So now, whether you are currently in a time of peace or perhaps enduring conflict as a believer before whom Satan continues to place obstacles, this post will go over why it’s so important we continue to believe in the Truth of God’s Word. In other words, we’ll explain the meaning behind Jesus as the Word  (Greek “Logos“) or Reasoning of God.

Jn 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word (Gk. Logos), and the Word (Logos) was with God, and the Word (Logos) was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

Jn 1:14 And the Word (Logos) was made 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.

Basically, it’s the Truth of God’s Word that overcomes Satan’s attacks against believers (Jn 17:17). This is because Jesus, also being the Word of God, has “authority” over the devil. This translates to His “Word” having “Divine Power” that can pull down the “strong holds” Satan attempts to place within our minds to mislead and deceive us (2 Cor 10:3-5). This misleading and deceiving results in “Offence” (to bring about more Offence) which we’ve recently covered in Skin For Skin: Attacked With Offence.

This absolute Divine power belongs to Jesus Christ, the Word or “Logos.” Therefore, knowing the Word of God is imperative to accessing the full knowledge of the power Jesus has given us to knock down the strong holds Satan works to place in us. Knowing God’s Word is why we’ve been commanded to hold fast to the Word of God given to us by the Lord (Isa 8:20; Lk 9:22-25; Jn 14:10-21; Jn 14:23-24; Jn 17:17; 1 Cor 3:11-15; Gal 1:8-9; 2 Tim 4:2-4; Heb 2:1-4; 1 Jn 1:1-3).

Let’s begin with 2 Cor 10:3-5 and break its meaning down from the Greek (Gk).

2 Cor 10:4-5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal. The Gk word used for “weapons” here is “hoplon” and describes “instruments (or offensive tools)” we use to fight Satan.

G3696. hoplon, hop’-lon; probably from a primitive hepo (to be busy about); an implement or utensil or tool (literal or figurative, especially offensive for war):–armour, instrument, weapon.

The Gk word for “warfare” is “strateia” and speaks of a lifelong commitment of “military service” similar to the one the “apostles” endured in their “careers.” This service is sometimes one of hardship or danger (2 Cor 11:23-30; Eph 6:11-12; Eph 6:13-15).

G4752. strateia, strat-i’-ah; from G4754; military service, i.e. (figurative) the apostolic career (as one of hardship and danger):–warfare.

The “tools” or “weapons” for this “military service” to God are NOT “carnal” (Gk. sarkikos). That is, they do not “pertain” or result from anything one might be able to do in the “flesh” (or physical state).

G4559. sarkikos, sar-kee-kos’; from G4561; pertaining to flesh, i.e. (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate:- carnal, fleshly.

Thus, these “weapons” are not of our “flesh,” but are of the ”spirit.”

mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Again, the weapons are not mighty through our “flesh” (abilities), but are “Mighty through God.”

The Gk word for “strong hold” is “ochuroma“ and points to a “fortified argument” Satan places within our minds that goes against the Truth of God’s Word (Gk. Logos; Jn 1:1-5,14; Jn 17:17; Eph 2:2-3).

For example, even though Peter knew the Truth about Jesus as the Messiah, when the maid looked steadfastly at him as he sat by the fire, something likened to a “strong hold” took over his mind.

Lk 22:56-57 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked (Gk. atenizo) upon him, and said, This man was also with Him. 57 And he denied Him, saying, Woman, I know Him not.

G816. atenizo, at-en-id’-zo; from a compound of G1 (as a particle of union) and teino (to stretch); to gaze intently:–behold earnestly (steadfastly), fasten (eyes), look (earnestly, steadfastly, up steadfastly), set eyes.

The Gk word for “strong hold” is “ochuroma” and represents ”arguments” that have become “fortified” like ”castles” and need to be torn down.

G3794. ochuroma, okh-oo’-ro-mah; from a remote derivative of G2192 (meaning to fortify, through the idea of holding safely); a castle (figurative argument):–stronghold.

In the Apostle Paul’s day, castles were owned by the wealthy, built with strong stone walls, housing smaller buildings within it, with many servants to guard and keep it.

Thus, these “strong holds” are strong areas of disbelief within our minds which Satan will resist from being taken down. He’ll resist and utilize the forces available to him to keep his “castle” of influence and resistance firm and in place.

2 Cor 10:4-5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations (logismos), and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Casting down imaginations. We cast these “strong holds” or ”imaginations” down by God’s Mighty Word. The Gk word for “casting” is “kathaireo” and means to “lower something violently” until it’s been “demolished.”

In other words, the “strong hold” needs to be knocked off its foundation and dismantled.

G2507. kathaireo, kath-ahee-reh’-o; from G2596 and G138 (including its alternate); to lower (or with violence) demolish (literal or figurative):–cast (pull, put, take) down, destroy.

Then we come to “imaginations” and its Gk word which is “logismos.”

This kind of “imagination” has to do with possible imaginations about what’s true and what isn’t. It represents a kind of ”computation process” (of estimating and putting things together) where one’s “reasoning” within their own conscience might try to exalt itself against the knowledge of God which comes to us through His Word.

G3053. logismos, log-is-mos’; from G3049; computation, i.e. (figurative) reasoning (conscience, conceit):–imagination, thought.

Notice “logismos” comes from G3049 (logizomai) – that’s where we get the “estimating” or “taking inventory” aspect of “logismos.”

G3049. logizomai, log-id’-zom-ahee; middle voice from G3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literal or figurative):–conclude, (ac-) count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).

