Introduction: The War of Names

In every generation, there are visible wars — wars of weapons and armies. But there is also a quieter war: a war of words and names. A war over who gets to say who you really are.

Today, doctors diagnose, psychiatrists label, societies categorize — and cultures often worship these judgments. But hear me: Man can name outwardly, but only God defines inwardly. Human labels are temporary. God's naming is eternal.

"The Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

I. Jabez: Labeled by Pain, Released by Prayer

"His mother called his name Jabez, saying, 'Because I bore him in pain.'" (1 Chronicles 4:9)

Imagine your very name meaning "pain." Every introduction a reminder of sorrow. But Jabez refused to live under someone else's broken perspective. He cried out to God — and God redefined his future.

"Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory..."
"And God granted him what he requested." (1 Chronicles 4:10)

Man named him by pain. God blessed him by destiny.

II. The Cultural Problem: When Psychiatry Becomes a False Priesthood

Across different societies:

• Psychiatry can be useful — describing outward symptoms, offering temporary helps.
• But when it crosses into declaring identities and predicting destinies, it steps onto holy ground it does not own.

When psychiatry binds people to permanent labels without hope of redemption, it rebels against God’s power to transform lives.

"The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Corinthians 1:25)

Science observes. God defines.

III. God Judges By Heart, Not Just Behavior

Human judgment is shallow because man sees only the surface. But God sees both action and intention.

"Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)

Examples:

• David sinned, but God called him "a man after My heart." (Acts 13:22)
• The thief on the cross had a lifetime of crime, but Jesus said, "Today you will be with Me in paradise." (Luke 23:43)

Thus: no psychiatrist, no labeler, no human system can righteously judge a soul’s destiny.

IV. You Are Not Your Diagnosis

A diagnosis may describe what you are experiencing — but it must never define who you are.

"You are fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14)

"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." (2 Corinthians 5:17)

V. The Authority to Bind and Loose Words

Jesus gave His Church real spiritual authority:

"Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." (Matthew 18:18)

Bind every false label.
Loose every true promise over yourself.

Example:

• When man says, "You are broken," — bind it. Declare, "I am whole in Christ."
• When man says, "You will never change," — bind it. Declare, "He is completing the good work He began in me."
• When man says, "You will always suffer," — bind it. Declare, "Whom the Son sets free is free indeed."

VI. Your True Name is Eternal

"To the one who conquers... I will give a white stone, with a new name written on it that no one knows except the one who receives it." (Revelation 2:17)

Man can name you for a season. God names you forever. His name over you cannot be revoked, reduced, or erased.

Final Call: Break Every False Agreement

Today, break every false identity:

• Refuse the labels of men.
• Refuse the diagnoses that declare you finished.
• Accept the truth of God's Word.

You are loved. You are redeemed. You are named by Heaven.

Closing Prayer:

Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, I break every false label, every false name, every false identity spoken over me. I bind every judgment that rises against me. I loose Your Word and Your promises over my life. Write Your name upon my heart. Let my life speak of Your victory, not man's defeat. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.