This week, the TV series American Idol crowned a new winner/Idol. The show has grown in popularity over the past 22 years. When I was younger, the title itself bothered me. Aren’t God’s people supposed to turn from the idols of this fallen kingdom (Exodus 20:3-6; 34:14)?
It just goes to show that sin and idolatry aren’t a political or cultural problem, but a human problem, even for God’s people (Isaiah 53:6, Romans 3:23). Ironically, the top three finalists each are outspoken Christians and or performed songs of faith:
Unfortunately, God’s people have the same idols as this fallen world; we just name them blessings: fame, money, success, and greatness (1 Timothy 6:10, Hebrews 13:5). Too often, we let the gods of this world and Satan twist the words of God (Genesis 3:1-24). Satan’s game plan hasn’t changed since the garden, when he promised the world and led humanity away from God (Genesis 3:4-5)
We cannot look at or name the sins of others and justify our own sins. One of the things that bothered me this season of American Idol was when the judges heard a song they really liked or moved them emotionally, they asked the audience to say amen.
We cannot name an experience as church just because we are happy or emotional. Names have weight and importance for God’s people (Genesis 17:5, Revelation 2:17).
What Is a Name
Names are both secular and spiritual concepts. Name is defined as, “A word or phrase that constitutes a distinctive designation of a person or thing: reputation or fame.” That is why most people want to make a name for themselves that transcends their unique personal identity.
In modern times, we name people and things to help us identify them or set them apart from everything and everyone else. In ancient times and in other cultures today, names have a deeper meaning because they reflect the being in nature of the given name. Arabic and Asian cultures place a high emphasis on choosing names because names can reflect and influence character. This goes back to biblical times as well.
That is why the Bible has a lot to say about names and why they matter (Proverbs 22:1, Ecclesiastes 7:1, John 10:3, Acts 4:12). When we meet Jesus and love him with a whole heart and body, we are changed over time in our name and nature change (2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 2:8-10).
We cannot call ourselves Christians and not experience new life in Christ (John 3:9, Romans 6:4, Galatians 2:20). Our old nature names must die as we grow closer to God (Romans 6:6; 12:2, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9-10, Revelation 3:12). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about the importance of names and why they matter for God’s people.
Šēm
The Torah begins with God creating things and naming them (Genesis 1:1-28). Next, He created mankind and gave them the power and responsibility to name the animals, insects, and other people (Genesis 1:26-28, 2:19-20). So we see throughout Scripture that names matter to God and His purposes.
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for name is šēm, and it can also mean “Fame, reputation, report, or character,” depending upon the context it is used in. Naming and creating are indicative of God’s authority over creation.
Abram, a descendant of Noah’s son Shem, obeyed God and turned from the idols of his own father, and God renamed him Abraham, along with his wife Sarai, as part of His covenant.
The Old Testament deliberately explores Abraham’s descendants for 10 generations, including Moses, up through the lineage of the Jewish Messiah:
- Abraham
- Isaac
- Jacob
- Judah
- Perez/Hzron
- Ram
- Amminadab
- Salmon
- Boaz
- Obed
- Jesse
- King David
- King Solomon
The New Testament begins with a list of the names of Jesus’ ancestors (Matthew 1:1-17). The New Testament also emphasizes the power of Jesus’ name (Matthew 18:20, John 14:13-14, Romans 10:13, Philippians 2:9-11, James 5:14).
Our Lord reminded His followers of the command not to take God’s name in vain (Matthew 5: 33-37; 6:9). He called His Disciples by name and gave them new lives just like God the Father (Matthew 4:18-22, John 1:14; 10:3).
The Pharisees tried to claim they were descendants of Abraham also, but Jesus quickly rebuked them and called them descendants of their father the devil (Matthew 3:9, John 8:33-39). Yes, our Lord called the religious leaders snakes and liars (Matthew 23:27-33).
China Summit
In other big news this week, President Trump led a group of American businessmen and members of the Trump administration, like Marco Rubio, to China for a Summit with the Chinese President. The controversy began before the president and his friends even boarded Air Force One for the flight to China.
The president lashed out at reporters, calling them names who are questioning him about inflation in the state of the economy. The president was already facing backlash for calling an ABC reporter an expletive just last week.
We shouldn’t be surprised because the president is notorious for calling anyone he disagrees with names and mocking them. Jesus warned that we all will give an account for every careless word we have said in this life (Matthew 12:36-37)
God has already turned the tables on President Trump to humble him over his childish name-calling:
- Sleepy Joe
- Lyin’ Ted Cruz
- Pocahontas
- Crazy Kamal
- Little Marco Rubio
Perhaps the president’s Messiah complex or ego makes him believe he is a God and has a need to make up names or create nicknames, although he is more like Satan than God (2 Corinthians 4:4).
The truth is, we all, including myself, need to be more humble and careful with our words (Colossians 4:6). We are all broken sinners who need to be saved by God, not earthly idols (Romans 3:23). No political party or earthly ruler can save us. We all must put our faith and hope into Jesus’ šēm!
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