1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

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Toby: Nice groove, but what’s your eye on?
Hello to my friends, including fellow servants and followers of Christ.
About me – My name is Steven Henry. I’m a Bible student and a Bible teacher, a fulltime worker, and a musician and song-writer. I’ve been on several praise and worship
teams at a few different churches in years past.
Many of you know me –
 Snapshots of a Disciple on FB www.facebook.com/pages/Snapshots-of-a-Disciple/140793325968043
Snapshot Designs on FB www.facebook.com/pages/Snapshot-Designs/192218270813694
FEDBP (Foundations of Evangelism Discipleship and Biblical Preaching on FB
https://www.facebook.com/pages/FEDBP/201110539903466
 Or from other street-preaching and street-witnessing videos.
 Or from our website: www.incpu.org
Next topic – what’s the point of this study. Well, I’d first like to note that there are a
few different types of what are typically lumped together as ‘discernment bloggers’.
There are the kinds that use ‘new’ insights into false teachers or have found new false
teachers to expose – for either thrill or a following. I’m in a different category. Those
of you who know me, know that I don’t just go around trying to find something false
to expose. That’s not my mission. I’m here to study and grow in following the Word of
God and teach others to do the same. My only mission in exposing things is to help
others to look at things around them through one lens and only that lens – the Word of
God. If it fits the Word of God, great :) ~ If it doesn’t match God’s Word, then to keep
following Christ as best as we can, we need to sort through what is right in it and
what is wrong in it. Please keep in mind – I do not condemn anyone who wants to keep
listening to Toby after reading my analysis. My main hope and prayer with this video
and these notes (and the Scriptural references here) is to help people see things more
clearly through a Biblical lens and then make their own choices from there. Check out
the information for yourself – double-check the Scriptures I use and ask God to show
you what to do. Make sense? :)
Next question - why am I talking about an analyzing Toby?
Good question :) ~ First off, let me explain about my history in music, and why I focus
on it. My brother and I have been in music since we were young – started taking piano
lessons back in 5th grade and singing and harmonizing not long after that. Music has
been a big part of my life. In my short years, I’ve seen a lot of the main names in the
Christian music market, and sadly, I’ve also watched a lot of ones who showed
promise of a clear message instead turn to chase popularity and crash. Sadly, that’s
most of the ones I’ve watched. I, for one, study that so that I (hopefully) don’t repeat
that mistake. But, how does this apply to DC Talk? Simple – my family watched the
rise of DC Talk around the time of their hit-song ‘Jesus Freak’, and then their slow
decline and then watched their band fall apart. Now, we notice that all 3 guys –
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TobyMac, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max are now in lead-sing positions on other bands
(TobyMac-Solo, Michael-Newsboys, Kevin-Audio Audrenaline) – yet, sadly, all of them
have adjusted their image, but none of them have adjusted their heart to the genuine
repentance and discipleship of Jesus Christ. And, only recently, did I notice that Toby
actually lays out his thinking in some of his songs. So, I may do a study on the rise and
fall of DC Talk and where the band members are today, and how we can learn to
avoid their pitfalls – someday… but in this I just want to focus on Toby – his songs, and
his message.
A few more quick-notes, before we get to Toby’s songs: Toby’s got style – and a lot of
it in his music, and he’s got a lot of charisma. Some people like his style of music,
some don’t. I like a lot of his style, but style of music or the instruments he uses in his
music are not the subjects here. Toby claims to be a Christian, and so I want to check
to see if his message matches God’s Word of contradicts it, and I think you’ll notice
that I’m not harsh in this analysis. My main point is to try to examine his lyrics
through the lens of the Bible. If his words match the Bible – great! If they don’t , then
we ought to see and recognize the gaps where he contradicts the Bible, either subtly
or overtly. So with all that said, I hope you’ll join me as we analyze Toby’s music.
I want to also note that in getting these notes ready for the final video here, I was
pleasantly surprised to see at least one other person pointing out clear problems with
Toby and how he’s handling his music career. You can find that link here for
additional reading: http://newjerusalemchronicle.blogspot.com/2011/05/toby-macand-third-day-more-examples-of.html
Okay discussion topics - Several questions to look through:
1> Does he mention Christ or Jesus in any of his songs?
2> Does he mention/teach on repentance in any of his songs?
3> What is his main message theme in his songs?
4> What are unBiblical things that he sings/teaches?
5> What’s Toby’s core message?
