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Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore…And take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God… (Eph. 6:10-17)

Spiritual warfare is not a one-time thing. Earth is a war zone, and we are called to fight for God’s will be to be done here and now. In Ephesians 6:17, God adds another weapon to our arsenal: the Sword of the Spirit. Along with the Blood of Jesus, our Personal Stories, the ability to Discern Spirits, and Praise and Worship, the Sword of the Spirit is essential to the offensive weapons we have been given. We need to rise up and use the Sword of the Spirit every day to push back the forces of hell.

The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. In Greek, two words are used to describe “word of God.” The first is “logos,” and the second is “rhema.” Often the way logos is handled through the New Testament, it refers to the physical, printed, written, and recorded words God spoke to a man. The book we can hold in our hands—the Bible—is the word or logos of God. In it, we find the mind and will of God.

The second Greek word is “rhema.” It is often used to refer to the spoken word of God that comes to a man via His Spirit during private and public worship times, or through another person. Rhema is something spoken clearly and vividly into our spirits and communicated into our minds for us to meditate on. The rhema of God is often unmistakeable in terms and language. It is usually a verse or passage of scripture in the Bible (the logos) revealed by God as being for us today. The rhema and logos are supposed to go hand in hand. They were never meant to stay in our minds, however. The rhema of God is intended to be heard and then spoken out. This idea is fleshed out in Hebrews.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

When God calls the word of God a two-edged sword. The phrase “two-edged sword” can actually be translated as a “two-mouthed” sword. God’s rhema word (steaming the logos of God) forms one side of a spiritual sword and that word spoken out of our mouths forms the other side of the sword blade. The Sword of the Spirit’s power is activated when we talk about the word (rhema) of God out of our mouths.

God needs us to partner with Him by speaking and acting on His rhmea to us. Notice in Ephesians 6 God puts the Sword of the Spirit right before an invitation to pray. 

And take the helmet of salvation, and the Sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints… (6:17-18). 

Why? He desires us to pray His promises not the problems of our lives. He knows if we pray the issues we face, we will get limited results. But by praying the promises of God, we wield the sword of the Spirit. When His word comes out of our mouths, it activates God’s will in our lives. There is no higher power than God’s word.Â