Musing – Are our battles in the Flesh or in the Spiritual realm?

 Hebraic Musing – Are our battles in the Flesh or in the Spiritual realm?

We battle against our daily worldly challenges by prayer, doing right things, fasting, etc.   Meanwhile, Satan is using Spiritual warfare!  If our battle is in the Spirit realm, then how do we fight Satan Spiritually?  Who are we wrestling with?  “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.” Ephesians 6:12 NKJV  Who is our enemy?  And we find that each denomination and/or church seems to stress and focus on either Logos or on Rhema.  The definitions and differences can be summarized as follows:

Logos: Refers to the written Word of God, which is recorded in the Bible, providing objective knowledge and foundational truths.  With Logos, God tells us who He is and what He desires.

Rhema: Represents personalized messages from God allowing us to know Him on a personal level.  Rhema represents God speaking to us on a personal level so we experience Him in relation to our individual situations and needs.  He still speaks directly to us today.  “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” 1 Corinthians 14:2

The cornerstone of our faith is based on Logos; while Rhema addresses our individual situational needs and circumstances.  Both terms are used in biblical studies to describe different aspects of God's Word; Logos being the authoritative revelation and Rhema being the revealed or personalized spoken word.

Do we realize that Satan is after us and if he can’t get us in the worldly realm, he will use the spiritual realm?    How do we recognize the spirit realm?  Knowledge of God is not just intellectual; it’s also a spiritual revelation.  Speaking in the Spirit requires ignoring our intellect and that requires humility.  (Many find that praying in the Spirit offends their mind, because it ignores their own intellect.)  So, Scripture reminds us to “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:10   God humbled Paul and he shared his prayer life.  “I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all”. 1 Corinthians 14:18

Satan does not want our spiritual lives to release power and that is what Proverbs 25:2 is trying to say?  “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of king s is to search out a matter.”  Might speaking in Tongues release those mysteries?

What might happen if we minister in the Spirit realm?   “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” John 16:13    And it’s been said that there are three things we should seek when praying in the Spirit:
  1 Receive Spiritual revelation about God.  (Listen to God reveal revelations, or dreams.)
  2 Listen for God to talk to you about You.  (That’s the still, small voice.)
  3 Hearing the needs of others.  (These could be for future encounters He is preparing you for.)

Praying in the Spirit charges your battery.  This is necessary because even after being “born again” we are still in the world, trapped in cycles of depression, fear, addiction, shame and marital and family issues.  We are still trying to experience Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God; … I will be exalted in the earth!”   The problem is that our real needs might be more spiritual than psychological or physical.  “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,” Jude 1:20   And remember what Paul thanked God for the role of “Speaking in Tongues” in his prayer life!

What did Jesus mean by this? “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38   And “living water” symbolizes God’s Truths!  Or solutions to mysteries?

We enjoy a familiar song.  ♫ Praise with the Spirit, And with understanding. Oh magnify the Lord. ♫   This is based on 1 Corinthians 14:14 - “For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful.”  And verse 4 in that chapter said - “He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”  Praying with the spirit refers to a Spiritual connection with God, often expressed through praying in tongues; a valuable for personal edification as mentioned before.  “For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” 1 Cor.14:2

And what was Jesus’ final promise to us? “for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:5 

Points to Ponder
Some Charismatics claim to be “Speaking in Tongues”, but…
is “Speaking in Tongues” necessarily the same as “Speaking in the Spirit”?

How can we “Humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord”?

Should we listen more to what God has to say, instead of always speaking to Him?

What’s the best way to stop a barrage of negative thoughts?

Why is praying in tongues so controversial, not universally accepted?

♫  Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me. Break me, melt me, mold me, fill me.
            Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me.  ♫  

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                           June 17, 2025            
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

BTW - Did you know that Smith Wigglesworth and his ministry relied on speaking in tongues?