(parts 3-5 kind of blend together)
6> Conclusion – where do we go from here? How do we watch better?
I may have missed some things, but this is what I saw while going through a lot of his
lyrics and listening/watching his music videos. And, btw, I got these lyrics from:
www.metrolyrics.com, and a few from: www.lyricsmania.com.
Songs that mention Christ – 1
Songs that mention the God of the Bible in another way: 1 (Adonai)
Songs that mention God in general: most of them imply a ‘god’, but most don’t even
use the word ‘God’. And one uses the ambiguous ‘Most High’ and ‘Father’ to refer to
someone. Just because Toby calls someone ‘Father’ doesn’t mean that
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Songs that talk about repentance or salvation – 1
Main message: Hope for everyone – follow an unnamed God that we all can agree on.
That’s a universal ‘god’ that excludes the real one who defines Himself in His Word –
the Bible.
unBiblical themes:
 gives approval to sinful music groups
In ‘Made for Me’, Toby mentions two non-Christian bands, as though it’s normal, U2
and Coldplay in his song to his wife, and in ‘Extreme Days’, Toby states that he
learned from Kiss and Led Zepellin – two more non-Christian (anti-Bible) bands.
* ‘Made for Me’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/made-for-me-lyrics-toby-mac.html
* ‘Extreme Days’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/extreme-days-lyrics-toby-mac.html
 Pride – boasting
We’re unstoppable, and similar phrases (in ‘Unstoppable’ and ‘The Slam’)
* ‘Unstoppable’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/unstoppable-lyrics-toby-mac.html
* ‘The Slam’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/the-slam-lyrics-toby-mac.html
What’s the Bible say about our pride:
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18)
“But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives
grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6) – literally: God wars against us when we’re in
pride.
“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city,
spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know
what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears
for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord
wills, we shall live and do this or that.’ But now you boast in your arrogance. All
such boasting is evil.” (James 4:13-16)
 Praise with a non-repentant heart is an offense to God
In ‘Feeling So Fly’, Toby says he’s always praising God, but God’s Word points out
that when we’re rebelling against God, our praise is repulsive to God, but Toby never
clarifies that. That’s at least a big gap, if not bad teaching.
* ‘Feeling So Fly’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/feelin-so-fly-lyrics-toby-mac.html
God’s Word says a lot about this in Proverbs. Check this out:
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the
upright is His delight.” (Proverbs 15:8)
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“The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but the words of the
pure are pleasant.” (Proverbs 15:26)
“He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, both of them alike
are an abomination to the LORD.” (Proverbs 17:15)
“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it
with wicked intent!” (Proverbs 21:27)
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.” (Psalm 66:18)
 Praise… while partying?
Among songs with a supposed/implied message of praising and serving the one true
God (that he rarely names), he also has songs that push people to enjoy life and enjoy
the party down here. You find this songs like: ‘Get This Party Started’ ‘Funky Jesus
Music’ ‘Phenomenon’ ‘Showstopper’ and ‘Diverse City’. Toby doesn’t talk about
Biblical fellowship or Bible studies. What about satan prowling around seeking to
destroy us in our weak-spots – areas of willful sin and rebellion? Toby never talks
about those. Toby also never talks about idols – only about not wanting the stuff of
this world to become more important to him than God. But, that’s not what Jesus
said: “‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your
soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first [greatest]
commandment.” (Mark 12:30) And God describes satan this way: “Be sober, be
vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking
whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same
sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” (1st Peter 5:8-9)
Another verse on this subject: “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone
did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6; Judges 21:25) ~ and again: “Do
not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also
reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who
sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary
while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
(Galatians 6:7-9)
* ‘Get This Party Started’ - www.metrolyrics.com/get-this-party-started-lyrics-toby-mac.html
* ‘Funky Jesus Music’ - www.metrolyrics.com/funky-jesus-music-lyrics-toby-mac.html
* ‘Phenomenon’ - www.metrolyrics.com/phenomenon-lyrics-tobymac.html
* ‘Showstopper’ - www.metrolyrics.com/showstopper-capital-kings-remix-lyrics-toby-mac.html
* ‘Diverse City’ - www.metrolyrics.com/diverse-city-lyrics-toby-mac.html
 Is this song to God or a girl?
