Posted: Wednesday, August 13, 2008     Source: Daily Guide

Musicians Warned Against Occultism

Ghanaian musicians and movie stars have been urged to draw closer to God if only they want to be successful in their chosen career.

They have also been advised to desist from seeking assistance from occultists or fetish priests, in order to pave way for God’s blessing in their activities.

The Head Pastor of Awakeners Chapel International, Pastor Peter Kayode, who made these remarks when he visited the offices of the DAILY GUIDE last week, said basically to be a music or movie star was a gift from God but to maintain that status involved constant relationship with Him.

"Music is good; it teaches us moral ways of life or values that could help us in our day-to-day activities. God sometimes uses music to heal the sick."

He charged gospel musicians in the country to live up to expectation since most songs nowadays had no spiritual impact.

He stated that majority of Ghanaian musicians were going gospel because they felt it was the easiest way to make money, instead of using it to spread the word of God.

He pointed out that money was not enough to make progress in life and that one needed to look into his heart and be inspired by music to make the right decisions.

He indicated that activities of certain gospel musicians did not invoke the presence of God because of their love for money.

He told Beatwaves that it was very bad for gospel musicians to focus on making money instead of using their music to change lives and also educate people against social vices.

According to him a large number of gospel musicians in Ghana were not committed Christians and were only in the industry for monetary gains.

Music, he indicated, is used in everyday life as it is considered as food for the soul, mind and body, therefore musicians must be cautious of what they sing about.

He, however, was of the view that some of the hiplife songs on the music market are very educative as they talk about social issues.

"Some of the songs are profane, but I don’t blame them because they think that is what the people like. Some of the hiplife artistes are far better than those who call themselves gospel musicians.

One can still be a hiplife artiste and still be a Christian," he stated.
On speculations that certain musicians visit occultists to pray over their musical works before releasing them to the public, Pastor Kayode agreed that a section of secular and gospel musicians do visit spiritualists to pray over their works, and disclosed that some gospel musicians are seen in drinking bars drinking alcoholic drinks and afterwards pretend they are holy.

"The Bible says that by their fruits we shall know them. Most Ghanaian gospel musicians are not seen as messengers of God as compared to their colleagues in Nigeria," he added.

He warned that anything that comes from the devil is not free and that the one who benefits from a gift from the devil would surely pay with his life.

"It is rather sad that stars are dying; spiritually something might have gone wrong somewhere. Stars should not abandon God in their day-to-day activities, but should get closer to God."

According to him, not all gospel music works being sold had God’s backing, adding that a large number of gospel musicians are not even committed Christians.

Quoting John 10:10, the man of God said Satan came to steal, destroy and kill, but Jesus Christ gives life and that any musician or movie star who associates him or herself with Satan would be destroyed.

"Of course, there was no need belaboring this point. Satan was after all in control of music in heaven in those times he was there, and still has the power to appear like an angel of the light," he concluded.