Question: Do the words that we use like naming something, have an effect on them. For example, I have heard that if you give a child a name you are speaking that over them every time you call their name. Also in the Bible names often got changed.
In the last two Faith Fixes we saw that God’s wisdom has a lot to say about the significance of words especially regarding our relationships with others and the power of words to make both positive and negative impacts. This week let’s look at the significance of names.
I likewise have heard the claims that when you name someone and call them that name you somehow manifest that in their lives. There’s a level of superstition with that that I cannot say scripture backs up. Keeping this in mind, it is true that God changed names in scripture and that somehow names seemed to bear some significance. Upon study, it seems to me this significance is more symbolic than it is about tangible manifestation.
Look at Genesis 17:5 (NIV): “No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.” This name change reflected Abraham’s role as the father of many nations. Skip down to Genesis 17:15 (NIV): “God also said to Abraham, ‘As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah.’” This signified her role as the mother of nations. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel in Genesis 32:28 (NIV), “Then the man said, ‘Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.’” It was symbolic of his wrestling with God. Another example of this is in John 1:42 (NIV): “And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas’ (which, when translated, is Peter).” This name was more fitting of a foundational position in the church Jesus was building. These name changes symbolized purpose God had for each of these individual. It wasn’t a matter of calling them a new name to manifest a new destiny.
Despite this, I do believe there’s something that happens through symbolism. Consider the symbolism of a wedding ring. It’s a reminder of a covenant you’ve entered into and it somehow speaks to your heart and reminds you of this covenant as you see it on your finger. The American flag somehow reminds us of freedom. I know that whenever I have been away and return to the United States seeing the flag puts a little pep in my step. Friends of ours from other nations have expressed they don’t feel this like we do. There’s something that symbolism does to our minds.
I’ve also seen some extremely disheartening name calling. I have a childhood friend who calls her children the heathens. Somehow sadly they have lived up to the title. Studies have shown that the names we use for people can significantly affect their behavior and their self-perception because they influence how individuals view themselves and their potential. I’ve seen studies where teachers are given a group of new students and told that a handful are their genius students but all along they were actually the ones with the lowest IQ. Somehow those students were the ones who ended up scoring the highest. This wasn’t because they were told they were geniuses or called by the name genius to their face but it impacted the way the teachers respected them, expected from them, etc. Titles can and do affect behavior. Similar studies demonstrate the reverse of this as well. When people are labeled trouble makers, slow-learners, etc. they somehow act in line with that. You see it’s not that the name changes things in a supernatural way, but that when we are told something over and over again we come to believe it. Romans 10:17 (NIV), “…faith comes from hearing the message…” The truth I’m demonstrating here is that the more you hear, the more you trust that it’s true.
This is true for names and words in general. I love this prayer from Psalms 19:14, “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Our hearts should be to always represent God well and to never put a stumbling block in the way for others to find God.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Renée
