The Word of God is the only offensive weapon in the armor of God. Paul uses rhema instead of logos for “word” in Ephesians 6:17 because he wants to emphasize the spoken word of God. There is only one Word of God, but the Greek word rhema brings in the idea of proclamation. For instance, Paul says in Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word (Rhema) of Christ.” It is appropriate to use rhema in this context because the emphasis is on preaching the good news and hearing it.

Our defense against direct attacks by the evil on is to speak aloud God’s truth. Why is it so important to speak God’s Word, in addition to believing it and thinking it? Because satan is not omniscient, and he doesn’t perfectly know what you’re thinking, just as any student of human behavior can. But he doesn’t know what you’re going to do before you do it. If you pay attention to a deceiving spirit (I Timothy 4:1), he is putting thoughts into your mind, and he will know whether you buy his lie by how you behave. It is not hard for him to tell what you are thinking if he has given you the thought.

Similarly, satan can try to influence you by planting thoughts in your mind, but he can’t perfectly read your thoughts. You are ascribing too much power to satan if you think he can perfectly read your mind and know the future. Every occult practice claims to know the mind (or influence it) or predict the future. But only God knows the thoughts and intents of your mind, and only He knows the future. You should never ascribe the divine attributes of God to satan.

You can communicate silently with God in your mind and spirit because He knows the thoughts and intents of your heart (Hebrews 4:12). You have unspoken communion with your heavenly Father. However, should you come under a direct attack from satan, for instance in your room at night, out loud, since the evil one does not have the power to completely know your thoughts. The good news is that most direct attacks occur at night and when you are alone, so verbally resisting satan won’t be a matter of public spectacle.

Paul says, “With the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation” (Romans 10:10). Since you know your own thoughts and God also knows them, then why does verbal confession result in salvation? Paul could be saying that saving faith is not complete until the will is exercised, but he could also be implying the need for the god of this world to hear our commitment.

Find out more about these things that make up the Armor of God by clicking on each one.

1. The Belt of Truth
2. The Breastplate of Righteousness
3. The Shoes of Peace
4. The Shield of Faith
5. The Helmet of Salvation
6. The Sword of the Spirit
7. The Armor of God. How Do I Put It ON??? Do I Have God’s armor already?

References:

King James Version of The Bible

Anderson, Neil. The Bondage Breaker.Eugene:Harvest House, 2000. Print