Jesus is bringing a violent sword that separates. And when you announce your new name, you'll see a violent reaction among your loved ones. Your new name will be a dividing sword that separates. You won't find loved ones lukewarm about your name - they are either hot or cold. Either they receive you and your name or they reject you.
The new name is just a little thing, but it tears right at the heart of the spirit. All your life you've been hooked into the state through your name. Your parents started it all by paying the state tribute money and receiving a birth certificate. Your parents did not realize that in obtaining a birth certificate, they authorized the state to make their child of God, a child of the state. Through the birth certificate, the state had its first opportunity to make your rules and regulations and issue privileges and benefits.
With your announcement of a new name, given by revelation from God, you are rejecting that alliance your parents made between you and the state. You are starting a new life - apart from them. You are hooking in with Jesus and His kingdom - and that sword divides.
We desire to forsake the marks of the world - the name they gave us, their licenses, their life plan for us. What will our loved ones say about this? Do we not awaken in them the same choice that we must make? They too must choose - either to forsake the world and follow Christ or continue having friendship with the world and being God's enemy.25 If they contemplate this basic question very long, they will realize they must also lose their life and start anew. And just the thought of making such a revolutionary change tears at the very heart of their being.
25 - James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.