Many of Toby’s songs have a feel of a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship with the
typical flattery and infatuation that happens in that kind of relationship. And yet, I
think most Christians probably overlook those details thinking that the song is
supposed to be to God. Examples: ‘Get Back Up’ ‘Changed Forever’ and ‘Me
Without You’. Please note – if it does not mention God’s Name or Jesus’ Name, it
might not be written to God or Jesus ~ :)
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* ‘Get Back Up’ - www.metrolyrics.com/get-back-up-lyrics-toby-mac.html
* ‘Changed Forever’ - www.metrolyrics.com/changed-forever-lyrics-toby-mac.html
* ‘Me Without You’ - www.metrolyrics.com/me-without-you-lyrics-toby-mac.html
 A supernatural high?
As DC Talk did in their days, Toby – in ‘Feeling so Fly’ - refers to feeling a
‘supernatural high’ from God… this comes across like a euphoria from a drug or an
infatuation, rather than a genuine stable love for God. God’s Word reminds us of our
need to leave more sin behind and rely on Him – it doesn’t give us an emotional high.
Keeping a clear conscience feels clean, but that’s different than it seems Toby is
describing.
* ‘Feeling So Fly’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/feelin-so-fly-lyrics-toby-mac.html
 Speaking life?
In the song, ‘Speak Life’, Toby apparently describes what he likes to do – speak life
into people and encourage them. But look closely and you notice that he’s not
speaking the Word of God that is Life… so what’s he using?
* ‘Speak Life’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/speak-life-lyrics-toby-mac.html
 What prize?
In ‘Eye on It’, Toby says that he’s got his eye on the prize… but the next question is:
what’s the prize? Toby never answers that.
* ‘Eye on It’ - http://www.metrolyrics.com/eye-on-it-lyrics-toby-mac.html
 Which place?
In Toby’s song ‘In the Air’, he uses light metaphors of something better on the other
side, but never talks about Heaven in plain language, or Hell. How does someone get
there? Toby never answers that question. In Toby’s song ‘J-Train’, which reduces
Jesus’ glorious Name to the letter ‘J’ - (why?) And in this song, Toby talks about how
he’s got a ticket to the other side… again, no mention of *what* is on the other side (2
places - Heaven or Hell), and Toby seems to imply that since he’s got a ticket to the
‘other side’, then he doesn’t have to worry about anything anymore – fears… or
obedience. Toby says: “Sit back, relax put on your travelin' gear, No need to doubt so
put aside your fear, "Destination" out of this atmosphere, It's the J Train baby, we
depart from right here, No lines to fight no ticket to price, I'm rollin' first class 'cause
I've seen the light, Try as you may but your money can't buy, A ticket on the J Line to
the other side ” - Yet, Jesus taught something very different: “Strive to enter
through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be
able.” (Luke 13:24) -- and again: “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall
enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven.
Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your
name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'And
then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice
lawlessness!'” (Matthew 7:21-23)
* ‘In the Air’ - www.metrolyrics.com/in-the-air-lyrics-toby-mac.html
* ‘J Train’ - www.metrolyrics.com/j-train-lyrics-toby-mac.html
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 What’s forgiveness without genuine repentance?
In the song ‘Forgiveness’, Toby is joined by Lecrae, and they sing a pretty good song
about forgiveness – it has a lot to do with self-serving reasons to forgive rather than
obeying God in forgiving. Matthew West (Forgiveness) and Tenth Avenue North
(Losing) both did similar songs teaching to choose forgiveness for self-serving reasons,
rather than to please God by obeying Him. The other note here is that he’s wanting
forgiveness for his mistakes. We don’t lie by accident – we don’t steal by accident –
we don’t covet by accident – we don’t lust by accident or use God’s Name by
accident. So, why don’t Toby or Lecrae talk about our need to repent from our
intentional rebellion choices? What about repentance from intentionally walking in
darkness – rebellion that we won’t let go of? Toby or Lecrae never mention either of
those. ~ Remember God’s precious promise in 1st John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.” (1st John 1:9)
* Toby/Lecrae ‘Forgiveness’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/forgiveness-lyrics-toby-mac.html
 Freedom from what?
In ‘Thankful for You’, is a song apparently written as a Thank-You to God. We ought
to be grateful because God showers us with His many kindnesses every day. :) But
Toby’s thank-you also sometimes shifts to thanking his audience. Toby notes that he
wants to set people free – but, from what? Toby doesn’t answer that.
* ‘Thankful for You’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/thankful-for-you-lyrics-toby-mac.html
 Losing himself?
