Ephesians 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Protecting Our Heads
I had a cousin die many years ago from a motorcycle accident, and the police said that if he had been wearing a helmet, he would likely not have died. Even though that’s a poor analogy, I think the idea is still important: We must protect our heads. But here in this verse specifically, it is meant to protect our thinking. The helmet of salvation goes around and is placed over our heads, but I think it more specifically means it protects our brains or our thinking–our seat of intellect. It doesn’t make much sense to take up all the armor and put it on but then leave off the helmet, which can help direct us in how to use the armor.
Head Knowledge
Did you know that the armor of God isn’t likely original with Paul’s writing? Paul seems to have taken the idea of the helmet of salvation from Isaiah 59:17 where the breastplate of righteousness is also mentioned. Paul, like Isaiah, typically puts pieces of the armor equipment together because they are all necessary, but in the case of the helmet of salvation, it seems to indicate the seat of intellect where the knowledge of our salvation resides. For example, we know that we can’t be saved by works (Eph. 2:8-9), that believing or trusting in Christ brings eternal life (John 3:16), that Jesus promises to turn away no one who comes to Him (John 6:37), that He is the One and only way to be saved (Acts 4:12), and that not one whom He has saved will be lost (John 6:39; 10:28-29). If you have that knowledge in your head, you already have on the helmet of salvation, so be sure to be in the Bible daily so you can be sure to take that helmet with you to change your life today and every day.
A Thicker Helmet
If you are into the Word of God, the Word of God will get into you and stay in you. This is how our minds are renewed (Rom. 12:2). The more Word of God you read, the stronger your knowledge of salvation will be, and this knowledge should make you ready to go out into the world with a head protected by this knowledge, which is the helmet of salvation. The enemy would love you to take off your helmet and set it down because he’s roaming about seeking the weakest foes to devour (1 Pet. 5:8). The helmet of salvation will also protect against the mighty blows the enemy will seek to inflict upon you and me. No wonder that Paul calls this helmet elsewhere in Scripture “the hope of salvation” (1 Thes. 5:8), because that hope is as firm as God’s promises, which are unbreakable. God’s promise is a know-so knowledge, not a hope-so thinking.
A Closing Prayer
God my Father, You know my weaknesses, and sometimes the enemy will try to get me to doubt Your promises in Your Word, so help me to be secure in my salvation by my daily putting on the helmet of salvation that You forged from Your Word by staying in Your Word. It’s just what I need today and every day to change my life, and in Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen
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