In the Name of Jesus

There is power in the name of Jesus. Believers pray in the name of Jesus. Demons tremble at that name, and Philippians 2:10 tells us, “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. . .” That name has power and authority in it. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are given the privilege and responsibility of walking and praying in the authority found in His name. We know from the Bible that wonderful results are to be expected, but do we see them? If not, why?

Let’s consider the other ways we might also be using the name of our Lord, beyond praying or telling someone about Him. How many times do we say, “Oh, my Lord,” or “Jesus,” as an exclamation and nothing more? What about, “Oh, my God,” or, “Lord, have mercy,” being spoken in conversations frequently enough that we don’t even hear ourselves say it anymore? Do we ever use our Lord, or His name, in a joke or sarcastic comment, which is contrary to His true nature? You see, when we use the name of the Lord our God in any of these ways, we are not honoring and respecting the One Whose name we use. In fact, we are using the name of the Lord in vain in every one of these instances.

Exodus 20:7 “You shall not use or repeat the name of the Lord your God in vain [that is, lightly or frivolously, in false affirmations or profanely]; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” AMP

When we use God’s name lightly, frivolously, or flippantly, we not only fail to reverence His name, we also fail to reverence the authority and character contained in that name. Then, when it is time to pray or speak in the authority of the name of Jesus, using His name doesn’t carry the weight for us that it should. Think about the sons of Sceva in Acts 19, who tried to use the name of Jesus because they had seen Paul use His name with great results. They were utterly defeated because they misused His name for their own purposes. That’s what we do when we use His name improperly – we misuse His name for our own purposes – and that’s why we don’t see the results we expect when we attempt to use His name appropriately.

To borrow from another minister, a simple rule of thumb to avoid misusing our Lord’s name is to ask if we are talking to Him or about Him. If the answer is no, we don’t need to use His name at all. If we think about our ultimate example, Jesus Christ, He never used the name of God unless He spoke to or about Him. Christians in the book of Acts did likewise, and the results of their ministry were tremendous, with signs and wonders following the gospel everywhere it was preached. They reverenced the name of the Lord and, therefore, walked in the fullness of the authority of the name of Jesus.

Do you want to see the Lord move mightily in response to your prayers? Do you want to speak the Word of God into situations and consistently see them changed accordingly? Make the decision today to stop all vanity in using the name of the Lord. Decide to hold His name as precious and valuable, with reverence and honor, regardless of what others do. You will find an ever-increasing measure of His authority at work in and through you as you pray and declare the plans and purposes of God on this earth as it is in heaven; all because you have made the decision to revere and honor the holy name of the Lord at all times.

Powerful praying in the name of Jesus, my brothers and sisters!

© Copyright 2008 Kay V. Stocking