How to Offer 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, KJV)

sacrifice of praise showing a man lifting up his hands

To offer a sacrifice of praise to God, we must first understand what this sacrifice is. Hebrews 13:15 not only describes the sacrifice of praise but also instructs us on how God wants us to offer it continually.

Let’s begin with the term sacrifice, rooted in Old Testament Temple practices under the Law. A sacrifice is something (in this case, an animal) that is slaughtered and presented to God as an offering. Among the many purposes of sacrifices, one stands out—to give God something that He is pleased with and accepts and delights in. Think about that. In the Old Testament, the bodies and blood of slaughtered animals presented to God could bring Him pleasure and acceptance.

Later, God slowly revealed to His people that animal sacrifices are not really what He wants(e.g., Isaiah 1:11). He hints that those animal sacrifices, the priests that offered them, and the rituals they performed were only shadows of the true sacrifices, the real priests, and the real heaven.

God does not want animals but people; He does not want dead animals but living people! So, the true or real sacrifices that God wants are people alive, talking, acting, and living for Him by His Spirit.

When these living sacrifices(true worshippers) speak and praise Him, their words are the real expressions of the true sacrifices that God delights in. You might not have realized this, but the words that come out of your mouth when you worship, praise, and thank God are priceless in the realm of the Spirit! Hebrews 13:15 defines the sacrifice of praise with these words, “that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

This verse quotes Hosea 14:2, which calls our words “calves.” So every time you praise the Lord, your words are like calves(cows) that are slaughtered, except they are the real sacrifices God truly desires!

And here is how God wants you to do it: continually offer the sacrifice of praise. In other words, in everything, give thanks. Let the praise and thanks to God flow in every circumstance. Remember, this is not merely an issue of the heart but your spoken words. Solomon offered 2,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats on the day the temple was dedicated, but all those offerings are nothing compared to your words of praise to God! So do not keep quiet. Learn to praise Him everywhere and every time.

Meditate

Think about the connection God makes between your words of praise and the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament.

Apply the Word

Putting this word to work is simple: continually praise God with your words. Learn to praise Him in good times and tough times, in or out of church. It could be as simple as “Lord, thank you,” or “Lord, I praise you.”