The Armor of GodSample

Day 5: The Helmet of Salvation and Sword of the Spirit

The list of our spiritual armor continues in Ephesians 6:17 NKJV, which says, “And take the helmet of salvation....” The helmet worn by a Roman soldier in Early New Testament times was typically made of bronze, and it was extremely heavy. Fortunately for the soldier, the inside of the helmet was filled with a spongy material to soften the weight of it on the soldier’s head. This piece of armor protected the soldier’s head and prevented the enemy armies from knocking him out or beheading him.

As the apostle Paul observed the importance of the helmet to a Roman soldier, he began to liken it to the power of our salvation. Our salvation is the greatest gift that God has ever given us. The moment we are saved, the helmet of salvation is placed upon our heads to protect our minds and thoughts from the onslaught of lies and accusations from the enemy.

When the devil attacks, the first place he tries to penetrate is the mind, but when we spend time in the Word of God and strengthen our mind with His thoughts toward us — the things He says about our salvation, redemption, healing, and so much more — it shields us from the lies of the enemy. The devil can not get past our impenetrable helmet of salvation!

In addition to the helmet of salvation, we have also been given the sword of the Spirit, which is the spoken Word of God. Ephesians 6:17 NKJV continues, “...and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” The Greek word for “word” is rhema, which refers to a specific, revealed word illuminated by the Holy Spirit and spoken by the recipient of the revelation.

Our relationship with God began with our mouths, friend. We believed in our hearts that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead, and we confessed it with our mouths. We also use our words to communicate with Him through prayer, and there is no more intimate relationship in our lives than our communication with God through prayer and worship. When we use our words to pray, “Lord, I don’t know what to do about this situation, but I’m inviting the Holy Spirit to help me,” or when we speak against sickness in the authority and power of the name of Jesus, it is all prayer, and prayer contains the power to stop the enemy in his attacks against us.

You don’t need to feel helpless or afraid because of everything that’s going on in the world. God has placed within you the armor necessary to defeat every scheme, lie, and attack of the enemy! 1 John 4:4 NKJV reminds us, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” The Greater One lives inside us, and He is greater than any fear, sickness, relational problem, confusion, doubt, and anything else that we will ever face in this life, and we have His Word on that!

For Your Consideration:

• What roles do the Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit play in your life?
• God wants you to talk to Him, and He wants to talk back to you! Have you dedicated time today to pray? Set aside five minutes to pray and five minutes to sit and listen for God’s response.