When DC Talk released this song, "The Hard Way", they pitched it to MTV as well. MTV declined to air this music video because "it doesn't do anything for us." Shows exactly where their heart and worldview lies...in direct opposition to this song's harsh yet true message: the wages of sin is death. Crime and punishment. Plain and simple. Hence why we all need a Savior. Thank you, DC Talk, for being so bold and honest with your music.
I stopped watching MTV the day I got done with prayer and bible study and I turned on my tv and literally heard a teenage boy " praying to Satan" my youth pastor at the time had been warning us about watching MTV for years. He said that the leader of Acquire the fire ministries had interviewed the President of Viacom about whether he marketed to a certain age demographic 15- 30 or something along those lines. He straight up answered " We don't market to them we own them". The same people who own Viacom also run Nickelodeon. They have an agenda for making lifelong consumers " from the cradle to the grave" by pushing certain ideas on the younger generation. It started back in the 80s and is just getting worse. Best to steer clear of that type of branding or influence altogether. Have you read the book " Battle cry for a generation?" It explains this better than I can.
I had to learn the hard way. Was involved in one of LA's voilent gangs.Was shot twice od'd on heroin, seen many of my friends murdered, od'd, some doing life in prison. Spent 13 years in and out of juvenial hall, county jail, and state prison, but thank God that God did not give up on me. Now i have the privlage of pastoring a church reaching souls for the Kingdom of God!
What a testimony. How many nights did you look up at the ceiling wondering why you were even born. Now you've been through the fire and can provide direction away from it to countless young men. You are amazing and irreplaceable! ❤
I first saw this video in my prison cell, in my 18th year of incarceration. It gave me hope in knowing that there were actually people on the outside that, 'remembered those in prison, as ye suffer with them'...for the first time in the 20 years since my release, I just came across it the other day. Man, I cried, I know the faces. And until you've viewed the guard tower from inside the prison yard, wow. Thanks for the posting...
The beautiful thing about God is that he is a forgiving and loving God; through our good times, bad times, and of the best of times. Just like falling off a bike, we as His children, when we fall, He is always there to pick us back up regardless. Just like any parent will tell us..."we got to learn the hard way".
What I love about Christian artists is that 9 times out of 10 they stick to Christian music, and worshipping our Lord Heavenly Father. You rarely ever see or hear (if it truly really has ever happened) about an Christian artist in the news regarding something crazy stupid as far as beinga arrested, drinking, or drugging.They walk, talk, and act of who and what they are all about and that is being disciples of God and spreading his message and his love. God is good!!
Still a great song and let us never forget the brothers and sisters in prison...been doing prison ministry for 35 years and i really do love this song....i still dig DC TALK...
this song slaps fr....and I mean SLAPS with truth and Love of the LORD our God. Hallelujah..ay'...Hallelujah Thank you God so much for blessing us all with dc talk for they, Father, pour in to us. I pray that you bless them and all that commented and will comment on this channel, and I pray that you bless the people running this channel. Hallelujah in Jesus name Amen.
Love you DC Talk. This was one of my favorite music videos as a kid. It resonated with me so much, seeing those men and prison. As I get older, I sooo much appreciate the fact that DC Talk is still one of the only bands to actually do prison ministry and focus on racial equality and relating to believers and non believers with the most amazing music to my ears. I dont care what anyone says. Their ministry blew my mind as a kid. Its a shame to see the racial divide today. I remember when Toby was much younger and he playfully said "Im mixed" and he also said "white is also a color" which is true. Imagine making those statements today, tho. People would be so "offended" instead of adhering to the beautiful message. We're all colored people. This was one of the purest bands in history and will probably never happen again. They never politicized themselves, it was all about Jesus and loving your brother. I miss y'all sooooo much. I cry when I see these videos. I had all your music video collections as a kid and would watch them for hours LOL. And I had the concert tapes too and the on the road documentaries. I love y'all soooooooo much MUAH!
I'm now in my fifties, yet young at heart, til I go to My Father. Learned the hard way that christian music needs saving. So much beauty but far from what reaches the lost. Toby Mac out here singing "Help is on the way" keeps me singing. More christian singers need to aspire to develop a rich, full sound. Believers need to invest in the artistry that the world has invested in. Otherwise, we have two Chris Brown's and don't know which way to turn. Both Chris Brown's are talented. But one is playing as a goat, sacrificed. The other praising the one true God. And the world chooses to hear the goat, because man, that is music to our ears.
Just writing to say your comment was a great one..the band spoke to all of us with truth,well written and truly great songs that touched the heart as well as the mind...take care
I hate when they call white people white like it's not a color. White people aren't white either. We're more of a tan color. Black people actually have brown skin.
