Put on salvation as your helmet. Ephesians 6:17a
The fifth piece of God’s armor that the apostle Paul counsels the church of Ephesus to equip themselves with is the helmet of salvation. This is quite interesting since the church of Ephesus was already saved. So, what did Paul mean when he said to put on the helmet of salvation?
Journey with me as I reflect back on a day that changed my life forever. I want to share with you just a few snapshots of this life-giving and life-altering day in hopes of shedding light as to why we must put on our helmet of salvation.
Way back when, when I was twenty-five years old my husband and I, along with our children began attending a small local church. After a few months of going, we decided to join. Me, not being familiar with church protocol didn’t know that when I went up to join that I would be offered salvation in Jesus Christ and to be baptized. Up until this time, I hadn’t asked Jesus into my heart nor been baptized but one thing I knew for sure; God was drawing me. His lovingkindness, glimpses of His touch in my heart, the unfolding of the truths in His Word, His gripping hand of grace on my life that would not let me go, were unquestionable. God's handprints on my heart were very evident to me in such real, powerful, and personal ways; which is why I decided along with my husband to join the church and begin to take steps to "get my life together."
As I aforementioned I wasn’t familiar with church protocol. My husband was raised in the church, me, not so much. Being a fresh newbie at all this, I thought going up to the altar to join the church was just that. Joining the church to become a member. Giving my life to Christ and being baptized was not my intention that particular day. Most definitely in the near future, but I needed to "get my life together" first. Right?
So I made my way down to the altar, excited about becoming a member of the church. Then to my surprise the pastor asked me had I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I said, “No.” He then went on to offer me salvation in Jesus Christ and I said, "Yes."The pastor went on to pray for me, and then it went something like this; The pastor shouted, “Praise the Lord, Sister Bryant has received the Lord Jesus as her Lord and Savior!" The congregation exploded with praise! The pastor went on to ask me," How old are you Sister Bryant?” I nervously said, “Twenty-five.” He then hollered, “Better late than never!” "Praise the Lord!" “Sister Bryant will be baptized next month on the first Sunday! "Hallelujah!" "Give God praise!”
Here I am standing at the altar, sweating profusely, and I’m pretty sure looking like a deer in headlights thinking, “I didn’t sign up for this, and I’m twenty-five and if twenty-five is late;" "Whew", "I’m glad I made it in time!"
Over the next few weeks leading up to my baptism, I prepared my heart and reasoned in my mind that that day would be a new beginning for me, and the following first Sunday in February I was baptized.
I used to say, “I went down bound in the water and came up bound out of the water.” I said that because at the time I was still deep in my addiction to alcohol and nothing really changed in how I lived my life afterward. I didn’t know and understand that the same Jesus that I trusted for my salvation, was and is the same Jesus, that I could trust to empower me to break free.
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ by, by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5
See, all I knew going in was that I wanted to live a life that pleased God. After I accepted Jesus I believed I was saved but walking out my salvation, well let's just say, it would be a process.
Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12b-13
Salvation happens in a moment but walking it out happens over a lifetime. It's a process of sanctification, a lifetime of walking with God, dying to the flesh, taking off the old man, putting on the new, endeavoring to live a life that pleases God, empowered by His Spirit.
Not that we have already attained or are perfected but we press on that we may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of us. (Philippians 3:12)
It's an ongoing daily yielded walk, a shattering of self-will and submitting to God's will. A stripping of self-reliance and relying wholly upon God. A progressive conformation to His image, pressing towards perfection and being a reflection of Christ which requires cultivating His mind.
The enemy aims missiles at our minds to hinder and infiltrate this process of conformation to the image of Christ. Hence is why it is of critical importance to put on our helmet of salvation.
"For we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
The enemy didn’t waste any time attacking my mind. Soon after my baptism and my resolve to “get my life together” the enemy flooded my mind with missiles of condemnation, guilt, hopelessness, and shame. I would try, mostly in my own strength to stop doing things that I knew were not pleasing in God’s sight, and when I would fail, I’d fall into deep condemnation. Feelings of extreme guilt that would usher in feelings of hopelessness, believing the lies of the enemy, that God didn’t love me. That there was no hope for me. "Give up why don't you.""Are you really even saved?"
Every failure drug me deeper into the pit of depression and increased my thirst for the venom in the bottle. This cycle went on for years until I was brought to a place of true brokenness and honesty before God and really received His love, forgiveness, and grace. God in His great goodness even graced me to forgive myself. Now that was a major win.
