In the first part of this study, we shared a Disciple of Jesus Meaning & Definition for new Christians. The guide is important because it also covers various principles of praise and worship. This article acts as an extension, and incorporates the same principles of praise and worship as weapons of spiritual warfare. Why? Why would we cover this to introduce new believers to Christianity? The reason is two-fold. First, we will learn to walk in greater victory with an attitude of praise. We will also prevail more strongly when we realize how much praise and worship are spiritual weapons. We could go much deeper on each individual topic in this study. This is just an overview to whet your appetite to dig deep into the Scriptures to grow strong in Jesus.
Spiritual Warfare Scriptures
Psalm 9:9-12: “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings. When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.”
He remembers them; he does not forget the cry of the humble.
Principles of Praise in Warfare
Praise Silences the Devil
Psalm 8:1-2: “O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.”
Praise actually enters us into warfare.
Praise Comes from the Mouth: Nothing Silent About It
See Psalm 34:1 and Psalm 8:2:
- Psalm 34:1: “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
- Psalm 8:2: “Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.”
Why babes? See Matthew 18:3: “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
Silence causes one to fall, repose, put down, or take away. Praise during times of ministry in church service. It begins to move us in the direction of victory.
Praise is a Garment of the Spirit
Isaiah 61:3: “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.”
Praise requires action, a decision; it’s something you do!
Praise Brings About Revelation
David received revelation iwhile playing his instruments in prayer and worship, for example.
Praise is an Absolute Way into God’s Presence
See Psalm 100:4: “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
Hindrances to Freedom in Worship
The purpose of covering this topic is to facilitate healing in our lives.
Condemnation, Guilt, Fear, or a Wounded Spirit
We would be amazed to find out just how many people are being hindered in their praise because of their past sins. In reality, through praise and worship we can be cleansed of sin.
People with a wounded spirit are still so tied up on the inside that as much as they want to they just can’t seem to break free. Sometimes it’s as easy as totally abandoning yourself to prayer and worship.
Pride
Pride is the greatest hindrance. It keeps us from lifting our voices and hands; from dancing & being free to worship for fear of man.
Presumption
We assume our “right” to approach God after living selfishly all week. In doing, we are presuming upon God’s grace.
Spectatorism
That is, getting caught up in watching what’s happening instead of worshipping.
- Listening to special music is not worship.
- No one else can worship for you. (Music minister, etc.)
Sentimentalism
Becoming more taken up with the music than the message of the song. Overly familiar songs are a danger to sentimentalism. The best defense against the Gospel is the Gospel. Always being the same tends to put us in a lull, which can lead to…
Lip Service
This refers to mouthing or singing the songs when our heart is not in it. The Lord despises half-heartedness and being lukewarm. Editor’s note: See Revelation 3:16: “So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
Fear of Manipulation
Like saying to oneself: “I’m not going to let this worship leader hype me.”
We’ve Never Seen it Done That Way Before
Innovation can stir us to stronger worship.
The Power of Anointed Music
Anointed Music Breaks Spiritual Bondage
See 1 Samuel 16:23: “And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.”
Saul was plagued with an evil spirit. Anointed music causes the power of the enemy to be broken. See also Isaiah 10:27: “And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.”
Anointed Music Uplifts a Defeated Spirit
See Psalms 25:1-2: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
See also Isaiah 61:3: “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.”
Notice the exchange that takes place – replacing heaviness with praise. In Hebrew, the word “heaviness” means “failings.”
A Spirit or Season of Failing
Many times as believers, we have a spirit or season of failing. In our life, we accept defeat. That is when we must choose to praise the Lord!
“A Bruised Reed Shall He Not Break”
See Isaiah 42:3: “A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.”
The candle wick represents the burning dimness about to be extinguished. The smoking flax in Hebrew actually means “spirit of failing.” The same Hebrew word is then used in Isaiah 61:3.
The promise is that the spirit of failing and defeat whose flames seems about to be extinguished, will not be allowed by God to be quenched if we clothe ourselves with Songs of Praise.
Anointed Music Brings Spiritual Victories
See Hosea 2:14-18: “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be at that day, saith the LORD, that thou shalt call me Ishi; and shalt call me no more Baali. For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name. And in that day will I make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven, and with the creeping things of the ground: and I will break the bow and the sword and the battle out of the earth, and will make them to lie down safely.”
See also Exodus 15: Moses & Miriam by the Red Sea.
The promise is made that God’s people will sing new songs of victory unto the Lord in times of trouble as they confront the enemy and will not suffer defeat as the Israelites did.
Testimonials
There are numerous testimonies of people with great bondages who were set free by being given praise and worship music to listen to on a daily basis. Some even received deliverance from demons by doing so.
A Warfare Scripture Passage
See Psalms 149: “Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp. For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a twoedged sword in their hand; To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people; To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron; To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.”
- Verse 1 – Praise: Halal – Hallelujah = to shine, to brighten up, to celebrate, to boast.
- Verse 2 – New: To be rebuilt, a fresh thing.
- Verse 3 – Sing: To shout celebration, sing w/ gladness, to rejoice w/ a triumphant voice.
- Verse 4 – Pleasure: To satisfy a debt or pardon.
- Verse 5 – High: To rise oneself up (decision)
- Verse 6 – Praises: Laudation, giving glory & honor. Today we would see this as praying in the spirit.
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