The concept of backmasking, or the practice of hiding reversed messages in music that can only be understood when played backwards, has stirred much controversy and debate among Christians. Some claim these hidden messages have demonic influences and can negatively impact listeners spiritually. What does the Bible say about this practice? Let’s explore what Scripture offers on this topic.
What is Backmasking?
Backmasking involves intentionally recording words, phrases or messages backwards into music. When played normally, these backmasked messages are unintelligible. But when reversed, the original message can be heard. Backmasking became popular in rock music starting in the 1960s and 1970s.
Some examples of backmasked messages found in famous songs include:
- “It’s fun to smoke marijuana” in Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust”
- “Decide to smoke marijuana” in Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”
- “Here’s to my sweet Satan” in Electric Light Orchestra’s “Eldorado”
Backmasking appeals to artists for a few reasons. It adds a mysterious, hidden element to songs. It also allows musicians to sneak in risqué or controversial messages that would not make it past censors if played normally. While backmasking started off as an artistic technique, some began using it to include occultist content or references to drug use.
Concerns Over Backmasking
In the 1980s, backmasking became a subject of great concern among Christian parents and groups. Some believed these backwards hidden messages had demonic influences that could negatively impact listeners. When played normally, listeners cannot consciously detect the backmasked content. But some argued that the messages could still affect the subconscious mind.
This raised worries that backmasking could subtly influence listeners towards evil, violence or harmful behaviors. Some theorists suggested songs with backmasking led to increases in suicide, violence, sex, drug use and other issues among youth. This sparked protests against bands like Led Zeppelin and movements to mandate warning labels on music with backmasking.
What Does the Bible Say?
The Bible does not specifically mention backmasking. However, Scripture provides guidance on issues related to this debate.
The Power of the Tongue
The Bible contains many verses about the power of words and the tongue. Our speech has creative power and can produce good or evil:
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21)
From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:20-21)
Words are not empty. They have real effects on us and others. This applies both to normal speech and reversed backmasked messages. So the theory that backmasking can influence actions or behaviors has some biblical basis.
Guarding the Heart and Mind
The Bible encourages guarding our hearts and minds from evil influences:
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (Proverbs 4:23)
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
We should be selective about what voices and messages we allow into our spirit. Backmasking often contains unbiblical themes like drug use, sex, violence, occultism or idolatry. The hidden nature means listeners may absorb these influences without conscious awareness. So staying alert requires wisdom and discernment.
Avoiding Demonic Influences
The Bible warns us to avoid sources that can expose us to demonic influences. Passages like Deuteronomy 18:9-14 instruct God’s people to avoid practices like divination, sorcery and witchcraft. While backmasking is not exactly the same, it can promote similar themes.
When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. (Deuteronomy 18:9-12)
So the warnings against potential demonic influences from backmasking do have scriptural basis. However, the Bible focuses more on our responsibility to guard our hearts and minds.
God’s Sovereignty and Protection
While backmasking requires discernment, Christians can take comfort in God’s sovereignty and protection. Scripture reminds us:
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
With Christ living in us, we have power over any evil influences or demonic schemes like backmasking. We do not need to live in fear but simply submit to God, resisting the enemy.
Focusing on Goodness
The Bible calls us to focus on goodness – whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable (Philippians 4:8). While we should exercise discernment, obsessing over evil can be unhealthy. The Bible instructs us:
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21)
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9)
Rather than preoccupying ourselves with backmasking, our focus should be on filling our spirit with godly truth, beauty and encouragement.
Approaching Music with Discernment
Based on these biblical principles, here are some recommended approaches to backmasking and music:
- Be selective about voices and messages we expose our spirit to
- Exercise wisdom and discernment, guarding our hearts and minds
- Avoid music promoting themes of evil like violence, sex, drugs, occultism
- Recognize backmasked content has potential to influence actions and behaviors
- Submit to God and resist enemy influences through Christ’s power in us
- Keep our focus on what is good, true and noble rather than obsessing over evil
With these precautions, we can enjoy music while minimizing any potential spiritual dangers from practices like backmasking. Moderation and balance are key – completely avoiding all music with sinful themes can lead to legalism. The Bible calls us to engage culture, not isolate ourselves, while pursuing purity.
For younger Christians, guidance from parents and mature believers is also important when assessing music choices. Seeking accountability and support from fellow Christians enables us to better exercise discernment.
Overall, backmasking requires caution but not fear. The solution is found in drawing near to Christ, guarding our hearts and minds, testing everything carefully, and thinking on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable.
Music can be powerful and deeply impactful. So wisdom is needed to ensure it uplifts our spirit rather than exposes us to negative influences. Through discernment and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we can avoid potential spiritual dangers from music while still enjoying its beauty and creative expression.