Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-20
God’s Armour (Eph 6:10-20):
Ephesians 6:17a and take the helmet of salvation…
Salvation g4992 sōtērion = noun; defender or (by implication) defence.
The 5th piece of armour that Paul highlights is the helmet. No Roman soldier would enter battle without it. Roman helmets were usually made of moulded/beaten metal. Some were made of thick leather which was overlaid with metal plates. They were strong and heavy, and often included plates which came down the sides of the face to protect the cheeks. The helmet serves one purpose only, to protect the soldier’s head, mainly from the attacks of large swords (Brain, hearing, sight, speech, and life).
Remember, Paul’s purpose for explaining the Armour of God is for believers to put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil (Eph 6:11). As Paul relates the helmet to salvation, it is for the purpose of protecting the believer from satanic schemes and attacks that would attack any facet of the believer’s salvation.
Since salvation cannot be reversed or cancelled, the satanically influenced attacks would threaten the minds, beliefs, assurance of salvation, security, and ability to hear and communicate God’s gospel. Satan’s spiritual attacks are the blows of discouragement and doubt. He is a master at drawing to our attention: failures (including sins), life’s difficulties, health problems, financial problems, relationship problems, anything and everything negative which would side tract the believer’s focused thoughts from Christ.
John MacArthur: The test of a person’s character is what it takes to stop him. Some people retreat as soon as the first shot is fired, while others fight through battle after battle with no thought of giving up.
Application:
The believer takes (puts on) the helmet of salvation by centring their attention/thoughts on God’s provision of salvation in all spheres of life, both present and eternal. Depending on God as their defence in all of life. In the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of life.
The helmet of salvation looks to the believer’s justification (Declaration of Innocence). By doing this the believer is assured of their safe standing before God, no matter what other’s tell them, and no matter what Satan tells them.
1 Corinthians 6:11 …you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
The helmet of salvation looks to the blessing of ongoing sanctification (Increasing holiness and Christlikeness).
1Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification…
Rom 12:2 …be transformed by the renewal of your mind…
1Jn 3:3 Everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
2Co 7:1 …let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
2Co 3:18 We all, …beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
The helmet of salvation looks to ultimate glorification (Heavenly completion and perfection). 1 John 3:2 …what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
Romans 13:11 …for salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.
The helmet of salvation realises that our struggle with Satan will NOT last forever. In Christ the believer is victorious.
Romans 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
The believer takes (puts on) the helmet of salvation through intentional trust, hope in God rather than having expectations fulfilled. Plus, by looking to fulfilled promises in eternal life. They also develop an expectation for the Holy Spirit to provide present determination to remain faithful (Steadfast).
Psa 40:4 Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust…
Psa 40:8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.
Psa 40:11 As for you, O LORD, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me!
Rom 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Conclusion:
(An excerpt from gotquestions.org) As we wear the helmet of salvation every day, our minds become more insulated against the suggestions, desires, and traps the enemy lays for us. We choose to guard our minds from excessive worldly influence and instead think on things that honour Christ (Philippians 4:8). In doing so, we wear our salvation as a protective helmet that will “guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isa 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
1Pe 1:5 …who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Questions:
How is the helmet of salvation to be put on in our daily lives?
How can we assist other believers to put on the helmet of salvation?