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"Take the helmet of salvation..." (Eph. 6:17a NIV)
Back in the day when these verses about our spiritual armor were penned, the helmet was a vital piece of equipment for the roman soldiers. They wouldn’t go out without their helmets, for one knock on the head from an enemy sword or other weapon would mean their end.
Helmets serve equally important functions in our day. It is crazy for a motorbiker to ride without a helmet, and with what we know about the brain and how easily it can be injured, helmets are standard equipment for biking, skateboarding, horseback riding, even skiing, etc. Like the Romans, we know that one knock to the head by…well anything…and it would potentially mean the end of life as we know it.
Looking at it from a slightly different angle, with the Coronavirus pandemic, a standard piece of equipment is the mask. It may not protect the brain, but it provides protection to vital parts of the head as well. A doctor or frontline worker wouldn’t think of treating COVID-19 patients without masks, and sometimes even shields.
Doesn’t it stand to reason, then, that we must also protect our spiritual heads?
Let’s think for a moment about how many times we go out and do thoughtless things each day. We hurt people with our words and actions, often without even meaning to. (Isn’t’ this why David cries out to God in Ps. 19:12: "But who can discern their own errors. Forgive my hidden faults." NIV).
To put it a different way, how often don’t we find ourselves falling into the traps of insecurity and poor self-esteem? We hear the devil calling out to us that we aren’t worthy, we’re not pretty enough, we can’t do it, someone else is thinner/stronger/better…And we so often fall into temptation of other types as well!
Let’s remember that temptation begins in the mind: "…but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." (James 1:14-15 NIV). This "dragging" away by our "own evil desires", this enticement, this all happens in the mind, which is in our heads! Why are we so susceptible to temptation? Why are we so apt to fall into the traps of insecurity? Because we are not protecting our heads against the evils of the enemy!
What is this spiritual helmet that we are told to put on?
"Take the helmet of Salvation..." (Eph. 6:17a NIV)
Salvation. We are saved by the grace of God through the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. His blood covers ALL of our sins: "and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross." (Col 1:20 NIV); and "How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" (Heb. 9:14 NIV).
The problem is, many Christians doubt their salvation. They feel they have to DO something, even though the Apostle Paul is clear: "it is by grace you have been saved. in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph 2:8-9 NIV)
When we doubt our salvation, we are in essence, choosing to NOT wear the "helmet of Salvation" that God has given us to protect our minds.
If you doubt your salvation, I would suggest that you spend some time meditating on these verses. If you have given yourself completely to Jesus and have accepted His gift of the cross, then you are saved! Put doubt aside! Rise up in trust! For when you do, you are protecting your mind against the evils of the devil!
If you have never truly given yourself over to God, then that helmet of Salvation is not yet available to you. Why not answer the Saviour’s call today? You can do so in one of two simple ways: You can view our Salvation video, or you can visit the Saviour’s Call by clicking here.
Put on that helmet of salvation. Trust in the blood of Jesus for your redemption from sin, for when you do, you are protecting your mind against temptation.
Join us on Friday for the last part of the "God’s Armament" devotional series as we learn about the last piece of God’s armor: The Sword of the Spirit.
Rob Chaffart
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