This song, to me, is exactly what I needed to hear the day before Valentine's Day. Christians aren't perfect, and we still mess up. Yet no matter how bad our crime, God takes us back into his arms, loving us more than we can possibly fathom. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
Anyone who has gone through a bottom or is an addict or alcoholics in recovery can totally identify with this song I need Gods help each and every day.
I was raised christian, but I never liked the label of religion. I don't identify as a christian, but these guys are just speaking the truth, as jesus did. I had to learn the hard way. It's better to learn the hard way than to just believe something without truly understanding it at your core. That is my experience.
man this used to be my jammm. Vivid memories of my twin brother and I singing along to this in the car with our mother.. Must have been at least 4 or 5 back then.. aw man
I saw DC Talk in concert back in 1995 when I was 10. I loved every min of the concert and was a great experience I will never forget. I love their music.
This song has been the song of my life. I fell in love with DC Talk in 89....Winter Jam in OKC. 30 years later it means more than I ever thought it would mean. Thank you for being a redeeming God!
@@celtjade Yes those are the few men waiting for Bible study Everyone else was locked in their cells They had a mini concert at the Chapel There were 1500 men there Only about 30 were Christian s The rest Muslims or did not care I coulda been in the video I went home Nov 2nd 1989
Sin brothers and sisters mothers and fathers and to the young let us repent before God through faith in Jesus name nothing else matters.. eternity praise Jesus and only to God be the glory for ever and ever amen
I've been a prison guard Over the murderers in the men's prison in the LA area of California and law enforcement in the Army, New York, Chicago, LA, LA County and been on the LA Swat Team . Plus I've fought combat on the front lines in all four branches of the military, including hand to hand combat. And after one of my best friends said they were glad they went to jail because it straightened them out, I am really thankful for this music music video ! REV. DR. SUSAN E. TURNER THE FIRST !
The problem is we forget that Christians are sinners and human, therefore they will hurt people at times. Also just because someone claims to be a Christian doesn't mean they are either. We need to remember we need to keep our hearts and eyes on God and all the other things will fall in place. I am sorry if you've been hurt.I think we've all have been hurt by people in the past, family, Christians, friends, and the list can go on and on. We just need to remember to love them and move on,
I needed hear those words and now the message is starting to reach me. I am finding myself coming back and he is welcoming me back with open arms like I never left. God is good! Thank you for being his tool to help a lost soul even if you didn't know you were going to help.
This song explains the way that I had to learn. I mean I had a crazy sinful life and got into trouble as a youth and even after I had been punished I still haven’t learned until I went to and went to the Church My Uncle went to and that completely changed me ! I was always at Church Sunday morning before it opened so I could be there to fellowship with the other Church members when they got there. My Paster Gil only preached from the Scripture and I loved that so much. I had to move away but I’m searching for another Church that has a Preacher that Preaches like Pastor Gil.
Love this song. "But you accept me every time and again and never mention just how selfish I've been" - really shows God's grace for us. Everlasting and loving Father.
I grew up on (with) DC Talk. Still my favorite christian hip hop group of all time...cuz they started it. They were the first big group that showed you could be successful doing christian hip hop. T-Pain, The Grits, Lecrae, etc. all owe thanks to DC Talk
Grew up listening to DC Talk, one of my favorite bands. Saw them twice in 2 nights in Michigan. This song, I was thinking about the other day. I've drifted from the church, don't really care. What's funny is the lyrics still pop up in my head from time to time.
So true..I happen to be 1 of those people..Thank god Ive finally acknowledged my faults and began walking in the right direction..Blessings from 2012..peace..........
My ex is still learning things the hard way and now she's walked out of a court ordered drug rehab for the second time in two years.I've prayed for her innumerable hours on end and hopefully this trip won't be a one way trip to hell.
I hope that she found her freedom from addiction..God delivered my husband from addiction. It took a long time and a lot of praying but he is living for God now and I couldn't be more proud of him.
Keep praying. My friend's daughter finally changed & it's lasting this time. She didn't go back to her old life in spite of many trials... "There's no pit so deep that Jesus is not deeper still." Corrie Ten Boom
I want y'all to know I love you guys and appreciate the standard you set for us, for calling attention to the needs of mankind out of the goodness of your hearts. Till the day I die, you will be my top heroes. I wear my TobyMac sweatshirt with pride and admiration. Keep up what you are doing no matter what comes. I mean it when I say I love you. That means for life and beyond. Wish I would have gotten a classic DCTalk t-shirt when I saw you in concert (good Lord was that over 15 years ago???) Blessings, my brothers.
