controversial image from a Jay-Z music video

What?!  They worship the devil?  Where did you hear that?

Those are some of the questions that you may have had running through your mind as you read the title of this article.  Those were some of the questions I was asking myself when someone informed me that they believed that "Jay-Z and Beyonce worshipped the devil."

At a recent weekly Bible study class the topic was "Spiritual Warfare."  The teacher for the class spent time describing some of the different types of spiritual attacks that individuals are under.  The teaching included how music and it's influence can be a form of spiritual attack.  Many Christians are familiar with this concept.  It is usually known as the "gospel music vs. secular music" debate.  As the teacher started to go in to detail about  secular music, she made a statement that sparked my interest.

"Jay-Z and Beyonce worship the devil."

How did the teacher come to this conclusion?  I have heard many people express a sense of frustration with the themes in Hip-Hop and R & B music, but this was the first time I had heard such an indictment made on two individual people.  The teacher pointed to several examples from music videos to back up her claim.

The Bible study teacher specifically pointed to the imagery and symbolism used in their videos.  Many of the videos contained images of the occult and symbols that held meaning in occult rituals.  This new revelation prompted me to do my own research.  I was surprised at the amount of content on the web that tied these two world super-stars to the occult and devil worship.  A simple Google search on "Beyonce occult" presented websites that shared the opinion that the imagery and lyrics in Beyonce's songs illicit a deceiving spirit with intentions in promoting destructive distractions.  Here are some of the websites that I discovered in my search:

• Beyonce to Sasha Fierce: Symbolic Occult Rebirth
• NPR: Jay-Z: A Master of Occult Wisdom?

While most of what was on the internet regarding this topic was simple conjecture, there were many interesting facts that were examined.  There is definitely a use of imagery in music videos.  Many times it is straight-forward, while other times it is more abstract.  Does this art have any impact on our soul?

The story of Daniel in the Bible contains an excellent illustration of how music can be  the rhythmic accompaniment to a spiritual seduction.  It was used by King Nebuchadnezzar in conjunction with the worshiping of golden idols he had established for the people.  Those that did not bow at that sound of the music were killed.  While some of the music of today is not used outrightly  as a form of life or death idol worship, there are many people who allow the lyrics, images, and themes to overwhelm the soundtrack of their thoughts.  As Christians we should be careful and mindful as to what we open ourselves up to.

They said to king Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever. You, O king, have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the golden image, and that whoever does not fall down and worship is to be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. There are certain Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon -- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego -- these men, O king, pay no attention to you. They neither serve your gods nor worship the golden image you set up."

Daniel 3:9-12

Are there hidden messages in music and music videos?  Is art sometimes just "art"?  Is it glorifying God?  Join the conversation and leave us a comment to let us know what you think.

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