“Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17 NLT)

 

There are a lot of motorcyclists today who don’t like helmet laws. Rather than donning a helmet, they prefer to feel the wind in their hair and the sun on their face. It feels like freedom. That is, when things are going well. But the moment they lose control, and their bike goes airborne, is when a helmet suddenly seems like a really good idea. In fact, it might be the difference between life and death. Between walking away from an accident and being carried away from it.

The helmet of the Roman soldier was made of leather and covered with metal. It was the last piece of armor the soldier put on. It was essential in battle for the same reason a motorcycle helmet is important: It protected the brain, the command center of the body. The brain processed the input of the soldier’s eyes and ears. It recalled the soldier’s training. It deciphered the enemy’s battlefield strategies. It directed the soldier’s movements. The protection the helmet provided was crucial. If the soldier’s brain was damaged, the rest of the armor was useless.

In spiritual battle, believers must put on the helmet of salvation because our minds, thoughts, and imaginations must be protected. That’s where most temptations start. The devil recognizes the importance of getting a foothold in the realm of our thoughts and imagination, because it prepares the way for that thought to translate into action. Perhaps you’re familiar with the adage, “Sow a thought; reap an act. Sow an act; reap a habit. Sow a habit; reap a character. Sow a character; reap a destiny.” It all starts with a thought.

Putting on the helmet of salvation means embracing the assurance of salvation that God offers. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross saves us from God’s ultimate punishment for our sin and makes eternal life possible. But it does more than that. In the here and now, it saves us from the devil’s attacks. God has equipped us to win the battle for our minds.

We may not be able to control all the things in this world that we’re exposed to, but we can control some things. We can control the social media we choose to explore. We can control the movies and shows we choose to watch. We can control what we choose to read and listen to. 

In his letter to the believers in Philippi, Paul offered some insight into how to do it. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise” (Philippians 4:6–8 NLT).

Be careful what you allow into your mind. Put on the helmet of salvation.

 

Reflection question: What’s your most effective strategy for guarding your mind against the devil’s attacks? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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