Helmet of Salvation
A helmet is worn for protection, specifically to protect the brain. The Word mentions the Helmet of Salvation three times. I think we need first and foremost to understand that God is very concerned about our minds and our thinking. (Rm 12:2, Col 3:2, 1 Cor 3:18, 2 Tim 2:7, Ecc 10:20, 1 Peter 5:8). Just like a good father he wants us to wear a helmet when we go out into a world where head damage is commonplace and dangerous.
God points out that our thinking is shaped either by the world or by our salvation. Our mind is protected from our memory of sin and haunting experiences by our justification. Our current thoughts are shaped in our ongoing sanctification. And we are motivated to plan and think about our future with glorification in mind. The battlefield of the mind requires that we kill and take captives. This is the biblical language for war over our minds. We are to kill our old thoughts, our old behavior, our old self. “Put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Col 3:5). How do we do this? We reckon ourselves to be dead to those things. They are separated from us, foreign to us, not of us anymore. Need an example?
Has anyone ever quit smoking? I used to smoke cigarettes back in the 1990s. (I know, I am old.) When I smoked it was part of my everyday life. I bought cigarettes every few days. I always knew how many I had left. I had lighters and ashtrays. It was just a normal part of life. Then I quit. I had to kill my addiction. It was a slow painful death. It was not easy. In those first few weeks the addiction just knawed on me constantly. I began to realize that I still thought about it all the time even after the physical addiction had died. Then after a few more weeks, I had to kill habits develope different routines. After putting these things to death then I only thought about cigarettes occasionally. I don’t mean randomly but rather on the occasions that smoking used to be a part of the event: Going out with friends (especially with those who smoked too); Eating out at a restaurant; Holidays. So I had to put those things to death by learning to look forward to different aspects of the events and developing different rituals. But then I had to deal with the emotional aspect of smoking. And that nagging aspect hung around for a long time. Even after not smoking for over a year I still found myself wanting a cigarette when I was experiencing strong emotions. It turns out my brain was trained to use the act of smoking a cigarette to deal with negative emotions like anger, sadness, anxiety, disappointment, loneliness, and frustration. So I had to put those cravings to death and learn to deal with things without the artificial comfort of nicotine.
But now 20 years later they all very foreign to me. I can’t even imagine wanting a cigarette. The smell and taste are repulsive to me now. I have died to cigarette smoking. It is dead to me. Now smoking is not a sin or a moral issue it’s just a handy allegory that works. Those things that we used to do before we were saved can cling to us in our minds. The bible tells us to do very practical things to reform and renew our minds. For instance, we are to find new things to enjoy and look forward to: “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Php 4:8). We are to develop new rituals and new special occasions. “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” (1 Co 11:25). Do not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Heb 10:25). And finally, we are to train our brains to deal with emotions differently. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Php 4:6–7). As you can see the practical things work in putting old sin and sinful habits to death. It’s not easy and you may be thinking it’s impossible and you’re right. It is near impossible for you alone. That is why God wants to do it in you! (Luke 18:27).To show you how wonderful and powerful He is.
And there is more good news! The Lord has given us something extra to protect us. A Helmet! To remember and meditate and dwell on the miracle of our salvation protects our thinking and keeps us from sin. The following passage is about Jesus and how he would wear the helmet first. Keeping in mind what he was sent to do. His helmet was our salvation. It obviously protected him in the desert when he was being tempted. (Mt 4:1-11).
Then the LORD saw it[sin], and it displeased Him
That there was no justice.
He saw that there was no man,
And wondered that there was no intercessor;
Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him;
And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.
For He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,
And was clad with zeal as a cloak. (Is 59:15–17)
Then we are reminded in Ephesians that we are in a spiritual war and that many things have been provided for us to us in this war. One aspect is our mind and thoughts. And now we are to put on the Helmet of Salvation ourselves.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— (Eph 6:12–18).
In Thessalonians the word “hope” is added, to emphasize the ongoing nature of salvation. Our continued sanctification and our future glory at the resurrection! There is nothing like perspective to help guard our thinking and getting to caught up in our daily troubles and emotions.
Brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 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 Th 5:4–8).
Put on your helmet and renew your mind. Remember you dead to your old ways, continue to take captive those thoughts that plague you from your old dead existence and walk in the newness of life eternal!
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly. (Ro 12:1–3).
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