“And when he went into his wife, she conceived and bare a son, and he called his name Beriah, because it went evil with his house” 1 Chronicles 7:23 (KJV).
One’s name could be prophetic declaration of one’s destiny. The reason is that words are powerful in the spirit realm. Sometimes parents transfer their pains and aggression to their baby at birth without knowing the far reaching effect or spiritual implications of such actions. Jabez was made to bear frustrations and sorrows of his mother for several years until he broke the yoke (1 Chronicles 4:10).
Evil or negative destiny, as well as good and positive destiny can be activated or released through names. Imagine parents naming a child Beriah with all its biblical connotations. Name could express the present pains and circumstances of parents or the future expectations of the parents for the child, the present predicament notwithstanding. It could be a prophetic declaration of good will and fortune for the child or a curse released as a result of present pains and frustrations. In giving names, people should be tomorrow thinkers, giving hope to the future by overlooking the present pains. While some name open door for the kingdom of darkness and give access to evil forces, other names create favour and blessings.
It should be noted however, that a good name does not always guarantee a good fortune. One’s life could be a contradiction of one’s name, negative or positive. That one is named Success does not automatically translate to success, neither does Richman translate to prosperity. Today, we have many robbers and criminals named Christian.
However, we can have good name and live up to it. Every name that does not represent you or your future well should be changed. While not trying to build a doctrine of changing names unnecessarily, I believe that a Christians should bear a name that promotes God and his kingdom as well as present the bearer of the name in a positive light. Do not accept a name that promotes satan and his kingdom.
PRAYER: Father, thank you for the name of Jesus and the new name you have reserved for me.
Rev. Vincent Diolu