By Pastor Barron Greenwalt

July 22, 2025Dear En-Joy Ministries Family,

Today, the world mourns the passing of Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath and a towering figure in heavy metal music. Social media is abuzz with tributes, celebrating his musical genius, his larger-than-life persona, and his cultural impact. As your pastor, I feel compelled to address this moment, not to join the chorus of celebration, but to offer a perspective rooted in our faith in Jesus Christ. In doing so, I must be transparent: in the late 1980s and early-to-mid 1990s, as a younger man, I listened to some of Ozzy’s music. Like many, I was drawn to the raw energy of his songs. But as an adult and a growing follower of Christ, I now see his legacy through a different lens—one that grieves more than it glorifies.

Ozzy Osbourne’s life was undeniably influential. His work with Black Sabbath pioneered a genre, giving voice to the disillusioned and shaping music history. His reality show, The Osbournes, humanized him as a flawed but relatable figure. Yet, as Christians, we must look beyond worldly achievements and ask: what does a life mean in light of eternity? Ozzy’s public persona as the “Prince of Darkness,” his flirtation with dark and sometimes Satanic imagery, and his well-documented struggles with addiction and excess paint a picture that is hard to reconcile with the call to holiness we find in Scripture (1 Peter 1:15-16). While he claimed to be a member of the Church of England and denied worshipping Satan, his lifestyle and the themes he embraced often sent a different message, one that, intentionally or not, glorified rebellion and indulgence over surrender to Christ.

I share my own history with Ozzy’s music not to boast or excuse it, but to avoid hypocrisy. In my youth, I didn’t fully grasp the weight of what I consumed. The driving riffs of “Crazy Train” or “Paranoid” were captivating, but I now recognize how such music can subtly shape our hearts, pulling us away from the “whatever is pure, whatever is lovely” that Philippians 4:8 calls us to dwell on. My journey from that place to where I stand now as your pastor reflects God’s grace and the transformative power of His Word. It’s a reminder that none of us are beyond redemption, but also that redemption requires a turning away from sin and a turning toward Christ, a step we cannot assume for anyone, including Ozzy.

The outpouring of tributes today, even from some who profess faith, troubles me. Celebrating a legacy without wrestling with its spiritual implications risks glorifying what God calls us to reject. Ozzy’s life, marked by talent but also by tragedy, should not be romanticized as a triumph. His struggles with addiction, his public scandals, and the dark imagery he leaned into, whether theatrical or not, point to a life that, absent a clear testimony of repentance, stands as a cautionary tale. As Christians, we are called to love the person, not the persona. I am sure that many prayed for Ozzy’s soul, hoping that in his final moments he found peace with Christ, but we cannot celebrate a life that so often stood in opposition to the gospel.

Scripture reminds us that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Ozzy’s death is a sobering reminder of this truth. His story is not one to emulate, but one to learn from. It challenges us to examine our own lives: What are we chasing? What messages are we amplifying? Are we, like the prodigal son, running from the Father, or are we running toward Him? As a church, let us commit to praying for those still caught in the allure of fame, rebellion, or addiction, that they might encounter the transforming love of Jesus.

I invite you to join me in reflecting on Psalm 90:12: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Ozzy Osbourne’s passing is not a moment to celebrate a legacy, but to grieve a life that could have been so much more in Christ. Let’s use this moment to rededicate ourselves to living for God’s glory, sharing His love, and pointing others to the only legacy that lasts—an eternity with our Savior.

With love and prayers,
Pastor Barron Greenwalt
En-Joy Ministries