“I want us to reflect on how those pesky labels confront us at every turn. No matter how prepared or prayed up we are, the enemy is like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us (1 Peter 5:8) with labels that lie. The labels we fight don’t always come from our past; sometimes they prevent us from becoming who God wants us to become.”- Esther Fleece Allen
“When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, ‘Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name.”- Luke 10:17 (NLT)
In Chapter 11 (“We Know His Name”), the final chapter of Your New Name, Esther Fleece Allen observes that Satan often shouts the name ‘Failure’ at us. Satan shouts that name to oppose God’s desire that we walk forward in victory.
Therefore, we must remember that carrying God’s name bestows spiritual benefits. As God’s children, knowing His names provides the key to overcoming. Because we shift our attention from our false labels to our greater God. Thus, Esther explains what happens when we live out of labels that lie:
“When eve live out of labels, our instinct is to turn to them in times of trouble. We look inward, and that’s when the downward spiral begins. In ancient times, the psalmist wrote, ‘Some boast in chariots and horses, but we will boast in the name of the Lord, our God (Psalm 20:7, NASB). . . . While we may no longer boast in chariots and horses, we do boast in our careers, our health, our knowledge, and our earthly blessings. God would much prefer that we know His name.”
Finally, Esther underscores, God’s name ‘I AM’ encompasses everything. For God’s everything we need Him to be. Certainly, He’s more than you can imagine. As a result, when life gets distracting, it helps to switch our attention to God’s names. Confidence in ourselves, those around us, and our circumstances constantly changes. However, our unchanging God provides everything we need.
Today’s question: What Bible verses help us with pesky labels that confront us at every turn? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Entry points for God – our limitations”
