Raised Hands in Worship Are Not Automatically Prideful

In a world where nearly every action can be broadcast and scrutinized, even simple acts of worship raise difficult questions. Should Christians raise their hands during worship? Or close their eyes? Or weep? And if they do, are they genuinely glorifying God or just showing off?

This concern isn't new. Jesus directly addressed it in Matthew 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them.” He followed with examples of giving, praying, and fasting done with the wrong motive: public performance rather than private devotion.

But does this principle apply to worship settings today? And if so, how can we tell the difference between faithful expression and spiritual display?

Motives Matter More Than Movements

Jesus didn’t say public acts of faith are always wrong He said doing them to be seen by others is. The key is not the visibility of the act but the intention of the heart. That’s why in the same Sermon on the Mount, just one chapter earlier, Jesus urged:

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Notice the contrast. In Matthew 5, visible good works are encouraged when they point to God’s glory. In Matthew 6, the same actions become spiritually dangerous when they’re done to boost our image.

God isn’t looking for invisible Christians. He’s looking for humble ones.

Yes, Worship Can Be Performed

Raising your hands during worship can be an act of surrender, joy, and reverence. But it can also be done for attention. So can singing loudly, closing your eyes, kneeling, or even remaining perfectly still.

There are no behaviors so sacred that they’re immune to pride. In fact, the more “spiritual” something looks, the easier it is to twist into self-promotion.

As Romans 7:18 reminds us, “nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.” This includes even our most sincere worship moments. Our sinful nature can boast in quiet reverence just as easily as in bold expression. The question is never what we’re doing it’s why.

Every Act of Worship Is a Heart Test

So, how can you know if your public worship is authentic? Here are three biblical diagnostics:

1. Are You Seeking God’s Pleasure or Man’s Praise?

The praise of others is real and intoxicating. But Jesus warns that when we chase it, it’s all the reward we’ll get. No deeper joy, no divine affirmation just a fleeting moment of recognition.

Ask yourself: Would I still raise my hands if no one else were watching? Would I still sing this passionately if I were alone? If the answer is no, take a deeper look at your heart.

2. Are You Loving Others Through Your Worship?

Paul offers this piercing guidance in Philippians 1:9: “That your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment.” Love should always shape our freedom.

Imagine you’re in a congregation where no one raises their hands. Do you raise yours anyway? Or would that distract others and turn attention away from God?

Love doesn’t mean hiding your worship but it does mean being mindful of how your expression affects the people around you. What helps one person may hinder another.

3. Do You Want God Glorified More Than Yourself?

The true goal of worship is not emotional experience or personal affirmation it’s God’s glory. When our hands rise, our voices swell, or our eyes weep, the hope is that people see Him, not us.

1 Corinthians 10:31 says it best: “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

Even something as basic as eating can glorify God. So can lifting hands in worship. But it must be rooted in humility, shaped by love, and aimed at God’s glory not our own.

No Action Is Immune to Pride

There’s a sobering reality to this discussion there are no safe spaces from spiritual pride. Any act of faithfulness can become a performance if we’re not careful.

You can be proud of not raising your hands. You can be proud of praying silently. You can be proud of fasting without telling anyone. Pride doesn’t need noise or movement it only needs a motive.

This means we must constantly examine our hearts. As Psalm 139:23–24 pleads: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

Live Before the Father’s Eyes

Ultimately, the issue of raised hands or any act of worship comes down to this: Is God real to you?

In Matthew 6, Jesus points us to a heavenly Father who sees in secret and rewards in secret (Matthew 6:6). The question is not whether others see you it’s whether His presence satisfies you.

Do you long for His approval more than human admiration? Do you find joy in His delight? Do you believe that His “Well done” is worth more than a thousand likes or glances?

Let that be your motive in worship.

Whether your hands are raised or resting, whether your voice is loud or soft, worship that pleases God is always about Him not us.

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