Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17 NIV)
This week I want to examine the last part of verse seventeen which talks about the the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
MercyDrops.org, has an excellent lesson on "the sword of the Spirit." Below is one paragraph from their lesson.
In the analogy of the armor, the sword is our only offensive weapon. The "Word" is translated from the Greek word rhema, which means a particular word, saying, or series of words joined in a sentence. The sword is not referring to the Greek word Logos which means Christ as found in John 1:1, but a specific group of words from Scripture. Jesus modeled how to use the word as your sword when He was tempted by Satan. In each of the described temptations found in Matthew 4, Jesus responded to Satan with specific words (rhema) from Scripture.
Here is some additional information on the distinction between the Greek words logos and rhema from Porn-Free.org.
Logos - the word of God (see Strong's #3056): Logos is often used to identify the written scriptures in the Bible, which were given to people under the inspiration of God (Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 1:10-11). Collectively, the Bible, as God's "word," is the written, divine expression or revelation of God to humanity. Jesus completed this expression as the literal embodiment of God's word, logos (John 1:1-5,14).
Rhema - the word of God (Strong's #4487): Rhema is the spoken word of God. Strong's concordance says that rhema is "that which is or has been uttered by the living voice." Rhema carries a spiritual connotation that differentiates it from logos. It also bears application to the specific context of our lives. For example, we may be wrestling with an issue in our life and during our quiet time we read a verse that "speaks" directly to the situation we are dealing with. That portion of the scripture becomes a "Rhema word" from God for us regarding our situation. We can then stand in faith on the Rhema God has given us and confess it whenever the devil tries to attack us.
Another way of using the Rhema is to apply specific scriptures (logos) to the situations we are facing. This is perhaps the most common of way of diffusing temptations. While we may not have a special or emergent Rhema revelation from God regarding a temptation, we will likely have plenty of scriptures that we can speak that apply.
So the sword of the Spirit is the "rhema of God." Let's examine the passage from Matthew 4 to see how Jesus defeated the temptation of Satan.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'" Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. "All this I will give you," he said, "if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'" Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. (Matthew 4:1-11 NIV)
After the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus when he was baptized by John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Jesus fasted for forty days and forty nights, and then he became hungry. Then Satan began to tempt Jesus. He appealed to the desires that John described as the love of this world. (See I John 2:15-17)
First, Satan questioned if Jesus is the Son of God. He urged Jesus to turn the stones into bread. But, Jesus responded with the sword of the spirit. Jesus said, "Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word (rhema) that comes from the mouth of God."
Secondly, Satan tempted Jesus to show off his divine power by jumping from the top of the temple. Satan quoted Psalm 91. Yes, Satan can quote the Word of God. But, Jesus responded with the appropriate use of the sword of the Spirit, or the rhema of God. Jesus said, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
In the third temptation, Satan took Jesus to the top of a mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of this world and their splendor, and Satan said that he would give it all to Jesus, if he would bow down and worship him. Once again, Jesus responded with the sword of the Spirit, or with a rhema from God. Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
Jesus used the sword of the Spirit to defeat Satan, and he expects the church to use the same sword of the Spirit to defeat Satan in this generation. What worked for Jesus 2,000 years ago will work for the church today.
How can the church today be prepared with the the sword of the Spirit, or the rhema of God?
The sword of the Spirit is available to you today, along with all of the armor of God. Let's purpose to walk in the victory that Jesus provided for the church through the cross and his mighty resurrection.
- Give much attention to the Word of God, or the logos of God. As a believer meditates on the written Word of God, over time the Holy Spirit will quicken that Word or make it alive to the believer. The Logos will become a rhema. In Joshua 1:8 and in Psalm 1:2, meditation on the Word of God is expected to be a day and night activity. Don't expect great victories over Satan when you only pick up your Bible on Sunday mornings for church. Meditate on that Word day and night.
- Be devoted to prayer. Jesus fasted and prayed for an extended period before his time of temptation.
- Stay full of the Holy Spirit. Remember the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus before he entered the time of temptation. Paul exhorts the church to be filled with the Spirit. (See Ephesians 5:18)
- Commit your life to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Allow your life to be led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our helper. He will prepare us for the temptations of this life
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org
Wisdom From the Word
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