Our salvation and God’s word in the battle are essential if we are to survive the invisible war being waged against us by our enemy. Ephesians 6:17Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [1]
The helmet kept the soldier’s head safe and was crafted from materials like leather and brass, or sometimes bronze and iron. Isaiah the prophet describes the Lord wearing the helmet of salvation. Isaiah 59:17 He put on righteousness as his body armor and placed the helmet of salvation on his head.[2]
No man stepped forward, so the Lord Himself put on the helmet of salvation to protect His people. If we don’t wear God’s armor and stand for Him, eventually He will wear it and fight for His glory. However, God prefers to work through us with His armor. Is the Lord calling you today to put on His armor and the helmet of salvation?
The Assurance of Salvation
The assurance of salvation serves as our strong helmet, protecting our minds from anything the enemy might try to throw our way. Jesus gave a warning. Matthew 10:28 Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.[3] This verse reminds us of the importance of wearing that helmet tightly as we get ready to face satan’s attacks.
Salvation isn’t just something that happened once in the past or something we hope for in the future. Instead, God’s salvation is a continuous, eternal blessing that His children enjoy every day. It offers us daily protection and rescue from our sinful natures and satan’s schemes.
By putting on the helmet of salvation each day, we protect our minds from harmful suggestions, desires, and traps set by the enemy. It’s a gentle reminder to guard ourselves from too much worldly influence and instead focus on what truly honors Christ. This fosters a sense of spiritual safety and devotion.
The Sword of the Spirit
The phrase “sword of the Spirit” is only found in Ephesians 6:17 as part of our spiritual armor. Furthermore, Paul emphasizes the sword of the Spirit as the only offensive weapon we possess. The Spirit empowers God’s Word to be effective when we speak or receive it. It gives the Word its ability to penetrate deeply and remain sharp.
For example, when Jesus faced temptation by the devil in Matthew chapter four, He responded not with His own words but with God’s Word. This demonstrates how powerful and vital it is. When satan tempts us, we need to live by the Spirit of God’s Word. Since every Christian is engaged in a spiritual battle against satanic and evil forces in this world, we need to learn how to handle the Word correctly. When we do, it becomes a powerful tool—both for defending ourselves against evil and for fighting falsehoods. 2 Corinthians 10: 3 We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.[4] To learn more about how to use salvation and God’s Word in the battle, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/following-jesus-into-battle
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
Good word!