Praise is a weapon

Intro: Have you heard a song that really moved you, maybe it brought tears to your eyes or maybe There’s that song that bring back memories from the good old days. There is also that song that really encourages you and lifts you up. A lot of times you will see sport players listening to head phones before they perform to get them all pumped up. The point is that there is power in music. Music can be used as a weapon for good or bad. Satan knows the power of music and has used it to influence many people to commit crimes and even to take their own lives. You see we learn from music and words together. For ex. ABCD… My question to you is what are you listening to today, what words are being played in your music? Are they words that edify your spirit? Are they words that bring honor and glory to our Heavenly Father. You see it’s important we guard what we listen to because it because a part of who we are. Ever hear a song and all day long you find yourself singing or humming the tune. Central Truth: is found in psalms 34 :1 and it says “ I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.” Praise him for who he is and he'll show you what He can do! Points: So how can we use Praise and Worship as a weapon to fight the enemy? 1. We must use Praise/Worship to lift our eyes from the battle to the victory. In order to do that we must let God fight for us. We need to realize that the battle is not ours, but God’s. 2 Chronicles 20:15 15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. We must recognize our human limitations and allow God’s strength to work through our fears and weaknesses. We must make sure we are pursuing God’s interests and not just our own selfish desires. We must ask God for help in our daily battles. Remember, as believers, we have God’s Spirit in us and as we begin to praise/worship Him God will help us when we face struggles. God will fight for us and God always triumphs. Above all when we go into battle we must put forth first our praises to our King. 2 Chronicles 20:21 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of hisholiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” Victory was there’s the enemy was so confused they destroyed themselves. We may not fight an actual enemy army but every day we battle temptation, pressure and rulers of the unseen world. But we must always remember what psalms 34”1 says “ I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.” 2. We must use praise /worship to see us through hardships. Heb 13:15 says we must make a sacrifice of praise. Sometimes we may not feel like praising Him. Despite our situations we may find ourselves in from time to time we need to always praise God. No matter what our circumstances, we need to continually offer up praises to God. Something happens when we praise God, especially when we are going through a really tough time. It confuses the enemy. When we are able to praise Him no matter what the circumstance, He tears down the walls of the prison built up all around us. And at the right time, at the midnight hour, the walls come tumbling down. Acts 16:25-26 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. When the enemy has you oppressed at the midnight hour, start lifting up the name of the Lord! He shows up, and He frees us from bondage. And who the Son sets free is free indeed! Chains are gone got a new song. Praise God no matter how you feel. He is worthy of praise no matter what the circumstances. God responds to the praises of His people. Illustration: There was a small boy who would love to get his logos out all over the living room floor and play for hours and hours; his mother didn’t mind him doing so as long as he always picked them up when he was threw playing. One day the mom came home to find all his legos all over the floor so he yelled for her son and no answer, as she continued her search for him she found him in the family room where his dad was playing the piano, the mom told the little boy he needed to pick up since he was finished playing. The little boy said no mommy I want to sing Jesus loves me. Just then his dad spoke up and said "It's no good singing God's praise if you're disobedient. Application: you see if we want our praise and worship to be effective weapons against the enemy we have to be obedient in all areas of our lives. Don’t think just because you come to church each Sunday and praise and worship our God that the rest of the week you can do as you please. John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 2 Cor 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Praise is a weapon and we must use it.