Praise is a Weapon

I heard somebody say once that praise is a weapon. After some study and ongoing confirmation and conviction, I truly believe that now even though I never would have thought of it that way before. To me, it’s always felt very counterintuitive and contradictory to offer up praise if I’m in the middle of a fight or battle.

However, I’ve learned that praise will silence the enemy, give us strength and lighten our load, and save us from our enemies. Therefore it’s an effective weapon. We can fight the enemy and even our own negative feelings with praise. Praise creates an atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to work and move and for God to answer prayers.

“Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” Psalm 8:2 (NIV)

“To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV)

“I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.” Psalm 18:3 (ESV)

Praise is a weapon that is different from other kinds of weapons

It’s both a spiritual offensive and a defensive weapon. God has given us different kinds of spiritual weapons to use. They are stronger and more powerful than any weapon of this world with which we might do battle. Praise as a weapon might seem unnatural but it IS supernatural.

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4 (NIV)

Praise as a weapon might seem unnatural but it IS supernatural.

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We praise in and by faith

Praising in the middle of a battle DOES seem counterintuitive and contradictory. We praise when it doesn’t make sense to do so because we have faith in the power of God. Praise is a weapon of faith—it’s a fight of faith. We praise in spite of the circumstances surrounding us.

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12 (NIV)

“Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NLT)

Praise is often a sacrifice and act of surrender

Praise is a weapon to use in spite of our feelings (and our negative feelings are sometimes even overcome with our praise). Because of this sometimes our praise is a sacrifice…because we don’t FEEL like doing it. It will cost us our time and our energy.

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise–the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” Hebrews 13:15 (NIV)

**Other verses using the phrase “sacrifice of praise”:  Jeremiah 33:11, Psalm 50:14, Psalm 107:22, Psalm 116:17, and Amos 4:5.

Praise invites God into the situation.

God inhabits the praises of his people. We invite the physical, tangible presence of the Lord in when we praise.

“But you are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22:3 (NHEB)

“The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the LORD with these words: “He is good! His faithful love endures forever!” At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the LORD. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the LORD filled the Temple of God.” 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 (NLT)

Praise acknowledges that God is greater.

Praise puts the focus on God. It enables us to see from God’s victorious point of view and reflects on his character and how he is bigger than anything we might be facing. This shifts our perspective to a higher vantage point where we see where our help really comes from. Additionally, praising in the midst of a fight or battle puts more faith in God’s power, potential, and promises than in our problem.

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills, from where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)

Praising in the midst of a fight or battle puts more faith in God’s power, potential, and promises than in our problem.

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Praise causes the enemy to flee.

When we praise, we are submitting ourselves to God and his power and resisting the devil. This in turn causes him to run away. The devil hates praise. In fact, I’ve heard it said that Satan and his demons hate praise so much that they can’t even stand to be in the presence of it, thus why it’s an effective method to drive him out.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NIV)

“And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.” 1 Samuel 16:23 (NLT)

“Satan so hates the genuine praise of Christ that his fiery darts of discouragement are not effective against us when we respond in praise.” -William Thrasher

Examples in the Bible that praise is a weapon:

King Jehoshaphat in a battle with three different armies

Probably the most well-known example that praise is a weapon is the story of King Jehoshaphat of Judah in 2 Chronicles 20 when he was under attack from 3 different armies (Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites). Jehoshaphat was terrified and begged God for guidance. Jahaziel then gave King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah a message from Goad that told them not to be afraid and that the “the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).

He then said, “you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you!” (2 Chronicles 20:17). Jehoshaphat sent out people ahead of the army to sing praises to God. As soon as the praise music started, the Lord caused the three attacking armies to start fighting against each other defeating themselves as a result. Praise was the only weapon King Jehoshaphat and the people of Judah had to use.

“After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the LORD and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!” At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the LORD caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.” 2 Chronicles 20:21-24 (NLT)

Paul and Silas in prison

Another familiar example of praise serving as a weapon of sorts was when Paul and Silas were in prison, put in stocks in the dungeon so that they could not escape. They started praising God while they were bound in prison. While they were praising an earthquake shook the foundations of the prison throwing open the doors and chains fell off of all the prisoners freeing them. In turn, this opened up an opportunity to tell several others (enemies, even) about Jesus and his power to save.

“Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!” Acts 16:25-26 (NLT)

David when Saul was tormented by a spirit

David, to whom we can attribute much of the Psalms which are laden with praise, knew well the power of praise in driving out the enemy. In 1 Samuel 16:14-23 we can read how the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul (a consequence of Saul’s previous actions and rebellion against God) which then opened the door for an evil spirit to come and torment him. Saul’s servants then suggested to him to have a musician come and play for him to soothe and calm him. Then they brought David to Saul, and when he played, the evil spirit left him.

“And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.” 1 Samuel 16:23 (NLT)

Joshua in the battle of Jericho

Another recognizable example of praise being used in battle as a weapon was when Joshua fought the battle of Jericho (can be read in Joshua 6:1-27). In this case, it was instruments and the shouts of the people that overcame the enemy. The people, per God’s instructions, had marched silently around the city with only the priests blowing trumpets for six days, and on the seventh day, trumpets were sounded and the people shouted which brought down the walls of the city allowing the Israelites to capture the city.

“When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.” Joshua 6:20 (NIV)

Take Some Practical Steps to Use Praise as a Weapon:

• When you are going through a battle of any kind, let praise always be your first weapon of choice.

Are you in the midst of any kind of trial, trouble, fight, or battle? If so, let praising God be your first strategy. It WILL feel unnatural, counterintuitive, and contradictory, but do it anyway! There are several ways you could use praise here…

-Listen to praise music, even and especially when you don’t feel like it. Sing along for added benefit!

-Praise God for who you need him to be for you in the midst of this fight…comforter, rescuer, avenger, wisdom-giver, etc. Focus on his character traits.

-Read scriptures of praise. Find scriptures that fit your situation.

-Praise God that HE will fight for you and with you. Put the focus and shift your perspective back to him and his power to be victorious. Acknowledge that he is bigger than what you are facing and that he can take ANYTHING and turn it around for good.

-Praise God for a promise that he has given you from his word. Find a “battle verse” or a scripture that fits your situation (the Holy Spirit will usually lead you to one—just ask him). Then praise God that he is a promise keeper and remind him of that verse.

• Listen to this song “Surrounded (Fight My Battles)” by Elyssa Smith, Upper Room. It’s a great example of what we’re talking about.

• Check out these other helpful posts on praise:

Why You Should Always Start With Praise

Praise Music Is a Spiritual Anti-Depressant

God From A to Z

Praising God from A to Z (with praise song links)

I Cry During Praise & Worship

How has praise been an effective weapon for you? Share with us by leaving a comment below.

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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

*Update: Originally posted 4/8/2019