Notes of Faith May 19, 2025
Sword of the Spirit
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17
In the New Testament, there are two primary Greek words behind the English word for “word”: logos and rhema. While both can be translated “word,” there are underlying differences in the two. In general terms, think of logos as a book or concept and rhema as a sentence or saying. Biblically, think of logos as the Bible and rhema as a saying or verse within the Bible.
When the apostle Paul referred to “the word of God” as “the sword of the Spirit,” he used the word rhema for “word of God.” He seems to be saying that we should take up a portion, a verse, or a promise in Scripture when defending ourselves in spiritual warfare. That’s what Jesus did when He defended Himself against the temptations of Satan in the wilderness. Three times He quoted verses from Deuteronomy to refute Satan’s carnal attempts (Matthew 4:1-11).
Just as Jesus quoted the Old Testament from memory in the wilderness, so must we commit Scripture to memory so it is always at hand when Satan attacks. Satan has no defense against the power of the truth of God. Take a few moments today to begin memorizing Ephesians 6:17.
The Bible is a rock of diamonds, a chain of pearls, the sword of the Spirit.
Thomas Watson
Matt 4:1-11
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." 4 But He answered and said, "It is written, 'MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.'"
5 Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,
'HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU';
and
'ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP,
SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.'"
7 Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"
8 Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; 9 and he said to Him, "All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me." 10 Then Jesus said to him, "Go, Satan! For it is written, 'YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.'" 11 Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.
You can memorize and use the power of the Word of God just as Jesus did. Even Satan uses the Word of God to deceive and twist truth to tempt those who listen to him to do his will instead of God’s will. You who belong to Jesus already have the Word within you through God, the Holy Spirit who lives in you. Being in the Word of God daily will give you strength and power that Satan cannot endure and he will flee from you. May you be blessed today as you seek relationship with God through the Word He has given you!
Pastor Dale