The Helmet and Sword

“Put on Salvation as your helmet and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” Ephesians 6:17 NLT

Can you imagine a soldier in hand to hand combat going into battle with all his armor on and not the helmet? Like a snake the enemy would strike. One swipe to the head and it would be all done. End of battle. There is no way we can make it without Jesus. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.

God sent His Son to pay the price for our sins because there was no other way. No other way that we can be saved but by the blood of Jesus. Accept Him as your Savior, ask Him to forgive your sins and you will have the protection of the helmet of salvation.

“If you confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for your sins and ask Him to forgive your sins and be Lord of your life.

“For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” Romans 10:9-10 NLT

The Helmet of Salvation is also the certainty that we are washed clean, justified in God’s eyes and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb.

“No guilt in life, no fear in death”, the song, “In Christ Alone” says. I don’t have to fear the here-after, cuz I know where I’m going after here. I know I am redeemed. My Savior has sealed me and keeps me for the day of Salvation, the day I fly away to my home in the sky! He holds me in His hands. Nothing can take me out of His hand.

No guilt in life. I am washed in the blood of the Lamb. He has clothed me with a garment of salvation and covered me with a robe of righteousness. (Is. 61:10) When my Father looks on me, He doesn’t see the blackness of my human heart, but a dazzling white robe.   Because of the blood of Jesus, because of the price He paid, I am pure and clean in God’s eyes.

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Is. 51:7

With the helmet of Salvation in place, Satan’s darts of guilt and fear can not penetrate my mind. Guilt is something the enemy uses to smash us in the dirt of discouragement. He likes nothing more than reminding us of our past sins and how terribly black our hearts really are and how far we are from the dazzling white of God’s righteousness. And filling our hearts with hopelessness.

But the blood of Jesus flowing from the cross washes all our sin and filth completely away. He gives us a garment that is spotless and white as snow!

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Ps. 103:12 NLT

He remembers them no more. He sees them not again. Ever. They are gone from His sight. We are made as white as wool. Praise to Jesus our Savior and Lord! Praise His Holy name!

  “Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” The Bible is the only defensive piece of armor. Every other piece is for protection, God’s word is for fighting back. Don’t hesitate to use it! “Fight the devil with the Bible!” Is what our pastor loves to say.

The Living Word of God is our only weapon in this war we are fighting against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world. The super natural. Mighty powers in this dark world, that we can not see. And evil spirits in the heavenly places that hate our guts! It’s real. It’s true. Satan wants to take us out. He is prowling like a roaring, hungry lion seeking whom he may devour.

His flaming arrows are many; pleasures of this world, sin, lust, guilt, discontentment, depression, disillusionment, discouragement, worry, anxiety and fear. To name a few. He knows where our weaknesses are, he knows just when to shoot the arrows and his aim is sure. Satan is the master deceiver and he has many strategies. He is stalking God’s people. I see it all over. How can we fight such a foe.

God’s word says, “Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” Only in Jesus and God’s mighty power can we even hope to stand against the devil. “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” Eph. 6:10-11

Only with our armor in place can we stand our ground.

With our weapon, the sword, in our hand we must stand on its truth only, nothing else. The truth of God. Stand on His promises, rely on His words, follow His instructions for Godly living.

Godly living, righteousness, or right living, protects our vitals. One step in the wrong way, one slip down the slippery slope of sin and Satan’s arrows will find a crack and make its way to our heart. There is no middle ground. No walking the fence. We are either all in for God or on the other side. We can not stand in both worlds.

We must be prepared with sturdy shoes. We must be ready to climb that mountain. We can only be prepared with a sturdy foundation by being saturated in the gospel of peace. God’s Word. The teachings of Jesus. The promises of the Psalms. Then and only then will we be able to make the grade. Being saturated in His word and continually in His presence so that with His power and strength we will be able to climb that rocky mountainside. And cling to His safety rope of redemption.

ABOVE ALL. Most importantly take up the shield of faith. Trusting Him even in the dark valley of the shadow of death, even when we are surrounded by evil and blackness. Even when we see no light. Even when there seems no way to climb the sheer wall before us. Even when the waters rush over our heads. Trusting that even when there is no way, He makes a way. Trusting Him to get us through to the other side. Putting our hearts and our lives in the hands of the great Healer. Resting in His peace. Rejoicing in His joy. Because in quietness and rest is our strength. Even when turmoil and terrible trouble is all around us. Especially then.

Holding up our solid iron shield of trust will surely block those devastating darts of worry, discouragement, fear and despair the enemy flings our way. With a ping they will sheer away and fall harmless by the wayside.

Trust in a God powerful enough to create worlds, strong enough to hold stars in place, loving enough to send His son into a cursed world to save the likes of me. That’s what it takes.

Put on the certainty of your salvation so your mind will be protected and take up your weapon, the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. Walk by the Word. Wield it against the enemy. Beat the devil with the Bible! Carry it. Read it. Remember it. Live it.

Soldiers of the Almighty God everywhere here are your marching orders:

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Eph. 6:18

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time He will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.” 1 Peter 5:6-9 NLT