The Word- Our Defense
"And take ---- the sword of the Spirit, which
is the word of God;" Eph 6:17
The Word of God is the only offensive weapon mentioned in the
list of armor. Since Paul used rhema instead of logos for "word"
in Ephesians 6:17, I believe Paul is referring to the spoken Word
of God. We are to defend ourselves against the evil one by
speaking aloud God's Word.
Why is it so important to speak God's Word in addition to
believing it and thinking it? Because satan is a created being,
and he doesn't perfectly know what you're thinking. By observing
you, he can pretty well tell what you are thinking, just as any
student of human behavior can. And it isn't difficult for him to
know what you're thinking if he put the thought in. But he
doesn't know what you're going to do before you do it. He can put
thoughts into your mind, and he will know whether you buy his lie
by how you behave.
satan can try to influence you by planting thoughts in your head,
but he can't read your thought s. If you're going to resist satan,
you must do so verbally so he can understand you and be put
on the run.
You can communicate with God in your mind and spirit because He
knows the thoughts and intents of your heart (Hebrews 4:12). Your
unspoken communion with God is your private sanctuary; Satan
cannot eavesdrop on you. But by the same token, if you only tell
Satan with your thoughts to leave, he won't leave because he is
under no obligation to obey your thoughts. You must defeat Satan
by speaking out. The good news is that most direct attacks occur
at night or when you are alone.
One night I woke up absolutely terrified for no apparent reason,
and I knew it was an attack from satan. Without lifting my head
from the pillow, I applied the two-step remedy suggested in James
4:7. In the sanctuary of my heart, I submitted to God. Then I was
able to resist satan with one spoken word--Jesus--and the fear
was instantly and totally gone. I went back to sleep in complete
peace. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
"And take ---- the sword of the Spirit, which
is the word of God;" Eph 6:17
The Word of God is the only offensive weapon mentioned in the
list of armor. Since Paul used rhema instead of logos for "word"
in Ephesians 6:17, I believe Paul is referring to the spoken Word
of God. We are to defend ourselves against the evil one by
speaking aloud God's Word.
Why is it so important to speak God's Word in addition to
believing it and thinking it? Because satan is a created being,
and he doesn't perfectly know what you're thinking. By observing
you, he can pretty well tell what you are thinking, just as any
student of human behavior can. And it isn't difficult for him to
know what you're thinking if he put the thought in. But he
doesn't know what you're going to do before you do it. He can put
thoughts into your mind, and he will know whether you buy his lie
by how you behave.
satan can try to influence you by planting thoughts in your head,
but he can't read your thought s. If you're going to resist satan,
you must do so verbally so he can understand you and be put
on the run.
You can communicate with God in your mind and spirit because He
knows the thoughts and intents of your heart (Hebrews 4:12). Your
unspoken communion with God is your private sanctuary; Satan
cannot eavesdrop on you. But by the same token, if you only tell
Satan with your thoughts to leave, he won't leave because he is
under no obligation to obey your thoughts. You must defeat Satan
by speaking out. The good news is that most direct attacks occur
at night or when you are alone.
One night I woke up absolutely terrified for no apparent reason,
and I knew it was an attack from satan. Without lifting my head
from the pillow, I applied the two-step remedy suggested in James
4:7. In the sanctuary of my heart, I submitted to God. Then I was
able to resist satan with one spoken word--Jesus--and the fear
was instantly and totally gone. I went back to sleep in complete
peace. Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
