The Sword of the Spirit
There are several Greek words that are translated to English as “word”, the most common being “logos” and “rhema”. The following not-so-clear definitions are from Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.
Notice that armor is defensive, it is for protection only, not for striking against the enemy. After listing
the all-important armor, Paul lists only one offensive weapon, the sword of the Spirit, which he spells
out for us as the word of God. Words may not seem like much of a weapon at first, but remember that
we are talking about GOD’s words. In Genesis we read over and over: “God said… …and it was so.”
That’s pretty powerful, all creation was SPOKEN into existence. Jesus told us that if we have faith, we can TELL a mountain to move and it will.
I believe that “the sword of the Spirit” in Ephesians 6:17 refers to more than the written Scriptures. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, it is a spiritual battle, and for us to be effective in battle we have to be attuned to God’s leading, so that when we speak, what comes out is the words that God would want us to speak, the words that He gives us to speak, the very words of God.
Learning the Bible, memorizing Scripture is necessary to put us on a firm foundation and to get familiar with God’s voice. God will never tell you anything that goes against His written word.
Knowing the written word is the place everyone needs to start, but to be really effective soldiers for Christ, it isn’t enough. That puts us in the correct army, but our usefulness would be limited. If we want to be the elite, the go-to special ops men, then we need our minds renewed until we are on the same page as God. We need to know His voice.
Jesus explained that the seed represents the word of God. In the last verse, notice that the goal is to produce a crop. A crop of what? Everybody knows that if you plant cotton, you don’t reap corn, so the crop produced would be the word of God. Those who hear the word, retain it, and persevere will speak the word of God, producing an increase of what was sown.
- logos log'-os; something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ)
- rhema hray'-mah; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute)
- Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word[rhema] of God.
Notice that armor is defensive, it is for protection only, not for striking against the enemy. After listing
the all-important armor, Paul lists only one offensive weapon, the sword of the Spirit, which he spells
out for us as the word of God. Words may not seem like much of a weapon at first, but remember that
we are talking about GOD’s words. In Genesis we read over and over: “God said… …and it was so.”
That’s pretty powerful, all creation was SPOKEN into existence. Jesus told us that if we have faith, we can TELL a mountain to move and it will.
- 2 Peter 3:5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word[logos] the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.
- Hebrews 4:12 For the word[logos] ofGod is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
I believe that “the sword of the Spirit” in Ephesians 6:17 refers to more than the written Scriptures. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, it is a spiritual battle, and for us to be effective in battle we have to be attuned to God’s leading, so that when we speak, what comes out is the words that God would want us to speak, the words that He gives us to speak, the very words of God.
- 1 Corinthians 2:12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words[logos] taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: 16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
- Colossians 3:16 Let the word[logos]of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
- Romans 10:16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word[rhema] of Christ.
Learning the Bible, memorizing Scripture is necessary to put us on a firm foundation and to get familiar with God’s voice. God will never tell you anything that goes against His written word.
- Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
- Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
- Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Knowing the written word is the place everyone needs to start, but to be really effective soldiers for Christ, it isn’t enough. That puts us in the correct army, but our usefulness would be limited. If we want to be the elite, the go-to special ops men, then we need our minds renewed until we are on the same page as God. We need to know His voice.
- Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- Luke 12:11 "When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."
- Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word[rhema] that comes from the mouth of God.'"
- John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words[rhema] remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
- John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
- 2 Peter 1:20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
- Luke 8:5 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6 Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." When he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear." 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, " 'though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.' 11 "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word[logos] of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word[logos] from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word[logos] with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word[logos], retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Jesus explained that the seed represents the word of God. In the last verse, notice that the goal is to produce a crop. A crop of what? Everybody knows that if you plant cotton, you don’t reap corn, so the crop produced would be the word of God. Those who hear the word, retain it, and persevere will speak the word of God, producing an increase of what was sown.
- Matthew 17: 5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!"