In ‘Lose Myself’, Toby talks about trying to lose himself and wanting God to take his
dreams… wanting to lose himself to find God. The song has a lot of metaphors that
apparently just show that Toby doesn’t understand what Jesus meant by taking up our
cross and following Him, or losing the things here (letting go of our attachment to the
creature-comforts here on Earth) to find eternal life, and a closeness in following and
being able to really be used by God, not for a show. Remember, Jesus said: “Then He
said to them all, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose
it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man
if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is
ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He
comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:23-26)
* ‘Lose Myself’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/lose-myself-lyrics-toby-mac.html
 Open mind?
In ‘Get This Party Started’, Toby starts with this: “Everybody, everybody in the place
to be, Open up your mind, and let your soul be free…” That’s not even covertly a
Christian concept – that’s new age false teaching. God is the One who teaches truth,
satan only teaches lies. To be ‘open minded’ is to pretend that both God and satan
have truth… Toby – why are you teaching messages that are complete in contradiction
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to God’s Word? God isn’t partnering with satan – God is pure light and holiness,
there’s no shade of darkness or rebellion in Him (1st John 1:5). “Do not be unequally
yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with
lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has
Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what
agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living
God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their
God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore ‘Come out from among them [live
set apart] and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will
receive you.’ ‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the LORD Almighty.’ Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in
the fear of God.” (2nd Corinthians 6:14-7:1) -- What Toby is (apparently) forgetting is
that we are either a slave of sin, or we are a slave of Jesus Christ and righteousness –
there’s no middle ground, no gray area with God – it’s right or wrong, truth or
error/lie.
* ‘Get This Party Started’ - www.metrolyrics.com/get-this-party-started-lyrics-toby-mac.html
 Who has the illuminati?
In the song ‘Ill-m-I’, TobyMac pushes some clever metaphors with illuminati meanings
– of which I’ve only been able to figure some of. The chorus says: “Ill-m-I and you,
illuminati coming through” And in the last bridge, the song includes this: “And if you
feel the vibe glide true it's on you, And if you need to drive right through it's on you,
And if your screamin' "moi non plus" it's like What you tryin' to do when you can't fade
the true one…” This song was mostly written by someone(s) else (Christopher E. Stevens,
Glenn Galaxy, Toby Mckeehan), but Toby put it on his CD and online, and this is Toby’s
own version of it – including ending the last bridge with the words: “Savor every bite
that TobyMac gave ya…” – This song is a metaphor and it’s got a code… but what is it
saying? I pray in time, this will become clear to me and others.
* ‘Ill-M-I’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/illmi-lyrics-toby-mac.html
** ‘moi non plus’ is French for ‘me neither’
 Another metaphor song: Extreme days?
Here are some words that just stand out as odd… they have meaning – but what’s the
code? “I got hip to Kiss and I tripped on Zepplin, So Mr. Therapist why did I go this
direction, God had a plan, To end all my schemes, I had a dream, He said to be
Extreme…” God said to be extreme? Which ‘god’? What verse? This song is dramatic,
but the lyrics are very odd. And, you can see, as I noted above, where Toby referred
to a couple of very evil non-Christian (anti-Biblical) bands here in this song – Kiss and
Led Zeppelin. A little later in his song, Toby says this: “Move out the way, Give up the
mic, X for me is extremely Christ, Living up in me, Like it or not, Put an X on my chest,
Because X marks the spot… [back to chorus] We're living, We're living, We're living in
extreme days…”
* ‘Extreme Days’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/extreme-days-lyrics-toby-mac.html
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 Without who?
In the song ‘Me Without You’, Toby wrote it in a way that could look – at first glance
to be a song to God. But, that doesn’t add up, as we take the lyrics as a whole
collection, and thought. Here’s the chorus “Where would I be, without you? I'd be
packin' my bags where I'd need to stay, I'd be chasin' every breeze that blows my way,
I've been buildin' my kingdom just to watch it fade away, it's true That's me without
you…” As you can see, this has a lot of feel of a boyfriend girlfriend infatuation type
song, and that really becomes clear with the ‘building my kingdom just to watch it fade
away…’ – The kingdom Toby is referring to isn’t God’s Kingdom, because Jesus said
this: “Therefore whoever hears these teachings of Mine, and does them, I will
liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended,
the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall,
for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these teachings of Mine,
and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:
and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that
house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27) ~ Either we’re building
on Christ, and the rebels will hate us because of the conviction, or we’re joining the
world, doing what’s right in our eyes, and our house is going to crash. Many people
will here Jesus say to them: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall
enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven.
Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your
name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And
then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice
lawlessness!’” (Matthew 7:21-23) It’s an either/or choice. There’s no fading away of
our kingdom – it either stands because it’s not our kingdom we’re building – but
Christ’s Kingdom, or it crashes because it is our kingdom, that we’ve been building –
on a foundation of sand.
* ‘Me Without You’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/me-without-you-lyrics-toby-mac.html
 Reviewing DC Talk and his new endeavor
In his older song called ‘Wondering Why’, Toby sort of reviews his life and why he
wants to stay a Christian rapper, etc. He references Kevin and Michael… in an odd
way, that leaves the rumor still going that the band (DC Talk) possibly fell apart
because of them… who knows. Toby tells very clearly that his eye in at least some of
his songs is on entertainment only. He admits that he likes to use the groove of music
to move the emotions of the ‘black folk’ and move the ‘white folk’ with jokes. Here’s
his own words: “I’ve been rockin’ them black folks and tellin’ them white jokes…” And
again later in the song, he says it again: “I’ve been rockin’ them church folks and
telling them same jokes…” ~ Okay Toby, I guess the jokes on us ‘church folks’, but,
please may I ask one thing - what’s so funny? o_O
* ‘Wonderin’ Why’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/wonderin-why-lyrics-tobymac.html
 Selling his stuff
In his song ‘Funky Jesus Music’, Toby is quite happy to sell his genre of music, which
he says is Christian music (it’s not Biblical music – it’s self-help, ego-boosting music
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and message). Here’s how he puts it: “… None of that mumbo jumbo, Give me that hip
hop funk soul, Give me that funky Jesus music, Give me that soulful gumbo, (then to
the chorus) Give me that funky, Funky Jesus Music, Give me that hip, that rock, that
funky soul, Give me that juicy flow, Give me that funky, Funky Jesus Music, Give me
that hip, that rock, that funky soul, And watch this party grow, Let's go…” ~ So, please
tell me: what kind of music would he be competing against? Is that the same kind of
music that he is calling ‘mumbo jumbo’? Could it by hymns? Fancy way to sell his
own version of music, huh? That’s what it looks like.
Another clip to notice: “No need to say what's already been said” – Hold up. That’s
not what the Bible says. We humans follow our selfish ways often enough that we
forget truth and have to relearn lessons again – that’s Biblical, but what Toby said is
not. Here’s what God through Peter says: “Moreover I will be careful to ensure that
you always have a reminder of these things after my decease.” (2nd Peter 1:15)
God, through Paul, said it this way to church body in pagan city of Corinth “For this
reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord,
who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.”
(1st Corinthians 4:17) Paul used the concept of reminding people of God’s truth
several other times, as did Jude (the half-brother of Jesus). And, Jesus Himself also
used this: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name,
He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to
you.” (John 14:26) Most people forget that truth is tangible – in a way: we can gain it
or lose what we do have. All of that is dependent on how much we value and request
God’s truth and apply it to our lives – even making life-changing decisions based on
obedience to God’s Word. “For whoever has [truth and values it], to him more
[truth] will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not [value the
truth he/she does] have, even what [he thinks] he has will be taken away from
him.” (Matthew 13:12) – 1st soul in the parable of the soil – didn’t care about truth,
satan was allowed to take it from them. This is why fantasy is so dangerous – it erodes
us.
And one more thought on this – Toby started the song with these two lines: “Yo stick it
in red, We got the cred…” ~ [cred = credibility] Stick it in red… that’s most likely not
red ink or red paint – so, what is it? My only guess: blood. Who’s? Only Toby knows
that, but it sounds out of place in a ‘Christian’ song that’s supposedly about hip-hop
‘Jesus’ music, because Jesus never taught His disciples to dip anything into blood –
but the occult does… odd, to say the least. So, what’s wrong with this picture Toby?
