If you have been a Christian for some time, you probably have heard of these two words. You might say,” What’s the big deal?” I knew what these words were, but lately I have revisited their meaning. To say it’s not important is to undermine their value and the implication they have when reading and studying the Bible. The Holy Spirit inspired men of old to make the distinction between these two Greek words.
The Logos is the Greek word for the inspired written Word of God from Genesis to Revelation. It contains the thoughts of God, his acts, desires, principles, will, and purposes. It reveals what He loves and what He hates. It is the objective truth, the Word of God. Logos occurs in the N.T. over 300 times. Logos was in the beginning, Logos is God, and was with God. The Logos was Christ. John 1:1-2 (NKJV)-1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.2 He was in the beginning with God. John 1:14 (NKJV)-14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. The Holy Spirit used another word, the Greek Word Rhema. It means the spoken word. We see this in the gospel of Matthew. Matthew 4:4 (NKJV)-4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ “ The word here is the Greek word Rhema. If we didn’t have the Logos, there wouldn’t be a Rhema Word from God. This word occurs over seventy times in the New Testament. When we talk about Rhema, we are talking about a specific Word from God by the Holy Spirit. It is a Word that is quickened to us. It may be a scripture that we have in our hearts. It can be a picture, a vision, a word of knowledge, or a word of wisdom. This is more subjective, but it is always in line with the Logos of God! The Holy Spirit is the Rhema of Logos.
We all want God to speak to us personally. But how does that happen? Does God speak only to a particular class of Christians? No! God wants to have a personal relationship with every one of us, and a great part of that relationship depends on His speaking to us. It’s vitally important for us to realize that God uses the Logos to speak Rhema to us. The more we read the written Word of God, the Logos, by storing it up within us, praying, meditating, and memorizing it, the more God can speak His Rhema word to us. Especially in specific situations, such as in healing, provision, protection, encouragement, wisdom, and direction for our lives. This is what the Prophet Samuel experienced when he was a young boy:1 Samuel 3:9-10 (NKJV) 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down; and it shall be, if He calls you, that you must say, ‘Speak, LORD, for Your servant hears.’ ” So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel answered, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” Samuel didn’t recognize the voice of God previously. The same can be true of us. We don’t always recognize when God is speaking to us. We are so distracted at times. There can be too much noise and voices competing for our attention. The voice of the world, social media, the flesh, and the devil, along with his cohorts.
We read in our verse Matt. 4:4, that man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God. The Rhema Word is to be our spiritual daily bread. We can’t live without food, and we certainly can’t live without the Logos and the Rhema of God’s Word. This is so true if we want to be healthy spiritually. The Rhema is what we call a revealed word, a quickened word, a revelation that comes by the Holy Spirit to remind us, teach us, and guide us specifically, and to help us overcome in life! It is a direct Word from God by the Holy Spirit who abides in us. An example is found in the book of Acts. Acts 16:6-10 (NKJV)-6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Apostle Paul knew He was called to be a missionary, to preach and teach the gospel. That was his orders from the Lord. That was objective ( Acts 9:15). Here, we see a specific word, calling, and direction given by the Holy Spirit in a vision. This was more subjective. From this revelation, Paul obeyed. We have to believe in faith that God is always speaking to us and wants to give us direction. The challenge at times is quieting ourselves to listen to God. ( Psalm 46:10). The discipline of being still, praying, and meditating on the promises of God is so needed today in our busy lives. Let’s say what Samuel said, “Speak, for Your servant hears.” Some Bible teachers teach that the voice of God within you sounds a lot like you. Your conscience is the voice of your human spirit. Your conscience is a safe guide because you are Born Again and God’s Spirit dwells within you( Rom. 9:1). God can speak in an audible voice, but mostly in a still small voice within (1 Kings 19:12). He predominantly speaks through the scriptures, the Logos, and in a still small voice, a Rhema.
In Ephesians, Apostle Paul talks about the armor of God. One of the weapons he talks about is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Here, the word means Rhema, the spoken Word. Another example is in Romans 10:17. Romans 10:17 (NKJV)-17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. The word in this verse is also Rhema. It is more than reading the Logos or scriptures that faith comes. Faith comes by hearing and hearing a specific word that is quickened to your heart. The Holy Spirit takes the Logos and quickens it to your heart, and it becomes a Rhema word. It becomes a sword in your mouth! It is a two-edged sword. One edge is when God speaks to you, and the other edge is when you speak the Word that God, the Holy Spirit, has given you. This sword does great damage to the enemy. This is how Jesus handled the devil’s temptation in the wilderness and defeated him at every time (Matt. 4:1-11). Thank God for the sword of the Spirit.
In closing, as you meditate and study the Logos of God’s word, you are planting a seed in your heart. That seed can bring forth a Rhema word in a specific situation, in order to release your faith in word or deed( Col 3:17, James 2:26). An example is found in Acts 14:7-10. Apostle Apaul released his faith in a command with words. The cripple man responded by obeying the word, a Rhema word, and was instantly healed! You release your faith by speaking or by obeying what the Holy Spirit tells you to do. A Rhema Word! We see this when Peter asked Jesus who came to them walking on the water. Peter responded and said, “Lord, if that’s you? Command me to come.” Jesus replied,” Come!” Peter obeyed and got out of the boat, walking on the water. Jesus, the Logos, gave a specific command, a Rhema word to Peter. This was supernatural and defied all reason. It was a miracle. Peter walked on the Rhema Word! How important it is to receive a Rhema word to us today! Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV)-21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. Jesus speaking of the Holy Spirit in John 16 said this: John 16:14 (NKJV)-14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. I believe this is saying that Jesus will take the Logos and declare Rhema to you( John 16:13). Luke 12:11-12 (NKJV)–11 Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say.12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.” This has to be a Rhema Word! A specific word that is needed in any given situation by the Holy Spirit. This is why it’s so important to be in the Word of God. To be in the Logos to receive a Rhema Word. Ask the Holy Spirit for a Rhema Word that you might need in a specific situation. It all comes down to our daily fellowship with God( 1 Cor. 1:9). He is still speaking today! Are we ready to listen? “Speak, for Your servant hears.”
In Christ’s love.
Brent and Linda Bushen
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