To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the GARMENT OF PRAISE for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. Isaiah 61:3
Praise releases power in the spirit realm
Scripture makes an undeniable connection between the praise of Gods people and the release of His power. Those who adhere to most religions have been taught that praising their chosen deity, directly brings benefit back to them and conversely, displeasing the “god” brings negative results and punishment. This tenant of worship has been passed down from culture to culture around the world.
Throughout the Bible, we see that the praise and glorification of God by His people, releases His power on their behalf – these bring the “sacrifice of praise” to our God.
From ancient times praise has acted as a sort of “super booster rocket launcher“, bringing His power from the spirit world, into the natural world.
God joyfully responds to truly heart felt praise and worship. He does not enjoy, nor respond to bored words, mouthed only out of a sense of duty, or because we think that doing so is supposed to entitle us to receive something that we’ve asked for. [Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:8, Mark 7:6]
Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 150
Satan and his cohorts of darkness cannot stand being in the presence of someone who is truly praising (loving on) God, they will flee rather than subject themselves to such torment. [James 4:7] They however, have no aversion to sitting in church services across the nation, as so many merely go through the requisite motions of religion.
Wherefore the Lord said, forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, BUT have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men. Isaiah 29:13
Let’s review just two scriptural examples of praise unleashing the power of God.
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you. And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord. And the Levites, of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with a loud voice on high. And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper. And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth forever. And WHEN THEY BEGAN TO SING AND TO PRAISE, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten. For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped. 2 Chronicles 20:17-24
Another example:
And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and SANG PRAISES UNTO GOD: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. Acts 16:23-26
Could it be?
Everything which we experience in the “natural world” has its beginnings in and is driven by happenings in the spirit realm. God, the creator of all is spirit, as are His angels, satan, his fallen angels, demons, etc. [Ephesians 6:12]
Therefore, if the praise or glorification of the one ultimate spirit – God, releases or magnifies the effects of spiritual assistance and or blessing, might not the same occur, when it is even inadvertently directed toward satan and/or his companions of darkness?
Throughout scripture, when a person began to worship an angel, the angel immediately refused such worship and directed the person to worship only God. However, satan and his cohorts actively seek the praise and glorification of men, that they may not only revel in it but that they may use it to gain their own ends. Satan tried to entice Jesus to worship him, he does no differently with people today. [Matthew 4:8-10]
While relatively few people actually “worship” satan as such, globally hundreds of millions unintentionally glorify/praise the hosts of hell, by way of eagerly seeking out and finding enjoyment in “entertainment” which depicts the earthly influence of the forces of darkness.
People must have shows, movies and books (including those targeted at the children’s market) about magic, battles between good and evil – whereby evil is portrayed in a positive light (i.e. shown as being grossly misunderstood and unfairly hated), satan, demons, witches and various “otherworldly” creatures. Extra-terrestrials, zombies, and the “walking dead” are the hot topics of modern entertainment.
A pastor once told of a conversation he’d had with Jesus during which the Lord asked this question, “Why is it that my people are “entertained” by the very things that I sacrificed my life to deliver them from? Why don’t they even consider how much it grieves me when they do this?”
Rules is rules…
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:7-9
God set forth rules and protocols for the heavens and on earth, by which He and all of His creation are bound. Might people’s acceptance of, fascination with, and pursuit of enjoyment of these things somehow, unbeknownst to us, equate to the glorification/worship of satan and his forces?
By people’s fixation upon these hellish beings and behaviors, might they unwittingly be nullifying the protective restraints that God put in place, which were meant to hold back the engulfing darkness?
Why is it that so many of God’s people allow themselves to be drawn by and to the celebration of His sworn enemies UNLESS it is by satans design, that he may gain for himself glorification and praise, thereby “super-boosting” and expanding his own power upon the earth? [2 Corinthians 4:4]
Satan wants what rightfully belongs only to God. His only use for people is to use them to bring pain and grief to God. He and his demons work tirelessly to:
- Draw peoples thoughts, adoration and worship away from God.
