Refuse Negative Label

”And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him; what is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed” – Genesis 32: 24-28

Almighty and everlasting God we thank you for another privilege to be counted among those who are still breathing. Thank You so much God our maker for not allowing the enemy of our destinies to triumph over us. Thank You so much because Your plans for our lives are good plans to give us an expected end and a future. As we want to learn at your feet please teach us and beauty our lives in the end in Jesus name. Amen.

Our topic this day is a peculiar one because I believe hardly will you see an individual who is not carrying some kind of label around. This label could be positive or negative. But before we proceed, I will like us to define some terms – Refuse, Negative and Label.

What does it mean to refuse? To refuse simply mean to say ‘NO’. God has given us the ability to choose. He gave us the ability to either accept or reject an offer. It is your conviction that will tell whether you are to say yes or no.

Negative on the other hand mean something damaging. To discredit especially without positive or helpful suggestion.

While a label is an identifying or descriptive marker that is attached to an object.

Therefore to refuse negative label simply means the ability to refuse or reject labels that is not yours. It is the ability to refuse to be okay with what you know is contrary to your life. It is the ability to refuse to stay where you do not belong. It is the ability to refuse to answer to names that does not befit the name God has called you.

For many reasons people might have decided to nickname you by a name that is not yours simply because of the circumstances that surrounds you. You may not be even aware of the names they are calling you behind your back but God knows. In fact some bold mockers could have called you names you hate so much upfront simply because they want you to accept such names but I dare to tell you this day that you have every right to reject negativity.

Jacob was a supplanter, a deceiver. He had tried to overpower his brother Esau right from the womb. This Jacob grew up and eventually took the blessing of his elder brother Esau through deceit. This name supplanter has affected his life negatively even almost to the point of destruction because he had to run away from his twin brother to a far town. But one day, he came to his senses and he wrestled with God in prayer and his name was changed from Jacob to Israel. He cried and God changed his name. He refused the negative label he was carrying about from childhood.

Just like Jacob, you too can refuse the negative labels you’ve been carrying about from childhood – the negative label of evil pronouncements, or mistakes of your past. You cannot continue to leave in your past. Shake off the dust of negativity and embrace the positive life that Jesus died to give you.

I don’t know the name that people are calling you but I know the God who can change your name and give you the name that befits your glory. Call to him this day and He will surely help you.

I love you so much dear reader but God loves you more.