How Do We Put on the Armor of God's Helmet of Salvation Today?
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“Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17 NIV).
A local youth football league required players to wear shoulder pads, hip pads, tail bone pads, thigh guards, knee pads, mouth guards, and padded helmets, hoping to safeguard against physical injuries. The list seems extensive until you picture some of the hits and tackles from an opposing team. The Apostle Paul penned a list of equipment a soldier of God should never leave home without. Like the football uniform, pieces were designed for offense and defense. The difference is the playing field. The Christian engages in spiritual warfare on the battlefield of the mind. It’s the command center for our body. When a soldier suits up for battle, he dons the helmet as the last piece of apparel. Paul referred to the believers’ head protection as the helmet of salvation.
What is the Helmet of Salvation?
Merriam-Webster defines a helmet as a hard-shelled hat with inner padding to guard the head against internal damage. Our spiritual helmet is defensive wear for the mind against the enemy’s fiery darts and wily schemes. As believers of Jesus Christ, Christians understand that the gospel is God’s power for salvation. We are new creations in Christ. Old methods of actions and thoughts cease. The helmet is our assurance of salvation. It blesses us to flourish and serve as children of God and heirs to His promises. No longer are you and I enslaved to sin but retain an impenetrable armor against whatever the enemy hurls. In sundry times when the adversary assaults, pull those helmet straps tight and think on whatever things are pure, trustworthy, lovely, praiseworthy, and of good report.
Where Does the Helmet of Salvation Come From?
Paul lists the helmet of salvation and five other armor pieces in Ephesians 6:10-17 as a metaphor to help Christians recognize and fight against spiritual battles. Isaiah 59:17 also uses a helmet to describe salvation. Paul’s reference appears in his letter to the Gentiles at Ephesus.
Again, a soldier’s most vulnerable body part is his head. The Apostle envisioned the Roman soldiers of his day as he described how our spiritual attire should fit. The helmet covered his whole head, face, and between the eyes. Without a helmet, one blow could be fatal. Helmets have evolved greatly since the Roman period, but a helmet is still vital. Riding a motorcycle without a helmet often leads to injury or fatality.
The helmet of salvation is the most important armor for the Christian. All other armor is useless without the indwelling Holy Spirit that enters a believer the moment they receive salvation.
How Does the Helmet of Salvation Work?
Salvation is the hope for our soul which yields us the power to take every thought captive and keep our thoughts on Jesus. The helmet battles negative thoughts and reverts our focus on what the Savior said, not the lies of the enemy. We’re emboldened to imitate Him in action and speech. Jesus endured and persevered despite the constant assault on His identity, character, and doctrine. Endurance and crisis produce perseverance as storms rage and chaos calls. Perseverance builds character. Character breeds hope.
One morning I woke up, parched to hear from God, and fell to my knees. Words refused to pour forth. A heaviness caught me unaware. I’d worked until the wee hours of the morning and crawled in bed without a nightly Bible verse (Psalm 127:2). The consequence of foggy fatigue muted my thought process until I recollected the cure. When we mess up confess. The Lord answered my plea. Verse after verse of His promises welled within and gushed from my mouth. What incredible joy, a surge of energy that could only come from knowing the hope of my salvation. It reminds us of who we are and whose we are, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
That’s how the helmet works. Paul longed for the Ephesians and us to understand ‘with the hearing God calls for’ (He who has ears to hear) that Satan is an enemy of God and God’s people. The whole armor of God is the only way to win a war against him and our flesh.
He prowls to steal, kill, and destroy when we least expect and will use those ill-prepared to suspect. Each morning I spend time in Scripture. The Holy Spirit brought to remembrance scriptures from those precious moments. One of my favorite verses is Romans 8:1, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The helmet works as our protection and reflection. We recall the living word, the great cloud of witnesses, and all the Lord has brought us through. Fight to keep Your mind stayed on Him.
How Do We Wear the Helmet of Salvation?
The Apostle urged all the faithful in Jesus to put on the panoply (a complete set) of armor in Ephesians 6:11. “Put on” (Greek ingressive aorist imperative) signifies the thought of permanence. A Christian’s armor should be worn their whole life and once and for all. You don’t put it on and take it off every now and then. Putting on the spiritual attire enabled the soldier to stand secure in his preparation against the devil’s wiles. Paul’s illustration of a soldier draws vivid mental images of sundry men ladened with packs, ammo, and weaponry silently moving through dense jungle into position for battle. Satan disguises his schemes via the ideas of friends and family members to start disagreements and ignite chaos. Wicked schemes spread through the sinful world system by his demon hosts.
In his Bible commentary, Matthew Henry describes “wiles” as a Greek term for ideas of cleverness, crafty methods, cunning, and deception. It’s also all-inclusive, encompassing every sin, immoral practice, false teaching or religion, and worldly enticement. Greater is God in us than Satan in the world. With the helmet of salvation, believers can meditate on the One who can keep them from stumbling and present them before His glorious presence without fault and with immense joy.
What To Do After You Put On the Helmet of Salvation:
After the soldier snaps the helmet on securely, he might pick up the offensive piece of equipment referred to as the sword of the spirit. That’s the word, and it is a two-edged sword that teaches, exhorts, corrects, and offers peace. The unique characteristic of the sword is it’s not just for spiritual battles. You can pick it up to delight in the Lord, know His laws, or make a joyful noise.
Recently my pastor taught a short lesson on meditating. He challenged us to choose a verse or verses and chew on them. Read and reflect. Analyze each word in context. What is the passage saying about God? About people? How is Christ revealed? Is there a truth about God that you are to believe? Is there a promise to claim? A sin to confess? What Scripture can you study?
Jesus used the word each time Satan tried to tempt Him during the forty days in the desert. We don’t live by bread alone. We can’t live without God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—our blessed trinity. The Word of God is living and a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Be proactive. Remain armored at all times.
Further Reading:
How to Pray Through the Armor of God
How to Put on the Full Armor of God and Receive Strength
What Is the Sword of the Spirit in the Armor of God?
What Is the Shield of Faith in the Armor of God?
Photo Credit: Getty Images/serpeblu
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