- Get people to glorify and satan and his cohorts, hoping to destroy the individual and others.
- Prevent people from learning of and pursuing a relationship with Jesus.
- Prevent those who pursue religion, from going past “religion” to having a true relationship with Jesus Christ.
How tragic and diabolical it is that Christians may be and are actually entertained by that which God hates and is greatly grieved by!
The next time we’re about to enjoy some entertainment, we should ask this question:
Would Jesus invite me to join Him to watch or participate in this particular activity, would He even offer to pay for it? Alternately, would He turn His face away…
Author
Worship in spirit and truth…..I often wonder what exactly does that look like..?? I know it’s impossible without the union of our spirit with the Spirit of God. We are incapable of true worship that is pure and unadulterated. What motivates us to worship and adore simply because the object of our affection and devotion is truly worthy..?? Holy Spirit please reveal the Christ, the Anointed One as he really is so that our approach is wholehearted for he alone deserves the highest praise that we are capable of. Cleanse us with holy fire so that no mindset, attitude or perspective interferes with an outpouring of worship, praise and adoration fit for the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Hey Michael,
Your observation is so accurate. For years I sort of “bristled” at the word praise, as in my mind it was akin to praising a dog for accomplishing a command. This just seemed SO wrong when applying it to God.
As my relationship with Him grew, genuine praise for how amazing He is began to bubble up from deep inside. Praise is not a commendation for something performed, but what comes from a deep love and adoration for the One who is the focus of our gaze and praise. Same is true of worship!
My name is Paula and I endorse this message!?
Love your comment Paula – we all need a chuckle and this said so much in just a few words!
Heartfelt worship is our privilege.
How cool it is that something can be so beautiful to the people of the God who himself, revels in it!
I’ve often thought the same, in fact, I was a few hours ago pondering on the many “horror” films that have been produced, and could not come up with why anyone should go to them. (This was previously today, before reading this article.) I’d read on Peniel Ngonde’ s (an African minister) site that much of the inspiration and some actual parts of these movies are actually straight from hell. I remember in particular one man’s testimony which said he’d seen beings that are exactly similar to Freddie Krueger in the underworld. I’m sure those involved with witchcraft and the occult are fully aware of all this. It all is very sad, and that it grieves the Lord is terrible.
Very interesting David M. I absolutely hate horror movies, but of recent, because of time of year, at work when I go to a patients room to administer care and horror flicks are playing I find myself absorbed by the movie, really hard to walk away…like a drug has been released. And days after those horror scenes keep creeping into my memory. Thanks for heads up…something I shouldn’t give myself to for even a moment!
Hey Joan,
When these scenes seem to dog you, just cast them out in the name of Jesus – because it comes from the demonic realm, it has to leave! His delegated authority to us, allows us so many wonderful things, including freedom from such harassments.
I used to suffer demonic nightmares EVERY Halloween night for decades – until I did just this and sent them packing!
Praise Him for all He does for us!!!
Agreed David,
This evil trash is not for the purpose of “entertainment”, but to bring varying levels of entrapment.
The creatures of darkness are not something to be played with – they are real and constantly looking for ways to draw even Christians into their spiritual web/trap.
Those who produce this stuff are well aware of what they’re doing, including the authors of the children’s books which have such a pull on people, children on up through adulthood..
Yes! Love this… Praise is not a motion, it’s not a thing we do because we have nothing better to do.
Praise is spiritual warfare. There are many instances of the Lord giving deliverance to His people when they praise Him. Praise Him when you don’t feel like praising. Praise Him even when tears of pain and hurt are pricking your eyes.
The Praise in-spite of, makes God take a second look at you, and love you. When He loves you, He will help you and release you from your problems. The more you praise, the stronger you will become. Supernaturally given strength will start to flow inside you. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Hallelujah!
So true May!