And to add to those questions – why does Toby have these lyrics in this song? “Look at
them freaks, they fashion loud, making that hotness, moving that crowd… we got this
winner’s ball…” Those lyrics (all from the second verse) have very sexual
connotations, and to think that Toby didn’t know that when he wrote them, I think
would be naïve. Why did he put them in there? Sickening…
* ‘Funky Jesus Music’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/funky-jesus-music-lyrics-toby-mac.html
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In ‘Family’, Toby seems to be having lyrical discussion with his wife to save his
marriage… not sure, but that looks like the context. If that’s the case, it’s odd to see
that he’s not building his marriage on the Bible, but on, as he puts it: “But I'm still
believin', The dreams we been dreamin', The hope that we built on, It's never too far, it's never
too far, If we choose to turn, and let these walls fall down…” Did you see Scriptures
mentioned as the foundation of his marriage? I didn’t either… is he building his life,
his family, his career on God’s Word, or his popularity with people? It doesn’t look
good…
* ‘Family’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/family-lyrics-toby-mac.html
 A new world?
Toby wrote a song for the Narnia sound-track, called ‘New World’. It’s unique ~ it
describes how no one believed the mystical land of ‘Narnia’ (full of pagan Greek
mythology) was ‘real’, except to Lucy… Sorry, Toby pretending fiction is real makes
his lyrics just a little confusing here. But in addition to that, Toby throws a few other
curveballs into the lyrics, like this: “She said she's walked her Babylon…” In the
chorus, Toby says: “I've seen a new world, like nothing before, just step through the
door right, Into a new world, Into Narnia, I've seen a new world, like nothing before,
just step through the door right, Into a new world, Into Narnia…”. Or how about this:
“But love came crusading, on the wings of healing sacrifice, He gave them something
to believe” – what was that Toby? Toby, is THIS (Narnia) what you think is on the
‘other side’? Mhm… very odd, possibly very insightful.
* ‘New World’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/new-world-narnia-album-version-lyricstobymac.html
 One world? - One world what?...
In the song ‘One World’, Toby seems to describe a Heaven on Earth utopia with
peace and all-love till we ‘all’ (it seems) go together to the other side and then
continue the party there… wowza ~ here’s the lyrics. You can see it for yourself: “ We
got one world, 'til its time to fly, So it's one love, 'til we say goodbye, We got one world,
its enough to share, Til we’re called home, and we’re caught up in the air, we got
One world, I'll look out for you, you look out for me, One world, Together we can be
perfect harmony, One world, I'll look out for you, you look out for me, One world, And
I’m a dedicate this song to everyone of God's children…” – One more question Toby –
how are you defining God’s children? Because Jesus said that there are 2 families – all
of us choose to be in satan’s rebellious family – only some find salvation through
repentance and get adopted into God’s family. “I AM the door. If anyone enters by
Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not
come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have
life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I AM the Good Shepherd. The
Good Shepherd gives His life for the sheep. But a hireling, he who is not the
Shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the
sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling
flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I AM the Good
Shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” (John 10:9-14) ~ and
again: “Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I
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proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My
word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to
do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth,
because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own
resources [inventions], for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the
truth, you do not believe Me.” (John 8:42-45)
* ‘One World’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/one-world-siti-monroe-tobymac-tobymac-lyricstoby-mac.html
 God wants to grant our dreams? Really?
In the song ‘Do you know’, Toby strongly hints that God wants to make us happy and
things like that – he puts it this way: “God will light your path if you want Him to, Just
emphasize His lead and your dreams will come true…” That’s not what God’s Word
says: “Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.” (Psalm
37:4-5) And again: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your
own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your
paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.”
(Proverbs 3:5-7) ~ and again: “The house of the wicked will be overthrown, But the
tent of the upright will flourish. There is a way that seems right to a man, But its
end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:11-12) ~ and again: “As it is written: "There
is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who
seeks after God… And the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of
God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:10-11, 17-18) ~ and again: “But seek first the
Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
(Matthew 6:33) ~~ Our heart’s desires are not naturally in-tune with God’s desires,
but are naturally opposed to God’s desires. So, God doesn’t just want to grant our
‘dreams’. God will grant pure desires that are focused on Him and growing closer to
Him and serving Him ~ that’s a big difference. God gives a clear warning against
twisting God’s Word – “Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be
found a liar.” (Proverbs 30:6) ~ and again: “Woe to those who call evil good, and
good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for
sweet, and sweet for bitter! woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and
prudent in their own sight!” (Isaiah 5:20-21)
* ‘Do You Know’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/do-you-know-lyrics-tobymac.html
Toby’s song ‘Burn for You’ really could have been written to a lady – it never
mentions God. And if it’s written to a lady, the title takes on a sexual connotation…
strange to say the least.
