A Name Is To Be Desired

What’s in a name? Everything!

Proverbs 22:1 says,

A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, Favor is better than silver and gold.

Ecclesiastes 7:1a says

A good name is better than fine perfume…

I recently thought of the saying “_____, it’s my middle name.” You know the saying people say, “You’re dangerous!” And the reply, “Danger is my middle name.” You can put in whatever thing or name you want in there.

So I looked up my middle name to see what it means and this came up: free man. But a couple of sites had their little spiel about what they believe the name means. This is what they said,

People with this name have a deep inner desire to use their abilities in leadership, and to have personal independence. They would rather focus on large, important issues, and delegate the details.

People with this name are excellent at analyzing, understanding, and learning. They tend to be mystics, philosophers, scholars, and teachers. Because they live so much in the mind, they tend to be quiet and introspective, and are usually introverts. When presented with issues, they will see the larger picture. Their solitary thoughtfulness and analysis of people and world events may make them seem aloof, and sometimes even melancholy.

The latter paragraph is me to a T…or whatever the saying is. Names means a lot. Some people are named by their parents while others are named by Facebook polls. Some ask God what to name their children. Then there are times where God changes the name given to them by their parents. But why would He change their name?

Abram to Abraham

Sarai to Sarah

Jacob to Israel

Naomi wants it to change to Mara

Simon to Peter

Some had different names for the culture they were in,

Joseph to Zaphenath-Paneah

Daniel to Belteshazzar

Hananiah to Shadrach

Mishael to Meshach

Azariah to Abednego

Hadassah to Esther

Saul to Paul

Back then, names meant something. These days we name people for coolness factor, not that there is anything wrong with that, but I believe names carry something in the spirit. A name has authority. A name has power. God changes names because He wants them to carry something they didn’t know they could carry before. No one knew they would carry it so God had to change their name. They needed something to carry it. They needed a name that others could look at and realize God’s fingerprint.

Look at Jabez. His name meant sorrow. But I believe God totally redeemed that name and that person. His prayer (see 1 Chron. 4:10) is one of the most popular prayer today. There are whole books on it. Sometimes a name carries a stereotype. “Oh look at Mr. Smith. I know another Smith in town who is related. Got to watch out for those Smiths.” Sometimes you are called to break the pattern of a name.

We can also be called names. Bad names. A popular rhyme we say is, “Sticks and stone may break my phone but words will never hurt me.” Wrong! I’ve been called names and it wasn’t a pleasant experience. Names carry something. Isaiah 65:15 says something interesting

You will leave your name for a curse to My chosen ones, And the Lord GOD will slay you. But My servants will be called by another name.

Isaiah 48:9 says

For the sake of My name I delay My wrath, And for My praise I restrain it for you, In order not to cut you off.

Name is Hebrew is shem which means name, reputation, fame, glory, memorial, and monument. Greek for name is onoma which means everything which the name covers, everything the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing, remembering, the name, i.e. for one’s rank, authority, interests, pleasure, command, excellencies, deeds etc.

We use our name to make covenants with people. We use our name to sign things and agree to terms. Our future is determined by the fact that our name is written in a book (see Luke 10:20). In our western thought, names are but something on a birth certificate. But in the Hebrew mindset names are everything. It denotes calling or past. It indicates situations or outcomes.

What does  your name mean? How have you used your name? How have others used it? What names have you been called? How has a name labeled you? How has a name defiled you? How has a name influenced you? How has a name confused you or others around you? When have you been called by the wrong name? When has your name been confused with another name?

I’m pondering, as I’m typing, about the possibility of blessings and curses attached the names we have been given. Is there a blessing that comes with a name? Is there a curse or defilement? Obviously when someone labels us or calls us a bad name then, yes, there is defilement. That can be broken off easily by simply saying this

I reject all names I have been labeled with and called by. I do not receive them, nor the spirits attached. I call those name null and void and command all labels and names to fall to the ground and turn to dust. I pray for the anointing of the Holy Spirit to be smeared all over me and that all things spoken over me, not of God, would bead off and have no affect. I receive blessings and God’s labels and names over my life in Jesus’ name!

I want a good name in my life. I want my name to be an inheritance, to leave an inheritance. I want God to guard my name. I want my name to point to His Name! I want my name influenced and possessed by His Name. I want my name cleansed of all defilement and ungodly labels. I want His Name to rule over my name. I desire a good name. I want a name better than the choicest of perfumes. I want a name that cherishes other names and calls those names into blessings. I want His name for me. And I can’t wait for that stone with my new name (see Rev. 2:17 , Isaiah 62:2). I embrace my name.

Do you embrace His name over you? Do you know His name over you? Ask Him and He will give it in His timing. I waited and got it. He said my name means and is Possessor, and that is what I will do. I will possess all He has for me by saying “Yes!” to Him. He will work on me when I say “no” because He is faithful. I choose the good report and that the land is for the taking. As the river Jordan was held back to Adam (see Joshua 3:16) so I pray all things holding us back will be held back to Adam…the first Adam.