In the spiritual realm a name is not a label or a tool to distinguish one person from another; a person’s name is viewed as equivalent to the person himself. A person’s name signified their person, worth, character, reputation, authority, will, and ownership. Which names are you responding to?
In the spiritual realm a name is not a label or a tool to distinguish one person from another; a person’s name is viewed as equivalent to the person himself. Speaking and writing in “the name” signified authority (Exodus 5:23; I Kings 21:8); naming something indicated one’s ownership of that person/thing (Genesis 1:5, 8, 10; 2:19-20; II Samuel 12:28; Amos 9:12); to forget God’s name is the same as to departing from Him (Jeremiah 23:37); acting in someone’s name is to represent them (Deuteronomy 25:6); to blot out someone’s name is to destroy that person (Deuteronomy 9:14; II Kings 14:27; Isaiah 14:22; Revelation 3:5); one’s name signified their reputation (Mark 6:14; Revelation 3:1), and their character (Ecclesiastes 7:1; Matthew 6:9). Christ is said to have manifested the Father’s name, meaning that He has made His person known to humanity (John 17:26). To believe in the name of Christ is to believe in the person of Christ (John 1:12; 2:23). To be gathered in Jesus’ name is to be gathered together in His mind, will, and purpose (Matthew 18:20). person’s name signified their person, worth, character, reputation, authority, will, and ownership. Which names are you responding to?
With this basis let us examine some passages in which the significance of a “name” brings to light spiritual meaning that is often overlooked. In Acts 4:7 the Sanhedrin asked Peter and John concerning the healing of the lame man, “By what power, or by what name, have you done this?” The response was that it was done in the name of Jesus Christ (v.10). The apostles did not mean that when they said, “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk,” (3:6), that the phrase itself had any inherent power. It was not a magical formula. It was FAITH in JESUS’ person that healed the man (Acts 3:16).
That the name of Jesus is not a mystical formula is evidenced by the seven sons of Sceva. These men were attempting to cast out devils in Jesus’ name, but the people in whom the devils resided jumped on the men and beat them and one of the devils said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?” (Acts 19:13-16). Although they attempted to cast out devils in the right name, because they were not believers in Christ, and thus did not represent His person, they were in effect attempting to cast out the devils in their own authority and were unsuccessful. The devils recognized this and would not submit. There is no magic in saying, “in Jesus’ name.” Humans have no power to cast out devils. When we cast them out “_in Jesus’ name” we are declaring to be standing in Jesus’ place, casting them out in His personal authority, not our own. Paul cast out devils in Jesus’ name and they obeyed, not because of what Paul said, but because of who he represented (Acts 16:18).
Moving forward, have you noticed how some people in the Bible had their names changed? Often the biblical text will explain why their names changed. Here’s a couple of examples, with emphasis added to show the reason for the new name: God knew how important this is and that is why He chose to give people new names in their life of faith. His choices were not random but loaded with meaning and significance. Think about these men and women in the Bible:
1. Abraham – Formerly named Abram, God changed his name and called him Abraham as a sign of His promise to him. From being named “exalted father,” God made him the “father of many nations” (see Genesis 17:5).
2. Sarah – Abraham’s wife, Sarah, had a name change as well. From Sarai, which in Hebrew means “argumentative” and Biblically meant “princess,” God named her Sarah which meant “happy” and Biblically implied the “mother of nations” (see Genesis 17:15-16). Sarah, beautiful as she was, remained barren and childless. When God said she’d have a child, she argued within herself and did not believe it (see Genesis 18:9-14). Still, God was faithful and allowed her to bear a son, Isaac.
3. Jacob – Jacob is probably the most famous among those who had their names changed by God. The change in his name signaled a complete turnaround for him, a perfect change in his identity. God changed Jacob – which meant “supplanter” or “deceiver” – and named him Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed. His name was to remind him of his covenant with God.
Be careful with names, we must remember that a name goes beyond identifying a person. It becomes a label that will be associated with and even define a person and his/her destiny.
Do you even know the history behind your name? Do you know the meaning of your name? If you don’t please do, because it may help you understand and hence break a lot of negative patterns…
