Ephesians 6 tells us to put on the whole armour of God, so that we may fight and stand against the schemes of the enemy for as v12 tells us, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the world’s rulers, of the darkness of this age, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

In v14-17, we are told to stand, wearing:

the Belt of Truth

the Breastplate of Righteousness

our Shoes of the preparation of the Gospel of Peace

our Shield of Faith

our Helmet of Salvation, and

the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

I read recently that Sword of the Spirit, the “Word of God,” was the Rhēma Word of God, not the Logos Word of God.  But I know for sure that I was taught that the Sword of the Spirit was the written Word of God, and with that teaching was admonish to learn as much scripture as possible as it will be invaluable, indeed necessary, for fighting the enemy.

I decided therefore to check this new teaching out, and to learn more about the word, “word” in the Bible.  Researching the Greek usages found in the King James Bible, “word” occurs 207 times in 195 verses and there are 5 general meanings as follows:

“Apaggellō” – means to announce: – bring word (again), declare, report, show (again), tell.  It occurs 3 times: Matthew 2:8; Matthew 28:2 and Hebrews 12:27

“Epō”  – means to speak or say (by word or writing) – answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell.  It occurs 1 time in Matthew 2:13

“Logikos”  – means rational (“logical”): – reasonable, of the word.  It occurs 1 time in 1 Peter 2:2

“Rhēma”  – means an “utterance,” or spoken word, as in the “Rhēma Word” of the Lord, or the spoken word of the Lord.   It is used 23 times in the New Testament.  Click here  to download an editable attachment listing all the relevant verses.

“Logos”  – meaning the “written” Word of the Lord, as in the “Logos Word” of the Lord which is The Holy Bible.  It is the most common usage of the word and comprises all other uses in the New Testament.  It is used 179 times.

The difference between the Logos and the Rhēma word may be described in short as the “old” was of doing things and the “new” was of doing things for the Lord.

After reading all the verses and interpreting them with the correct Greek meaning, I found that only Ephesians 6:17 was a new understanding.

What is it that makes the Sword of the Spirit more effective with the Rhēma Word, rather than the Logos Word, as I was previously taught?

I believe the answer lies in Ephesians 6:19 where Paul says “And pray for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.”  (Emphasis added)

The enemy, Satan, knows the Bible very well and is well versed in misusing and misquoting it as in Matthew 4 when he tempts Jesus.  Through the Spirit of Religion he has been confusing people for thousands of years with the Old Testament and ever since the New Testament was written.  Indeed, he probably knows it better than most of us, and in that, has a definite advantage over those who do not know the Bible.  He is waiting for us to slip and in a trespass, so he may have a legitimate claim against us.  By standing with a Sword of the Spirit sharpened with the Rhēma word of the Lord, He gives us a great tactical advantage over the enemy and renders us strong and victorious and all the enemy weak.

For as soldiers in opposing armies may be equipped with the same weapons, the commander who can strategise better and use his weapons in better and in new ways, will win the day.  This is what the Rhēma word of the Lord allows us to do.  We can take the Logos word of the Lord, which the enemy knows and present it in new ways with revelations from the Lord, the “mystery of the Gospel.”  The secret new things of Jehovah are with those who fear Him and He will show them His covenant.  Thus the advantage will be on the side of the sword bearer who has the fresh words of the Lord.

As Smith Wigglesworth, a man called ”The Apostle of Faith” because of his absolute trust in God says, if we have the Holy Spirit in us, but we do not have the Word, we can avail little; if we have the Bible knowledge without the Holy Spirit in us, again avail little; however if we are filled with the Holy Spirit and have knowledge of the logos word of the Lord, we can be powerful forces for His Kingdom.  He says “it is the intention of God that a living word of knowledge will come forth from us through the power of the Spirit of God.  It is the Holy Spirit who will bring forth utterances from our lips and a divine revelation of all the mind of God.”

It all makes sense now.  I need to have a foundation of the Logos Word so that the Holy Spirit can draw it out and use it in a Rhēma fashion to conquer and vanquish the enemy at all times.