Helmet of
Salvation
“Put on salvation as your helmet...” – Ephesians 6:17a NLT
This week we continue our Full Armor of God series, learning about the Helmet of Salvation – its purpose and importance. This is the fifth piece of the spiritual armor that Apostle Paul instructs every Christian to wear. It’s a piece of armor that, just like the rest that we have previously studied, must never be taken for granted, never misunderstood, never neglected, and must be worn – at all times.
Purpose of the Helmet
The Roman soldier never went into battle without his helmet on. It was to protect him from having his head severely gashed or severed, resulting from the swing of the enemy’s sword. Back then, the most common and most effective hand-to-hand combat was accompanied by either the broadsword or dagger(s). When the enemy charged, they would do so either on foot or on horseback. As they would swing their swords, the main objective was to eliminate their opponent with one blow resulting in decapitation – stopping them in their tracks. Without the helmet, as the old adage would suggest, that soldier’s head would be like a sitting duck.
The human head is a very vital and most important part of the human anatomy; it’s irreplaceable. There are people who are amputees – due to health and medical complications resulting in the loss of one, two, or all limbs. There are those who were born into this world missing limbs. There are those who have received organ (heart, lung, kidney, liver, etc.) transplants, as well as limbs reattached (in some cases); after receiving a transplant or reattachment, many have lived a long and full life by the grace of God. However, the human head (or brain) cannot be transplanted or reattached (even though doctors and scientists continue to try.) Without the head attached or a functioning brain operating properly, life will cease to exist in the human body (of course the soul lives on).
The human head contains the brain – the most vital organ in regards to telling what the other body parts are supposed to do. It is likened unto a mainframe computer. It is the central command center that keeps the body functioning. Not only does it tell other organs and limbs how to behave, it is capable of learning new things every millisecond. The brain is where the mind resides; where memories are stored and where thoughts are continuously processed. It is said that a person is capable of processing 50,000 to 70,000 thoughts per day – consciously and subconsciously. This is where actions stem from. This is where emotional highs and lows flow from. This is where the personality resides. Without the human head attached or a functioning brain operating, the body will lie motionless; lifeless; and become nothing more than a corpse. A life support machine may keep a body functioning, but the brain is what keeps the person functioning.
What is Salvation?
We can have the assurance that we are saved when we accept Christ Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior. It is nothing that we can earn by our works, but it is given to us freely as a gift from God – because of His love, grace, and mercy (John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9). The moment we believe on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ; place our faith in His finished work on the Cross; believe He was raised on the third day; believe that He is alive and well and sitting on the right hand of God the Father – we receive salvation (Hebrews 10:19-23, Acts 4:12, Romans 10:9-13, Luke 22:69, Acts 2:33, Acts 7:55-56, Romans 8:34, Ephesians 1:20).
Salvation is ongoing by faith – meaning, we must continue to believe in Him; we should never doubt and turn away. Apostle Paul writes to the Philippians in Philippians 2:12 that they should work out their own soul salvation with fear and trembling. He stressed that not only should they do it while he was there, but it was most importantly to do so while he was gone. They should have a deep reverence for God and continued obedience to Him at all times. Those same instructions stand true for us today, as well. Continued faith in Christ and what He has done for us, will show by how we live and our obedience to His commandments (James 2:17).
Why the Helmet of Salvation Should Be Worn
From the moment a person receives salvation, Satan and his demonic army comes, swinging the sword of doubt and discouragement. As we have discussed in previous lessons, the mind is where he attacks. Even in the Garden of Eden, he convinced Eve to doubt what God had instructed Adam in regards to the forbidden fruit (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-6). Satan will try to oppress each of us with doubt in hopes we will quit believing and standing on the Promises of God. He wants us to quit looking for the blessed hope (Titus 2:13). He wants us to be convinced that God is a liar just as he convinced Eve. He wants us to rebel against God. Ultimately, he wants us to believe that God does not exist.
Faith, once planted, will continue to grow if it is cultivated and tended to. The same is true with doubt; if it is cultivated and tended to, it will continue to grow until unbelief has taken the place of belief. That is exactly what the enemy wants to happen. If he can ever get our focus off of Jesus and who we are in Him, then everything else is a piece of cake. As Christians, we must keep Jesus Christ head of our life at all times, our hearts and minds must meditate on the Word of God constantly – just like breathing, and we must live our lives in obedience to Christ and His commandments.
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14 KJV
Years ago, I played football when I was in high school. Each day we practiced we were either in full dress (with pads) or just our shorts and t-shirts. Regardless of what our attire was from the neck down, we always wore our helmets. The days that we just wore shorts and shirts, we never did much physical contact, but nevertheless, it was mandatory to wear our helmets. We were to never take them off. I must say, there were times that I am glad I never did. The football helmet is mandatory for every football player to help prevent concussions. Many have died from those injuries, but without the helmet on, many more deaths and injuries would occur. Even today, on my job, it is mandatory to wear hard hats to protect our heads from any unseen obstructions or from flying debris. In football or on the job site, a person may not always encounter situations that will put their head in danger, but in case they do, they will have their protective equipment on. It takes daily discipline. Damage to the head can be crucial and deadly; wearing the necessary protection at all times will help protect against the devastating and deadly blows when they come; they will most likely come when least expected. The same is true for our spiritual lives. The moment we take off our helmet of salvation, the enemy will try to deliver a devastating blow when we least expect it.
Conclusion
Keeping on the helmet of salvation will protect us from those deadly blows of doubt and discouragement. Keeping on the helmet of salvation is exercising our faith in Jesus Christ, Who is the Captain of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10). Keeping on the helmet of salvation will ensure that we will be overcomers in Christ Jesus. Christ said that for those who overcome, He would not blot out their names from the Book of Life and they will be able to sit with Him in His throne (Revelation 3:5, 21).
The helmet of salvation will continue to transform our minds, so we may consistently meditate on the Word of God instead of things of the world.
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." - Romans 12:2 KJV
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" - Philippians 2:5 KJV
So, my dear brothers and sisters, keep on your helmet of salvation so you may withstand the blows of discouragement and doubt. Keep on the helmet of salvation so you will continue to look for that blessed hope. Keep on your helmet of salvation so that you will remain sober and your meditations will be on the Word of God. Never take it off and leave yourself open to an attack like a sitting duck. Keep on the helmet of salvation so the same mind that was in Christ will also be in you.
Until next week, may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
"I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy Word." -Psalm 119:16 KJV
Next Week: The Full Armor of God: Sword of the Spirit - Part 7
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