15 years is not so bad! For me it will be 22 years ago this Sunday. Couple weeks before they were on The Tonight Show! After Kevin did the thing with his hair and like buzzed it all off. Toby Mac hardly ever comes to Canada! Newsboys were here in 1996 not since then. Canada is not really evangelised. Total spiritual famine up here no food to eat lots of flies in our food. Lots of Bimbos in the basket going to Babylon riding on the wings of the storks. No spiritual warfare in Canada.
+micks336...bimbos in the basket is a good line. I will have to use it now. I want to come to Canada one day...there is spiritual warfare in every place now. Mexico or Canada...hmmmmm. How are the winters there? Cold I bet. :) Flies in your food for reals? GEESH!!!
@@thordadrocks3263 I wrote that post over six years ago. Stephen Harper was the PM. Maybe get a life! I may not be a Christian anymore. It's all that Canadian socialism that offends the Christian snob such as yourself that has turned me off. Posts like yours. Ever even been to Canada ever left the USA? The land alone is enough to make one a believer because of its vast Beauty. No wonder americans are jealous.
I learned the hard way...so much self inflicted wounds..but I found my knees...and I found the way.Thru losses dear to me.Here I am now...cofessing a way in faith.Wow....just nothing but faith of things not known yet remain to be seen.I believe it...then see it!
:-) .....bless u too........ am i the oldest guy here? hahaha....at 38, still love their music.....that's how powerful music is...... (it reached me all the way from one of the remote islands in the Philippines during the '90's)
@MrBlktalon3 We are much alike you and I and agree whole heartedly with what you have written here. This song has seen me through a very tough and rough test. I love it and I love them. Praise God for the music that he bring's us through them. I love the song "IN THE LIGHT" it to has comforted me in some hard time's.
This is like the theme song of my life. I remember seeing these guys in concert like 7 times a a youngster. I still love their music like 30 years later. 🥰❤️
never thought this would be anything i would relate to, but my son has been incarcerated for almost 5 yrs now and has come up for parole for the first time. 🙏 praying he makes it and comes home a better person somehow. 💔
how old is this song - and still it gives me chills. dct may never work together again and that's ok - the music God gave them during those years still speaks.
Moved from Florida to Georgia in 1996, listened to this over and over on my boom box in the back seat of my ‘84 Camaro on the way up here. Probably heard it a thousand times by now. Such a great song and reminds of Gods grace, we mess up so many times and yet he loves and forgives us. These are tough times but God’s grace, mercy, and love are never changing!
I pray to Dctalk that the remove the hard way and enemy of the state off my life. Ive been good to my family. I pray mom and dad continually know how good ive been to them. I pray they continue to be sweet to me and they help me have my sons. I love my babies.
Sometimes people gotta learn the Hard Way. Listen to DC talk they rock. I am Stephen brown and I am telling you these guys can get up and get down. they are not like me just a clown, They rock your socks on your block, so even you decorated your Christmas tree with toilet paper, listen to DC Talk before you bounce and see me later. ..,
Everybody talks ,but no one copy paste the lyrics . Some people gotta learn the hardway I guess I'm the kinda guy That has to find out for myself I had to learn the hardway, Father I'm on my knees and I'm crying for help Now I've been high and I've been low I've been some places that you will not go I never thought there would come the day When I wished I never would've lived this way But I've been searching for a long, long time I thought the devil was a friend of mine I turned my back on everything that was true And wasted years that belong to you [repeat chorus] It took so long for me to see That I'm a victim of nature and me Left to myself I realize I am the maker of my own demise But you accept me every time and again And never mention just how selfish I've been Why must it always take me so long to see That I have fallen but you will forgive me? [repeat chorus 2x] The warning signs are like flares in the night Still I proceed my greed is in spite of the fire I know that's bound to burn Why is it that I always gotta learn... The hardway, the hardway, I had to learn the hardway The hardway, the hardway, I had to learn the hardway
Turned my back on everything that was TRUE... That was ME at one time in my life... I Pray that Amanda doesn't have to learn the same way :'( Please pray for God to touch and heal Her heart from past hurts. When that happens, I believe She will be able to see what HE is offering US. But I know *I* can't change Her, and I don't want to, only God can...
I honestly believe that the hard way is the only way to truly find god. I was born and raised in a christian home, and I accepted god at a young age, but only recently have I had struggles and truly found god. Jeremiah 29:13 When you seek me you will find me, when you seek me with all your heart. God bless DC talk for insight, and if any disagree with me, please feel free to say so. I do not claim to know all, unlike many whom I have met.
One of my most cherished childhood memory was when my brothers and I sang this song together. We were 8, 7 and 4. When I hear this song it brings me back to that moment and always remind me that our Father will always accept us Him if we ask Him.
