PRAISE SURVEY: A BIBLICAL EXPLANATION

PRAISE SURVEY: A BIBLICAL EXPLANATION

Thank you for your interest and/or participation in Teleios surveys. Teleios’ most recent survey explored how we praise God. There were 332 responses. For full results please click here.

QUICK OVERVIEW ABOUT PRAISE

• Definition of ‘praise’ – Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ‘praise’ as:
  • To express a favorable judgment or commend
  • To glorify (a god or saint) especially by the attribution of perfections

• Content of praise – Therefore, as a Christian what should be the content of biblical praise? The Bible gives some hints:
  • Acknowledgement of God’s perfect character (Ephesians 1:6)
  • Acknowledgement of God’s righteous actions (Psalm 139:14; Psalm 148)
  • Thankfulness (Hebrews 13:15)

• Reason we praise – Why do we praise God? The reasons are vital to our Christian life, and are listed below:
  • The Bible commands us to praise – It is our duty to praise God. However, God does not give us commands without reason, so several potential explanations follow below (Psalm 150; Romans 15:11; Hebrews 13:15).
  • He deserves praise – Our Father in Heaven is the almighty God who has provided for us salvation through his precious Son, Jesus Christ, as a free gift through faith that we could have eternal life. This salvation is our sure hope and anchor for our souls. Surely, He deserves glory, thanks, and praise (1 Peter 4:11; Hebrews 6:19).
  • It is good for us to praise – God made us! Therefore, He knows what is good for us. It is good for us to praise, at least for the following reasons:
    • God’s ordained order – Praise reminds us of the order of the universe. We are not the most important thing in creation. God’s goals and priorities are above, and better than, ours.
    • Humility – Realizing that God’s plans are more important than ours might limit our complaining and remind us that we are here to serve our great God.
    • Attitude – Praise teaches us thankfulness in realizing God’s gifts to us in creation, in Christ and His benefits in this life as our Father. These should promote an attitude of thankfulness and reduce our expectations (Philippians 4:8).We do indeed have a great God who is worthy of all praise!

SPECIFIC SURVEY QUESTIONS – Example verses are marked below to show correct responses

9. Why do we praise God?

• God commands us to praise Him (Hebrews 13:15; Romans 15:11)
• It feels good to praise Him
• I just do it along with other believers during church
• It places by relationship with God in proper perspective that He is God and I am his servant (1 Peter 1:7)
• God is due praise for all that He has done for us (Ephesians 1:6,14)
• It puts my prayers in proper perspective to pray according to God’s will (according to scripture) (1 John 5:14)
• It is our sacrifice to Him (Hebrews 13:15)
• He will answer my prayers more often if I praise

10. How do I praise? Please see following question

• Singing hymns
• Speaking in tongues
• Participate in a Christian dance group
• Verbally expressing recognition of god’s righteous character and actions
• Living a godly lifestyle
• Expressing gratitude to God because of his blessings to me
• Expressing God’s righteous character and actions to others
• Living a godly lifestyle
• Tell people you are blessed

11. Biblically how should I praise? There are few direct scriptures in the Epistles, but I marked those I believe helpful. We have great freedom in how we praise!

• Singing hymns (Colossians 3:16)
• Speaking in tongues
• Dance before the Lord
• Recognizing to God His righteous character and actions(1 Timothy 6:15-16; Romans 16:25-27)
• Living a godly lifestyle (Philippians 1:11)
• Expressing gratitude to God for His blessings to us (Ephesians 1:3,6,14; Hebrews 13:15)
• Expressing God’s righteous character and actions to others verbally (Hebrews 13:15)
• Tell people they are blessed(Ephesians 1:3)

12.  How does praising God help you? No direct scripture, but I marked reasons I believe helpful to us.

• It gives me joy to praise the almighty and righteous God of the universe (Philippians 4:8)
• Corrects my mind to remind me that God has purposes and desires greater than mine (Philippians 4:8)
• Causes me to be more humble (Hebrews 13:15)
• Allows me the opportunity to speak in tongues
• Helps God decide to give me more health and wealth benefits
• Helps God decide to answer my prayers
• Increases our wellbeing (Teleios Research shows this, please see our website; Philippians 4:8)
• Minimizes by complaining, realizing there are greater issues in life than my own problems
• Praising God does not help me

13. Should we ever praise fellow believers?

• No this takes Glory from God
• No, this is the pastor’s job
• No, it might make them vain and proud
• Yes, for behavior that helps the church or fellow believers(Colossians 1:1-8; Ephesians 1:15-16: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-7)
• Yes, for any behavior that is not sinful, that deserves commendation, that might encourage a fellow Christian (Romans 13:3; 1 Peter 2:14)
• Yes, as an example to other believers in how to encourage a fellow believer (Colossians 1:1-8; Ephesians 1:15-16) 

14. To whom do we direct our praise?

• God the Father (Hebrews 13:15; Philippians 1:11)
• Jesus the Son, the Christ
• The Holy Spirit
• Ourselves
• Other Christians when appropriate (Colossians 1:1-8; Ephesians 1:15-16)
• Other Christians indirectly when recounting their godly behaviors to another person (Colossians 1:1-8; 2 Corinthians 8:18; Philippians 4:16)