And we get the ”computation” and “reasoning” aspect of  ”logismos,” because ”logizomai“ comes from G3056 (which is Gk. logos).

Note, this is the same Gk “logos” used when describing Jesus as the Word of God.   

G3056. logos, log’-os; from G3004; something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (i.e. Christ):–account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say (-ing), show, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.

Now, “logos” is a NOUN, so one must first clearly understand it is NOT the verb or action of speaking. It is the NOUN (which more appropriately might address the subject of a thing).

Essentially, “logos” is “something said (though it could just be the thought of it). That is, it’s the computation of reasoning that constitutes a whole discourse on a subject or topic. In the end, it is what gives us the motive for why we say, do or believe certain things.

More specifically, when “Logos“ is used in terms of Jesus Christ, it represents the Divine Expression or Reasoning of God towards anything it’s about.

For example, in Mat 12:32, ”logos” is used in reference to someone “saying” a “word” against the Son of man.”

Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh (Gk. epo) a word (logos) against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

The Gk word “epo” is the “saying” of the “word” (logos; reasoning) against Jesus.

G2036. epo, ep’-o; a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from G2046, G4483 and G5346); to speak or say (by word or writing):–answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare G3004. (“…generally refers to an individual expression or speech respectively,’ from G3004 description of G2036).

In other words, in  Mat 12:32, those who talk (verb) about their reasoning (noun) against the Son of man will be forgiven, but those who do this about the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 

Thus, whenever Jesus Christ expresses His “Logos” (reasoning or computation), then what we’re really getting is the Divine Expression of Christ’s all-encompassing Knowledge and Truth about the topic at hand (Jn 17:17). It’s as if Jesus said, “Here is My Word. This is My computation and reasoning about the way I look and deal with all these things” (Jn 1:1-5,14; Jn 17:17; 1 Cor 2:16). And because Jesus is Lord God, nothing can resist His Word.

Lk 6:47-49 Whosoever cometh to Me, and heareth My sayings (Logos), and doeth them, I will show you to whom he is like: 48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. 49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

So, the “imaginations” (logismos) described in 2 Cor 10:3-5 are corrupt reasoning’s that exalt themselves above the true knowledge of God which we have through God’s Word or “Logos.”

2 Cor 10:5 Casting down imaginations (logismos), and every high thing exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Here’s just a few examples where these corrupt ”imaginations” or “reasoning’s” (logismos) have tried to exalt themselves against the truth (or knowledge) of Christ in scripture:

Lk 9:46-48 Then there arose a reasoning (logismos), among them, which of them should be greatest. 47 And Jesus, perceiving the thought (logismos), of their heart, took a child, and set him by Him, 48 And said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this child in My name receiveth Me: and whosoever shall receive Me receiveth him that sent Me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

Lk 2:34-35 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary His mother, Behold, this Child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; 35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts (logismos) of many hearts may be revealed.

Lk 5:22-24 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts (logismos), He answering said unto them, What reason (logismos) ye in your hearts? 23 Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? 24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (He said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

Now, let’s go back 2 Cor 10:3-5 to finish this up.

2 Cor 10:4-5 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;). 5 Casting down imaginations (logismos), and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God. The Gk word for “high thing” is “hupsoma” and points to whatever might try to “elevate” itself or create a barrier” against the “knowledge” of God.

G5313. hupsoma, hoop’-so-mah; from G5312; an elevated place or thing, i.e. (abstract) altitude, or (by implication) a barrier (figurative):–height, high thing.

The “knowledge” of God is Gk “gnosis” which points to “knowing” something.

G1108. gnosis, gno’-sis; from G1097; knowing (the act), i.e. (by implication) knowledge:–knowledge, science.

and bringing into captivity every thought. The Gk word for “captivity” is “aichmalotizo“ which denotes making something “a prisoner of war.”

G163. aichmalotizo, aheekh-mal-o-tid’-zo; from G164: to make captive:–lead away captive, bring into captivity.

G164. aichmalotos, aheekh-mal-o-tos’; from aichme (a spear) and a derivative of the same as G259; properly a prisoner of war, i.e. (genitive case) a captive:–captive.

The Gk word for “thought” is “noema” which means “perception, purpose, intellect, and disposition.”

G3540. noema, no’-ay-mah; from G3539; a perception, i.e. purpose, or (by implication) the intellect, disposition, itself:–device, mind, thought.

Thus, we are to take these “imaginations,” cast them down, mark them as prisoners and keep them locked away so they can’t attack us anymore.

to the obedience of Christ. The Gk word for “obedience is “hupakoe” and speaks of “submission and compliance” to Christ. “Obedience,” here, points to a continued effort of “attentive hearkening” (listening and responding) to Jesus Christ as Lord.

G5218. hupakoe, hoop-ak-o-ay’; from G5219; attentive hearkening, i.e. (by implication) compliance or submission:–obedience, (make) obedient, obey (-ing).

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Eph 6:10-12).

Beloved, there is tremendous Power in God’s Word (Logos). If you are experiencing a time of darkness, infuse yourself with the Light of God’s Word which shines into the darkness. Find yourself a scripture which speaks the truth about God’s ability to handle the situation you are facing and drown out whatever you are hearing in your mind with the truth of spoken word scripture.

Although nothing ever replaces the Bible, there are many helps, like the Bible Promise Book (ISBN 0-916441-43-1), which is a great tool that can help in times of need.

Now, never ever let anyone take away your divine right to access the power and defense of God by knowing His Word (Logos) for yourself.   

May God bless you and enable you to believe His Word is all Truth and faithfully apply it to your lives.

Peace out!

Loris Anne James