HELMET

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

The fifth element in the Believer’s Spiritual Armor is the HELMET of Salvation: “And take the helmet of salvation…” (Eph.6:17a). We are to receive the helmet to protect the head, which is one of the most vulnerable areas of the body. It is imperative in warfare that the head is protected, because the deadliest injuries can be suffered on it. One would upon the head can defeat and destroy the soldier. If he lost an arm he could continue to fight with his other arm to resist the enemy. But if he loses his head, it's all over! The Roman soldier's helmet was made of bronze, with leather attachments and straps to fasten it on. It had a band to protect the forehead area, and two plates that came down to protect the cheek areas. It also had a piece of metal over the back of the neck to protect the neck area. The helmet would be strapped in place securely, and all that really was exposed were the eyes, the nose, and the mouth area.

Paul used the military analogy to instruct us concerning the protection of our mind. As the Roman’s soldier’s helmet protected his head, so the helmet of salvation protects our mind. When the soldier went into combat, the first thing the opponent would try to do was strike with his sword to split his head or pierce his breastplate. A wise warrior would not go into battle without a proper metal helmet to protect the head. In the head is the mind, which must be fortified with the knowledge of Salvation. The helmet of salvation therefore means to be saved if one is going to be Victorious: to be saved from sin, delivered from the devil, and rescued from the world. Putting on the helmet of salvation implies that you had better be saved if you are going to battle against the devil. Isaiah 59:17a portrays a picture of the Lord being adorned in His Armor, including His Helmet: “For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head…”  You must realise who you are, how secure you are, and how significant you are in Christ Jesus.

Whoever is unsure of his or her salvation is unlikely to be effective in spiritual warfare. Such a person could easily end up as a casualty in warfare. God demands that you wear the helmet of salvation to safeguard your head and mind. The mind being Satan’s battlefield needs to be conscientiously and effectively guarded. The assurance that you are saved will help repel the enemy’s lies, as he tries to cause you to question God or to think contrary to Scripture. With the certainty of salvation, your mind is able to remain steady. The Bible teaches that we can know in whom we have believed: “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (1Tim.1:12). Also, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful” (Heb.10:23). Of course, the enemy will try to make you doubt your salvation, and knock you off balance, but you must affirm your stand!

John the Beloved consistently referred to the reality of assurance of salvation (1Jh.5:11-13). The helmet of salvation literally means to be clothed with the knowledge that you are a child of God; that you belong to Him; that He is yours and you are His; that your sins are forgiven; that you have passed from death to life; that you are new creature in Christ – you are hid with Christ in God. Going into spiritual battle without an assured mind of where you stand in God makes you very vulnerable to defeat. Are you wearing the helmet of salvation, or are you listening to the taunting voices of doubt and confusion?