* ‘Burn for You’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/burn-for-you-lyrics-tobymac.html
 Like the line from a favorite song…
Toby’s ‘Favorite Song’ is another unique one :) ~ not because of its style, but
because he did a cross-over song that is very much a boyfriend/girlfriend song, with a
hint and flavor as though it’s to God… but, it’s clearly not. Check this out: “ You sing
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to me and my heart comes to life, Beating for you every time (it’s beating beating), And
how ‘bout I hear you oh I love the way, Your chorus gets stuck in my mind, Like the
lyrics to my favorite song, You stick with me all day long, And when I’ve reached the
end, I wanna hear it again…” And a little later: “I am man in me, You are my remedy, I
love the way that you sing to me sing to me, Your soothing melodies, my heart is
listening, I can’t wait to hear you sing to me sing to me…” That’s something a guy
would sing to a lady… doesn’t apply to God. His Word is convicting – if we’re reading
it. It’s not like a soothing message to the rebel heart – it convicts and transforms only
through our repentance and growth in obedience. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,
he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become
new.” (2nd Corinthians 5:17) This song is just another example of Toby’s message,
which is soothing, but a it’s not a gospel that can leave anyone to salvation. Sadly,
he’s building on popularity with people, not on God’s Word.
* ‘Favorite Song’ lyrics - www.metrolyrics.com/favorite-song-lyrics-toby-mac.html
And all of that leads to the last song I want to look at: ‘Steal My Show’.
>>Here are the lyrics first:
If You Want to Steal My Show (from Toby to God)
1st Verse:
Another cold night
Another Late Flight
It's almost show time,
and diverse city is waitin' on me
We got a packed house,
the crowd is callin' out
They want the beat to drop,
but what we really need is you
(Chorus)
If you wanna steal my show,
i'll sit back and watch you go
If you got somethin' to say,
go on and take it away
Need you to steal my show,
can't wait to watch you go-o-o-o
So take it away
2nd Verse:
So now the crowd is hyped,
that you showed up tonight
Anticipatin', cravin',
somethin' more than smoke and lights
So i'll step out the way,
I'll give you center stage
Alright, Spotlight
give 'em what they came for
Bridge:
When you arrive,
we come to life
Our hearts collide,
they're beating in the same time
You're comin' through,
all eyes on you
Our hearts collide
they're beating in the same time,
Beating in the same time
No matter who we are,
no matter what we do
Every day we can chose to say
(Chorus)
Ending:
My Life, my friends, my heart,
It's all yours, God, take it away,
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my dreams my fears, my family, my
career, take it away,
It's all yours, God Take it away,
take it away, It's you I wanna live for
*_*_*_*_*
Okay, so I don’t know what you noticed at first glance, but I hope you’ll allow me to
show you what I’ve been noticing in several weeks of analyzing this song (among
others). Toby has 3 levels of logic in this:
1> You’re trying to steal my show (apparently to God)
2> I ‘need’ you to steal my show (also apparently to God)
3> Take it away – which has 2 connotations:
a. Steal it from Toby
b. Cause some ‘emotional move’ despite Toby
Let’s look at each of them briefly.
1>> First level, if we’ve got a ‘show’ – we’ve got an act going on, and God’s not in
trite pretending or masks. So, God will not steal that – if we want to become real and
honest, He’ll teach us to leave that behind – but God Is not like man – God is not
looking for the next best actor to take some diluted message for Him. God even gives
strong warnings against those who would dilute the Word of God and teach others to
practice the same sins. “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who
called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but
there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But
even if we, or an angel from Heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we
have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say
again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received,
let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please
men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” (Galatians
1:6-10) And again: “Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these
commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of
Heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the
Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:19) ~ notice, God’s warning is against those who
break God’s commandments (without repentance) and teach others to boldly break
God’s commandments too. God takes that serious. God is certainly not trying to steal
Toby’s act for money.
2>> Second level, Toby then twists it – he asks someone (supposedly God) to steal his
show. What does Toby mean by this? Simple – “If you’ve got something to say, go on
and take it away…’ = basically: God, if you’ve got a better talent show, come on down
and dazzle my audience. IF God has something to say? God’s message hasn’t changed –
it’s not mystical, magical or entertainment. His Word is in the Bible – we can read it
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anytime, and need to spend quality time in it. Toby’s logic here clearly shows up in
the second verse, but I want to save that for last.
