Power of a name (Part-1)

What is a name?

• A word or set of words by which a person or thing is known, addressed, or referred to
• A name is a term used for identification by an external observer
• A name can be given to a person, place, or thing; for example, parents can give their child a name or a scientist can give an element a name.

In marriage, the wife takes up the surname of her husband, to denote a covenant relationship

Names carry significance and power, just look at the name of Jesus, God exalted the name of Jesus above all names. Scripture says at the name of Jesus ever knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. (Philippians 2:9-10).

Therefore names can limit us, names can hurt us. Names can also move us forward and connect us to our destiny.

In my generation I have noticed that people don’t seem to put much importance to names anymore. In the older days or previous generations, parents would give children carefully thought-out names that described their hope and expectation for the child. But now even among Christians some give their children unusual names.

When we do baby naming ceremony, you ask the parents what are the names of this child? What we are really asking is what do you want this child to become. What are your vision for this baby’s life?

George Herbert (3 April 1593 – 1 March 1633)[1] was an English poet, orator, and priest of the Church of England. This was the era where the Church of England were truly seeking God in spirit and truth, George Herbert knew the spiritual power behind naming and so he instructed his fellow ministers in 16^th Century England that at the baptism of a child they should not admit no ungodly or idol names!

A name has at least four functions

1. Identification purposes
2. It reveals something about the bearer
3. It ascribes something to the bearer
4. It portrays the state of the family back-ground

When a man’s negative experiences in life tally with the genesis of his name, then that name is a plague (curse). Job means “persecuted” or “hated”. Even though he was a righteous man, his name speaks volume of the calamities that befell him before God restored in double portions all that he lost in life. So, we have to take names seriously and examine our names through the lens of scripture

Gen 35: 17-18; After a very hard delivery, the midwife finally exclaimed, “Don’t be afraid—you have another son!” Rachel was about to die, but with her last breath she named the baby Ben-oni (which means “son of my sorrow”). The baby’s father, however, called him Benjamin (which means “son of my right hand”)

Jacob had to change the name of his last son from Ben-oni to Benjamin. If Jacob was not spiritually discerning and hence did not do that name change, then his last son would have experienced a life of untold sorrow!

Therefore, as a believer you need to examine your names, your family names, pet names even the nick name they call you. For names have spiritual power to influence your destiny even if you are believer

• Is your name associated with unpleasant or evil experiences? (for example names that have a “bad girl” vibe or association include Delilah, Scarlett, Lana, Lilith, Lola, Mabel, Raven, Ruby, and Sadie)
• Is your name linked to an idol or family deity? (Boy names related to Greek mythology such as Hector, Alexandar, Griffin)

The famous store in UK named Argos that sells a wide variety of products. Its name is related to Greek mythology. It refers to a watchful guardian. It is a creature with one-hundred eyes

• Is it linked to animals? (e.g., snake like Belinda, Lynda)
• Is it linked to witchcraft practices? (such as Cordelia, Aileen)
• Is your name meaningless? (some people give their sons names without any meaning; Daxton, Cory, Cassius, Sony)

If it does you may need a change of name. When a Christian bear a name that clearly suggest, evil or misfortune, its spiritually risky to retain that name.

One must also be careful when you have good forename but your surname suggest demonic affiliation because the surname can authorise demons backing that name to bring instability in the life of the bearer. You should consider changing your surname would be my advice, especially when you perceive by the Spirit of God impressing it in your heart, that your surname because of its demonic link is attracting misfortune or strange difficulties your way. But seek God’s guidance first on what to do and discuss with your Pastor if needed for spiritual guidance

God has interest in names too.

Gen 2:19; Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to [g]Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name.

Bible says GOD brought the animals to Adam to see what name he would call them. God watched with interest to see what names Adam would call them. Now Adam was working with supernatural wisdom given to him from God as he had not yet fallen into sin. He was at that time operating under the status of “the god of this earth” before he lost that status to the devil through sin.

Therefore, as “god of this earth” there was power in every name Adam gave the animals. And hence those names he gave those animals determined their traits. So, when he saw an animal that looked like a lion, he had supernatural wisdom and insight and named it “lion” not a “tortoise” because lions as their name imply are strong, brave and courageous while on the other hand tortoise by virtue of their names are slow, and when they encounter a problem, they go into their shell.

If he was naming the animals by flesh, he would have for example called an animal that should be a lion, tortoise, and a tortoise a lion and believe me, he would have killed the destiny of the lion because a lion is never meant to be a tortoise and a tortoise is never meant to be a lion! God watched with interest, without interfering in the names Adam gave the animals of the earth.

Jesus is interested in names

Jesus in John 1:42, changed Simon’s name to Peter which means “rock”. Simon means “God has heard”. A wonderful name on all accounts but Jesus still had to change it to a name that will usher Simon into his prophetic destiny in Christ. Peter (Rock) denotes the strong leadership skills and qualities that Jesus saw in him to help lead the early church after Jesus departure to heaven into greater exploits. From all accounts Peter indeed provided the church with solid physical and spiritual leadership. This may be one reason why Jesus had to change his name from Simon to Peter

The enemy is also interested in names

The enemy knows this, when the Babylonians (who symbolically represent the devil and his wicked activities in the spirit realm) took over Jerusalem (who symbolically represents the people he oppresses which unfortunately can include a believer), they were strategic in changing the names of the people in exile to cut off their identity. Daniel 1:6-7

Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were four of the young men chosen, all from the tribe of Judah. The chief of staff renamed them with these Babylonian names:

Daniel was called Belteshazzar.

Hananiah was called Shadrach.

Mishael was called Meshach.

Azariah was called Abednego.

Hananiah means “Yahweh is gracious. “Shadrach”, which means “may Bel protect his life.

Mishael means “who is what God is”.  “Meshach”, which means “command of Aku.

Azariah means “whom Yahweh helps.” “Abednego” which means “servant of Nebo.”

Daniel means God is my Judge. “Belteshazzar” means, 1 favoured by Bel, 2 Beltis protect the king! 3 Who lays up treasures in secret

However, while Nebuchadnezzar could change their names, He could not change their hearts.  Even while bearing the names of Babylonian gods, the boys’ trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob remained steadfast.  This is most clearly seen by the confidence Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego demonstrated when facing a fiery test that threatened their lives.

Furthermore, I honestly believe that because of their serious steadfastness and love for God and His ways even while they lived in Babylon, a place of sin (the New Testament uses Babylon more often as the symbolic place of sin, (Revelation 17 & 18), God arose and showed mercy and grace to them and did not allow their new idol-linked names affect the four Hebrew men.

The strategy of the enemy in changing the name of a man spiritually is to cut them off from the promises and victory that God has given them and to give them a name that will be a ladder for him to invade their lives and bring all forms of oppression.

God bless you

Altar call for the unbeliever: For anyone reading this who is not saved and wants to be part of the family of God, please repeat this out loud. Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I have sinned against you. Lord Jesus forgive me of my sins. I repent of my sins. Lord Jesus come into my life and be my Lord now and forever in Jesus Name

Prayer

Every hidden curse of backwardness behind my name, I am not your candidate be broken in the name of Jesus

O Lord change my name from Saul to Paul, from Jacob to Israel in Jesus Name

My name recieve divine power to mount up in life with wings as eagles in the name of Jesus

Feast of Light Gobal Ministry