Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and deceits of the devil.
Ephesians 6:11 Amp
We've been working our way through the whole armor of God... considering how to take an active role in our defense against the darkness... God wouldn't have supplied us with armor... if He didn't expect us to enter the battle... passivity is not an option...
The next piece of armor... the helmet of salvation....
Take the helmet of salvation...
Ephesians 6:17
take... in Greek... dechomai... meaning... to take with the hand... receive... grant access to... to take upon one's self...
The helmet of salvation... is something we must receive... and in the taking... implies the wearing...
For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:9
helmet... a covering... made to protect the head... common items even today... for football... or motorcycles...
The mind is essential for life and coordination; the head is vulnerable to lethal or incapacitating blows. Thus the soldier needs a helmet...
---The IVP New Testament Commentary Series: Ephesianssalvation... deliverance from the power and effects of sin... liberation from ignorance or illusion... preservation from destruction or failure... deliverance from danger or difficulty...
Take the helmet of salvation...
Receive... cover your head... mind... thoughts... with the deliverance... saving grace... found in Jesus...
"...Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:12 NIV
Our head... the seat of our brain... the center of thought... reason... will... a vulnerable place... when it comes to spiritual warfare...
The enemy... lies... accuses... fosters unbelief... making our mind... the battlefield... a place in dire need of defense...
Satan is currently... and temporarily... the prince of the world... the one who determines its current pattern... way...
Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2 NIV
The Word warns us not to conform to the world's way... but be transformed... by the renewing of our mind... then you will be able to test... approve... what God's will is... His good... pleasing... perfect will...
The salvation message... enables us to disregard... the blows of the enemy... that which has the potential to... incapacitate... stun... confuse...
Take control of your thought life...
...take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Filter all... through the helmet of salvation... every thought... considered from the perspective of the cross...
Thoughts about you...
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith --- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God ---
Ephesians 2:8
Thoughts about others...
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise,
as some understand slowness.
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,
but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9
Thoughts about how to live...
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age...
Titus 2:11-12
Salvation... and its message... protect us from the lies... accusations... and deceptions... of the enemy...
Begin to transform your mind... through active... thoughts... of salvation...
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable --- if anything is excellent
or praiseworthy --- think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
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