The Sacrifice of Praise

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. (Hebrews 13:15)

We are called to be people who continuously praise. Not because we feel like it, but because we understand who our God is and whom we place our hope in. The sacrifices God required in the Old Testament were animals, or wheat and oil, but now the sacrifice He desires from New Testament believers is praise.

If praise were only musical, Scripture would never command it consistently. And if praise were optional, the enemy would not fight so hard to silence your voice. Praise is not just clapping; it’s not something you do only during the fast song on a Sunday. Praise involves using your voice to declare what God has already decreed. Scripture instructs clapping only once, and when it does, it calls for a shout to go with it. Praise is loud and vocal. Trees clap. Rivers clap. But faith-filled believers confess with our mouths what we believe.

Paul wrote in Hebrews that sometimes praise is a sacrifice. Sacrifice means it costs something. Sacrifice means it is offered when your flesh doesn’t want to. Sacrifice denotes an intentional act, not a merely convenient feeling.

Notice when Paul says to offer that sacrifice of praise, not only when things improve or you feel like it. He wrote to do it “continually,” meaning praise isn’t meant to depend on things happening for your benefit or a moment of happiness. It’s meant to be a regular part of our routine as believers.

Practical Application

When you feel the sting of accusation or the enemy attacks your thoughts, offer to God the sacrifice or praise. Complaining empowers fear. Praise establishes the dominion and authority you have been given from Christ.

Hosea 14:2; Ezra 3:11