Understanding the Armor of God: The Helmet of Salvation

​Understanding the Armor of God: The Helmet of Salvation (Read time ≈ 5 minutes)
Ephesians 6:17
“and take the helmet of salvation…”
 
The helmet of salvation. This one carries a similarity to the breastplate of righteousness in the sense that it covers and protects vital organs. In this case, our brain which is in our head. We need our brain to work right! It is essential. We have all had those days where you just feel like your brain is in a fog. You can’t think right, make mistakes, get confused too easily, etc. On the battlefield, your brain matters. Not just function but also not taking any damage. Enough damage to your head and/or brain will be the death of you. Then there is the idea of our mind. Although, some believe our mind is contained within our brain, others believe our mind is not confined to our brain or even confined to our body. Of course, science doesn’t like that because it makes a case for our souls and our divinely created nature. But I will digress on that. Nonetheless, regardless of the location of our mind, we often consider it to be a part of our head. Our mind is affected by spiritual matters. Our mind, is perhaps the most heated battlefield we face on a day-to-day basis. Our mind, faces more assaults than any other area of our life. Our mind, is routinely under attack. Our mind needs very real protection.
 
What more in this life could bring greater security and protection to a nonphysical element of us, known as our mind, than salvation itself? Salvation is the very thing that keeps our mind focused and on track. Salvation is the very thing that defends us on the vicious battlefield of our mind. Our mind is generally under attack dealing with issues about us and those around us when it comes to self-worth, self-image/self-esteem, how people view us, our past failures, our capabilities (or lack thereof) for future endeavors, current issues we face and the list could go on all day long. Many of these things we face are lies… and honestly, some of them are true. But the greatest victory we have on the battlefield of our mind is salvation and it is a victory that was not won by our abilities, talents or strengths it was a victory won by the Blood of Jesus Christ and nothing else. This was no one point win in overtime barely squeak out a win with some lucky plays type of victory. It was a resounding, dominant, no questions ask, butt whooping of the devil and his bois. It’s the type of victory that, when put into perspective, and is fully grasped and appreciated can bring protection, defense and victory to even the most vulnerable of minds.
 
Perhaps the most important part of the helmet of salvation that Paul is trying remind us is found in the word “take”. When we understand this, we understand the power of this piece of armor and that it protects us and by no effort of ours. Unfortunately, some translations replace this word with “put on” but it must be “take”! We are told to “fasten the belt of truth”, “put on the breastplate of righteousness”, “put on” as shoes to our feet the Gospel, “take up” or pick up the shield of faith. But for the helmet of salvation, we are simply told to “take the helmet of salvation”. This word “take” is the Greek word Δέχομαι(dechomai), which literally means, “to receive, accept, welcome”. Similarly, how you would take a gift from someone. It is in no part done by you; it is something given to you. All other parts of the armor require some level of effort. The helmet of salvation… just receive it and let it protect you. I imagine, as a warrior, putting on this armor; and we have fastened our belt of truth, we have put on our breastplate of righteousness, we have put on our shoes of the Gospel. We have done all that we can do to prepare for battle and then we approach the Lord of Angel armies, we kneel before Him with our head bowed as he bestows upon our still vulnerable head, the helmet of salvation. The piece of armor in which we cannot do anything for other than to accept it from our Commander and let it rest on our head as it protects us continually from danger. A helmet requires nothing from you, other than to wear it and then it does its job. We cannot raise our salvation in defense of our souls. That would give us too much credit. Our salvation is placed upon us by our Savior and as long as it remains on our head we are covered by His grace. Let this comfort you. Let this bring peace to your mind. Let this remind you, it is Jesus Christ, the Lord of Angel Armies, who is on your side and protecting you in ways you cannot protect yourself. That is what it means to truly dechomai (take) the helmet of salvation.