Sometimes we have to teach a little to clear up unbiblical extremes and we‘ll discover that God gives gifts to men. God gives the gift of the spoken word. Rhema (ῥῆμα in Greek) literally means an “utterance” or “thing said”. Logos is the word of God in its context, but a Rhema is spoken word by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit as the word of God comes alive in our spirit. A Rhema is always subservient to the canon of scripture. When we know Gods word, we have the discernment to know if things spoken are from God.
“Rhema is often misused when people turn a personal impression or feeling into a supposed direct word from God. Not every thought is a rhema from God; Scripture remains the standard by which every claim must be tested.”
It does not automatically mean “a personal word from God.” The scripture gives us clear examples Rhema in its own context.
Matthew 4:4 — Jesus says, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word (rhema) that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Here, rhema refers to what God speaks.
Luke 1:38 — Mary says, “Let it be to me according to your word (rhema).” She is responding to the message spoken to her by the angel knowing that what he spoke was from God.
Luke 2:29 — Simeon says, “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word (rhema).”
Cross Commission Ministries 