New Life in Christ Pt. 20 God's Armor: Changing How We think & the Helmet of Salvation

Ephesians 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

The next part of the whole armor of God has one piece of protection for our body. Paul told us to take the helmet of salvation. The word "take" generally means to accept an offer after careful deliberation, taking for yourself what is graciously given by another. This word is often translated "receive" in the sense of receiving something that is offered freely to you.  

James 1:21-25  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22) But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23) For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24) For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25) But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 

The same word "take" is translated "receive" in James 1. The apostle tells us to discard, throw away or "put off" all the vile, polluting things of the world and to humbly receive or "put on"  the inspired Word of God because it can save our souls. God's word communicates gospel truth that leads people to faith in Jesus Christ. 

James reminded us that if we are truly born again and regenerated by God's Spirit, then we will make different choices and our life will not be like it was before salvation. Old things will pass away and we will desire to live for the glory of God. 

The word translated "salvation" is only found five times in the New Testament.  

Luke 2:25-32  And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26) And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27) And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28) Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29) Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30) For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31) Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32) A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 

A devout Jewish believer named Simeon was waiting for God to send His Messiah into the world. The Holy Spirit of God revealed to this good man that he would see the Christ of God before he died. 

Thus, when Joseph and Mary brought baby Jesus into the temple for circumcision according to the law of Moses, Simeon was there too. The Spirit of God led this believing man to go into the temple at that very moment when Mary and Joseph walked in. His heart must have been thrilled by the grace of God in permitting him to see Christ, who would become the Savior of the world. 

Simeon joyously exclaimed as he picked up the Lord Jesus in his arms, that he was content to die for he had seen "thy salvation", that is the Savior sent from God. You might recognize the Greek word translated "salvation" in our word "soteriology" which is the theology and doctrine of salvation through Jesus Christ. Thus, the word "salvation" points to the one through whom God accomplished the redemption and salvation of man, namely by Jesus Christ. 

Psalm 3:7-8  Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8) Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. 

Salvation in the Old Testament is often in the sense of Jehovah delivering Israel from great enemies who sought to do them harm. In the New Testament, salvation is about God saving us from our great enemy, Satan and delivering us from spending eternity in Hell. Salvation through Christ is also about a believer's daily deliverance from sin, lust and the corrupting cultural influences that press in upon us. Thus, King David tells us that salvation is something that belongs to Jehovah and none other. Only God can save us and only Jesus Christ brought salvation to all who will believe on Him. 

Psalm 18:35  Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great.

In this text the Psalmist tells us that Jehovah provides the shield of salvation which Paul described as the helmet of salvation. Salvation protects our soul from the devil, from Hell, from living a life dominated by sin and depravity. 

Psalm 35:9  And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation.

Taking the helmet of salvation brings great joy into the heart and mind of the believer in Jesus Christ. Living for God instead of for self is truly the best life a man, woman or young person can live on earth until He calls us home. 

Psalm 37:39  But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

We take up the helmet of salvation because it brings us the righteousness of Jehovah by faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation provides believers strength during times of trouble, such as heartache, trials or spiritual warfare. 

The Helmet of Salvation involves renewing our minds. 

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

We have looked at this text several times but it bears repeating this truth again. Born again believers are to live their life as a sacrifice to God, choosing to mortify the deeds of the flesh and live according to the revealed will of God. We are commanded to not be conformed to this world. Rather, we are changed by having our minds renewed through the ministry of the Spirit of God with the Word of God in the heart of man.

 

Philippians 4:7-8  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

Taking the helmet of salvation will bring the calming peace of God into our minds. No matter how chaotic the world is, we have peace with God through faith in Christ and the salvation He brought to us. We have a peace that passes all understanding. This settling peace that unbelieving people can't figure out because the believer is not falling apart during a crisis like evryone else may be doing. 

It is appropriate that we take the helmet of salvation because this is worn to protect our head from injury. It is about renewing our minds, changing the way we think so that our thoughts will align with what God says in His word. Thus, we are commanded to "think on these things" the good things of God. In fact, Paul listed 8 beneficial things to focus our thoughts upon. It is summarized by thinking on things that are virtuous and praiseworthy. 

Jehovah knows our thoughts.

Psalm 139:1-2 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2) Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. 

God searches our hearts and knows us better than we know ourselves. He understands our thoughts and He knows that what we focus on and think about is what will decide the choices we make. We need His transforming power in order to think pure thoughts and have our will ready to hear from God and to serve Him. 

Psalm 139:23-24  Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24)  And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. 

The believer can take the helmet of salvation and the Spirit of God will take the Word of God and change the way we think. We can ask Jehovah to search our hearts so He can show us any wicked ways that need to be dealt with. His word is a discerner of the thoughts and motives in our heart (Hebrews 4:12). 

Thoughts to Ponder...

We see that there is a great need for us to have our minds renewed by taking in God's Word and allowing the Spirit of God to work in us. The scriptures will help us see where we may be thinking wrongly so we can ask God to help us think right. Right thoughts will lead to right actions and this is why Satan is battling for control of our minds. 

Notice how Isaiah points out the importance of God renewing our minds and changing the way that we think. 

Isaiah 55:6-9  Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7) Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. 8) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9) For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

Here is truth from God. Seek Jehovah now, while you still have the opportunity to do so. Call upon Him for salvation because He wants you to repent and be born again (2 Peter 3:9). 

Next, the prophet gives some practical instruction on what seeking God looks like. A wicked sinner should stop their wicked ways. An unrighteous man should stop thinking wrongly. Instead, he must turn to the God of glory and He will be merciful. He will forgive our sins and put a new heart in all who call upon Him for salvation. 

Then, Jehovah speaking through Isaiah, reminds us that His thoughts and His ways are infinitely higher than ours. Thus, our thoughts need to be conformed to God's through the renewing of our mind and a changed way of thinking.

I pray that during this special time of remembering Jesus work on the cross to save us, we might think more about living for His glory and that we would seek to live and serve Christ with all of our heart, soul and mind. 

Bob