>You

When you download a pirated file from a file-share program, you are often downloading more than just that file. Viruses can be attached to program files, and extra information is commonly attached to your favorite song. Pornography, pop-ups, and spyware can all accompany your shared file and can even lead to computer damage in some cases. 

In addition, you are also breaking the law. While you may not steal a car or vandalize someone's property, you are still performing a criminal act when you illegally download music. Fines of up to $150,000 have been assessed to certain individuals for involvement in illegally downloading music and video. 

>The Artist

When you don't buy the CD or pay for the music, you are also robbing the artist. Music artists have two main sources of income: CD (or legal downloading) sales and concerts. When they lose money from the CD sale side, they are forced to charge more for concerts and, in return, lose some of their sales. The music industry really does lose money, too. In 2002, music sales were down a whole 10% even after several previous years of decline in sales (courtesy of BBC news). According to the RIAA, online music sales were down 25% that year [2002] and the decline in sales was sharpest at 39% in the third quarter. In addition, comScore also reported that other non-music online commercial sales were increased by up to 30% in 2002. This was just three years after Napster, the first big file-sharing program, was introduced. While file sharing and illegal downloads may not have accounted for everything, it is clear to see how much impact that illegal downloads have on the music industry.

>Your Parents

If you are still living at home and are using your parents' computer, then by law they are at risk to be fined for illegal music download as well. When people are targeted for lawsuits regarding file-sharing, the person who owns the computer is legally responsible for the action, not the person who uses the computer. Therefore, you are not only putting yourself at risk for fines and lawsuits, but you are also putting your parents at risk as well.

>God

In Exodus 20:15, God specifically says "You shall not steal," and he doesn't stop there. Leviticus 19:11, Deuteronomy 5:19, Matthew 19:19, Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20, Romans 13:9, Ephesians 4:28 all specifically say not to steal as well. Why would we as Christians even think about stealing music after God specifically said not to at least eight different times? He wasn't just playing around. Think about what happened to Achan when he stole in Joshua 7. He cost the Isrealite army thirty-six lives and a defeat at Ai. 

Pirating music is not only illegal, but it is sinful and draws you away from the Father. Why risk something so wonderful as a relationship with the Heavenly Father? Why break His heart to save a few bucks?

>Others 

In Titus 2:7, the Bible says "In everything set them [other believers] an example by doing what is good." As believers in Jesus Christ, we must set an example for not only the world around us but also for other believers. When we sin, we can lead others off of the path of righteousness as well. Mark 9:42-49 spends an entire paragraph explaining the consequence of causing sin. 

In addition, Matthew 5:13 says "You are the salt of the Earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." Salt is only good because nothing else is like it. It brings a zest into bland food like nothing else can. In the same way, we as believers are like salt because no one else has our love for Jesus Christ or our standards. We are different. However, when we become like the world and lose our "saltiness," and the Bible says we are good for nothing anymore. Everybody pirates music. Why would we want to partake in that and lose some of our saltiness? The more we do it, the less of an example we are setting for others in the name of Christ. 

The next time you are sitting at your computer ready to download the next latest hit, just think: would Jesus pirate music?