in conversations, believers must be discerning about what they allow themselves to be drawn into. We must give considerable thought and prayer in our conversations for it is better to speak with a few powerful words than with thousands of mindless chatter.
“They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you” (1 Peter 4:4).
There’s something intriguing about the salmon who swims upstream—going against the current driven by instinct. Believers are also driven against the current of their culture by the compelling power of the Holy Spirit. We rebel against the world, flesh, and devil in order that we swim into the center of God’s will.
“God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (1 Corinthians 1:29).
God chooses the weakest of this world to show His glory. When the Lord moves in His mighty power to work miracles for those who are powerless—there’s no doubt of His grace and glory. When believers take the back seat, God shows His glory in and through the humble.
“Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise in the assembly of his faithful people” (Psalm 149:1).
There are times to hum music to ourselves and there are times when we need to shout to the rooftops. God is worthy of glory and honor in the songs we sing. As the redeemed in Christ, we are unashamed to pump up the music and rejoice in the God of our salvation.
“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like” (James 1:23-24).
Many people resist the teachings of God because of all the hypocrites in the church. Hypocrites are those who participate in the activities of the church and yet remain spiritually unchanged. As believers we must strive to keep our worship in sync with our whole life and not just in a church service. Those outside of the faith will see our good works and glorify God.
“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).
When we are made new creatures in Christ Jesus…everyone around us knows it. Through the influence of the Holy Spirit, God’s word, and the fellowship with other believers, we can’t help but tell it like it is—Jesus is Lord. As we live it out, the lost will see the light and taste the salt of Christ in our testimony.
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” (Mark 8:36-37).
There are few people in the world who don’t care about money. The majority of us think about money all the time in two different ways: how much we do have or how much we don’t have. Yet Jesus was clear that God will provide what we need when we need it. Our focus should be on the eternal riches of serving God with a pure and undivided heart rather than building earthly treasures.
“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10).
We can get so enamored with outside appearances (both with ourselves and others) that we may forget how the Lord sees our hearts. God knows what we are thinking when we are praised or criticized. Our everyday practice should be an inward heart check to be who we are in Christ no matter where the Lord leads us.
“Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs” (Psalm 100:2).
There’s a lot of noise in the world, but most of it brings us down. The noise of riots, injustice, violence, and poverty continue to plague the nations around the world. As believers we have the privilege of making a joyful noise to the Lord in our words, songs, and musical instruments that can bring peace and life.
“So be careful how you live, not as fools but as those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity for doing good in these evil days." (Ephesians 5:15-16)
All of Lecrae’s music has been wrapped in meaningful and heart-convicting lyrics; however, his latest album, Anomaly, goes beyond being uncomfortable. His honesty about past mistakes and regrets gives the listener a chance to hear about God’s grace and forgiveness. Anomaly underscores how we are a peculiar people—a royal priesthood fashioned and purposed for God’s will individually as well as corporately. We are meant for more than just the normal way of life.
The message of Christ isn’t restrained into one or two musical genres within the body of believers. The freedom of expressing our faith is a gift from God and it needs to reach everyone within our sphere of influence. Be bold in the declaration of Christ in hip hop and beyond…multitudes are waiting to hear the Good News.
Crystal McDowell is a writer, speaker, and teacher with a passion to encourage believers to know and grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ through practical application of God’s word.
Crystal and her husband, Marshall, raise their five children in the Bloomington, IL. As a freelance writer and editor for over 13 years, Crystal has published numerous Christian curriculums for Sunday School and VBS as well as many articles dealing with marriage, motherhood, and relationships. She’s a weekly staff writer for www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com as well as writing her own blog at http://crystalmcdowellspeaks.blogspot.com.