3>> Third level, Toby asks someone (supposedly God) to take his show away… from
him or for him? It gets blurry, but you can see those in the lyrics.
4>> Fourth level, the second verse gets very clear in what Toby is trying to do. “ So
now the crowd is hyped, that you showed up tonight, Anticipatin', cravin', somethin'
more than smoke and lights, So i'll step out the way, I'll give you center stage
Alright, Spotlight, give 'em what they came for…”
If you didn’t catch it in his lyrics, Toby confuses a number of things here.
1st – God is always around us, He’s just not ‘in’ everyone, though He holds all of our
molecules together. So, God didn’t just sponaneously ‘show up’ to Toby’s party – that
was Toby’s hype.
2nd – Toby notes that what draws some of (most of?) his crowd is the smoke and lights.
3rd – So, now Toby does what looks admirable at first – he steps out of the way to give
God center stage… hold up – look closer. Why was Toby centerstage in the first-place
with his smoke and lights and groove? Toby showing himself off isn’t giving glory to
God – just like any of us showing ourselves off isn’t giving glory to God – it’s getting
worship for us. That’s wrong, and when we see it, we need to stop and repent of it.
But, Toby doesn’t stop there – he continues. Toby then shines the spotlight for ‘God’
who’s now on center-stage and then says: “give ‘em what they came for…” Toby just
admitted that they came for smoke and lights (and groove music). God never
entertains – period.
Jesus didn’t for Herod (night of Jesus’ crucifixion)
“Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a
long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped
to see some miracle done by Him. Then Herod questioned Him with many words,
but Jesus answered him nothing. And the chief priests and scribes stood and
vehemently accused Him. Then Herod, with his men of war, treated Him with
contempt and mocked Him, arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him back to
Pilate.” (Luke 23:8-11)
Jesus didn’t perform for the people (after the miraculous feeding of the 5,000)
“Jesus answered them and said, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not
because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Do
not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to
everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has
set His seal on Him.’” (John 6:26-27)
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And Jesus didn’t perform for satan either
“… Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, ‘If/since You are the Son of God,
[prove it] command that these stones become bread.’ But Jesus answered satan
and said, ‘It is written, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God.”’ Then the devil took Him up into the holy city
[Jerusalem], set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ‘If/since You
are the Son of God, [prove it] throw Yourself down. For it is written: “God shall
give His angels charge over you,” and, “In their hands they shall bear you up, lest
you dash your foot against a stone.” Jesus said to satan, ‘It is written again, “You
shall not tempt the LORD your God.” Again, the devil took Jesus up on an
exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and
their glory. And satan said to Jesus, ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall
down and worship me.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you, Satan! For it is
written, “You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.”’
Then the devil left Him [for a more opportune time], and behold, angels came and
ministered to Jesus.” (Matthew 4:1-11)
That last temptation that satan said to Jesus is what is written right into verse 2 of
Toby’s song – offering God to use the platform that Toby built with his skills, his
sounds, and his message. That’s an offer God will always refuse and the only response
will be an echo, down here, but it will be thoroughly answered up there at the Throne
of God. Those who go for entertainment, follow people like Toby for his smooth, nonconvicting message of peace and joy and false comfort. Those who want the hard yet
real truths and blessings of God, they seek out the music that convicts and reminds us
to: “[pursue] holiness, without which no one will see the Lord…” (Hebrews 12:14)
“Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all
filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting [maturing in] holiness in the fear of
God.” (2nd Corinthians 7:1) And, even better – those who desire the Word of God, they
set aside quality time to be in the Word of God, because it’s important to them.
Okay, so how do we move forward from here?
Good question. I realize that the analysis here may come across tough to take in –
that’s ok. It looks to me like Toby has a false gospel and that he’s actively seeking
popularity with people and he’s on a downhill spiral. But, don’t take my word for it –
check these things out yourself and come to your own conclusions. If in my analyzing
Toby’s message against God’s message – and you start to filter more things through
the Word of God alone, then I’ve done my job as a servant of Christ.
 Let’s pray for God to keep raising up song-writers who won’t care about
popularity, but will just write Biblical lyrics that help people get right with
God.
 Pray that God keeps growing our discernment – spiritual eyesight, so we can
see through lies and half-truths more quickly and more clearly.
I pray for you all. Thank you for listening/reading and your encouragement and
prayers. Take care ~ your brother/friend, a growing servant/life-slave of Jesus, SH :)