Before this, my helmet of salvation was off to the side somewhere. It surely was not on my head. As sure as a motorcycle rider needs a helmet to protect their head from traumatic brain injury or death, it is vital that we put on our helmet of salvation to protect our minds from the missiles of the enemy that if hit will cause extreme trauma or even a fatal blow.
For the Roman soldier’s the helmet served the same purpose. To protect the soldiers from blows to the head. A blow to the head could be fatal because the brain is the control center for the body, if hit in the head it would render all other pieces of armor ineffective. In like manner, in spiritual warfare, the enemy aims arrows of doubt, fear, condemnation, deception, false imaginations, and accusations in our minds. He knows if he gets the mind, the control center of how we think, shape our beliefs, attitudes, actions, and response, all the other pieces of armor will be unavailing.
It’s so important to note that the Roman soldier’s helmet not only covered their heads but it also covered and protected their ears. It’s crucial to discern the voice we listen to because this is where the enemy sneaks in and initiates all forms of wickedness by planting all kinds of evil, discouragement, and falsehoods in our minds. Our ammo? The Word of God.
Let’s hear the Word of the Lord through the apostle Paul,
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
Spiritual transformation starts in our hearts and minds. A mind dedicated and anchored in God’s truths helps us to stand the tests of time, and resist the temptation, lies, deception, and assaults of the adversary. The Word of God transforms us by renewing our minds and protects us from ungodly worldviews, behaviors, and culture.
It’s so imperative that we filter our thoughts in light of Scripture. This not only combats the lies of the enemy but most of all conform our minds to the mind of Christ.
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5
When we fill our minds with the Word of God it silences the enemy's voice in our ears and leaves no room for him to come in and infiltrate. I mean we’ve got to be like the Psalmist and delight in the law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. Then we will be like trees planted by rivers of water that bring forth fruit in its season; not giving the enemy one inch of room in our minds.
As I reflect on the day that I was baptized in regards to going down in the water bound and coming out of the water bound; I now have a different view. Lord knows I was battling and burdened down with many things but the minute I asked Jesus into my heart He came to live inside me! I crossed from death to life and I was then an earthen vessel having this glorious treasure! The Spirit of the Living God living inside me; loving me with a love that would not let go!
Blessing me with grace upon grace to not to "get myself together", but to submit myself to GOD and allow Him to work in me what was and is pleasing to Him, empowering me to break free and pull down every high thing that exalted itself against the knowledge of Him. Hallelujah!
The enemy wants to render us hopeless. The stress, chaos, confusion in the world are causing many to lose hope. Minds bombarded with so many perplexities so much so that debilitating mental health issues are surging from the immense stress, fear and, uncertainty. If not rooted and grounded in God, His love, and minds protected by His Word many are subject to cave in from the weight of it all. Hear the Word of the Lord,
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8
If we are of the day, followers of Christ, we have a blessed hope! A hope that will not disappoint! Put on the helmet of the blessed hope of salvation!
We must keep our eyes fixed on Christ, the Hope of glory! "That we may walk worthy of the Him, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with might, according to His glorious power for all patience and long-suffering with joy."
"Giving thanks to the Father who qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."
Colossians 1:10-14 Hallelujah!
To win the war in our minds and defeat the enemy we must examine our thoughts and lives in light of God's Word. Be keenly discerning in differentiating the voice in our minds. Be determined to be very familiar, intimate with and dependent on the Holy Spirit, our Helper, to empower us, counsel us, lead us into all truth, sanctify us in truth, impart wisdom, enlighten our eyes of understanding and give us ears to hear, and lift up a standard against the enemy.
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
For further study: Revelation 3:22 Romans 8:5
John 17:17 Romans 6:6 Romans 8:29-30 Psalm 1:2-3
2 Corinthians 4:7 Ephesians 4:22-24 John 5:24
If you are reading this and have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior today is your day! God loves you so much and He has a plan for your life. No need to wait until you "think" you have it all together. None of us have accomplished that but Jesus did. He died on the Cross for your sins and to give you eternal life. Won't you receive Him today?
Lord, I confess my sins and ask for Your forgiveness. Please come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. I believe You died and rose from the dead. Thank You for a new life in You. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord, for saving me and for answering my prayer. In Jesus' name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer we're rejoicing along with the angels in heaven! Feel free to reach out via the contact email.
Prayers and brightest blessings ahead!
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