#173 (This is the 5th in a series)
Introduction: Even when we are persuaded that praise is the right and proper thing to do, we
have a Strong tendency not to praise the Lord. We use all kinds of excuses not to praise the
Lord. Shyness or that we are not outgoing type person or not a demonstrative individual The
Bible does not excuse anyone. Psalm 150:6. There is only one that has an excuse. Psalm
115:17.
I. There are eight major areas of hindrances to praise.
1] Sin
1. Sin - The first hindrance to praise
A. Why the unconverted don't, and why some Christians don't.
2. Condemnation = Not easy sometime to forgive our selves.
a. God has freely forgiven, now forgive yourself.
a. Worldliness is the opposite of Spirituality.
a. See God as someone just looking to jump us if we do something
wrong so He can condemn.
a. So many have been brought up in traditions that frown on praise and worship.
a. Our unwillingness to acknowledge; our egotism will not allow us to do so.
a. His thoughts and opinions create a real snare.
8. Satanic oppression = this is the most serious.
a. Remember the deep hatred Satan has for God?
A We will list them and discus them one by one. They are:
Conclusions: The inability to praise and worship God indicates a blockage somewhere. The problem must be dwelt with. Keep seeking God until the victory comes. Rivers of praise will be released from your innermost being.
2]Condemnation
3] Worldliness
4] Wrong concept of God
5] Religious tradition
6] Pride
7] Fear of men
8] Satanic suppression
1. Unconfessed sin inhibits us in the presence of God.
2. When sin is in our life, we are uneasy in God's presence. Psalm 66:18, Isaiah 59:1-2
b. Realization of sin in our life ties our tongue before the Lord.
1. Need to confess that sin' accept forgiveness and cleansing.
2. Be restored to that right relationship with God. 1 John 1:7-9
1. Often this results in unworthiness.
b. This attitude comes from 'self conscience' instead of 'God conscience.'
2. Freedom to worship is inhibited, one 'hangs the head'.
3. In God's presence one's unworthiness seems magnified.
4. Their failure to recognize God's grace and favor, His mercy extended to them.
1. Looking at self with a 'negative attitude'.
c. This ultra critical inspection of self is very unhealthy.
2. Searching for all our faults and short-comings.
3. QUIT!! We are not perfect, look for the positive.
1. Causes one to focus on self and not on Jesus.
d. This is how praise begins --- "Looking to Jesus"
2. Hebrews 12:2 = "look unto Jesus ---Who is . . . . �
3. This gets our thoughts off ourselves and on Jesus.
4. The more we look to Jesus and meditate on Him, it occupies our thoughts, focus is on Jesus, the more we will praise Him.
1. Our admiration and appreciation will grow continually.
3. Worldliness = "everything which cooleth my affection for Jesus Christ"
2. Our awareness of 'His worthiness' will increase, our unworthiness decreases.
1. The condition when our mind is centered on things of this world and not on kingdom things.
b. Our first concern as Christians is to please the Lord.
2. "What will people think?" is a trait of worldliness.
1. This does not always please carnal man.
4. A wrong concept of God.
2. One cannot be concerned in pleasing man and winning favor.
3. Don't displease God = PRAISE HIM!!!
1. Feel oppressed with everything, have no hope of pleasing God.
b. Praise begins to rise in our hearts when we gain a right concept of God.
2. Fail to enjoy the presence of God, his approval of us in our praise.
3. God doesn't want to stop us from enjoying ourselves.
1. We must allow the Holy Spirit to show us God.
5. Religious traditions - A problem in Christ�s day-. Matthew 15:6
2. God will be revealed to us through His Word.
3. We open our minds and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to us. [This is the hardest area to overcome]
b. Thought = = Religion represses, but redemption releases.
1. Men get 'imprisoned' in tradition and have the wrong concept of God.
6. Pride == Hard to deal with the 'pride of the heart'
2. God to them is completely unemotional, stern and forbidding.
a. Ministers need the courage to expose these traditions.
b. Open minds and hearts must be opened to God's Word.
c. Accept what the Holy Spirit reveals as to what our error is.
3. Willing to abandon tradition and embrace the word of God.
1. James 4:10 - Humble yourself
b. Pride is concerned with self-image.
2. 1 Peter 5:5-7 God will resist us and break our pride.
1. Wanting to be seen doing what is the 'right and proper' thing.
7. Fear of man. Proverbs 29:25 "the fear of man - bringeth a snare".
b. Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"
I. With reverence to God, no fear of man.
c. Side note = = If man doesn't like your praise, that is their problem, never allow opinions to hinder, inhibit your praise and worship.
2. We should always seek to please God in all things.
1. Satan loathes hearing people praise God.
b. It was Satan's deep-rooted jealousy that caused his down fall.
2.He wants all the praise to God for himself.
3. He wanted Jesus to bow down to him and worship him. Matthew 4:9
1. He wants to think himself greater than God. Isaiah 14:13-14
c. Have you seen a person who couldn't speak the name of Jesus?
2. His jealousy and rage is kindled when God's people praise.
3. This is why Satan desires to suppress any real praise and worship.
(Use some expression like 'the man upstairs' etc.]
1. Satan re-acts strongly to the Name of Jesus.
2. It is the Name of Jesus and Jesus Name we praise our God.
