5. The helmet of salvation:
Roman soldiers never entered battle without their helmet. Helmets were made of thick leather covered with metal plates or they were made of heavy molded or beaten metal. Helmets usually had cheek pieces to protect the face. Helmets were protection from the large double edged broadswords carried by cavalrymen who swung at the heads of foot soldiers. Helmets were protection against the enemies primary weapon. Satan’s primary blows are against our minds and directed at the believer’s security and assurance in Christ. The two edges of Satan’s spiritual broadsword are discouragement and doubt. Satan wants us to doubt our salvation and discourage us by pointing out our failures, our sins, our problems, our poor health, or whatever else seems negative in our lives.
Satan wants us to lose confidence in the love and care of our heavenly Father by convincing us we don’t deserve God’s love. Satan wants us to doubt biblical truths, including doubt about one’s salvation. If Satan can get us to doubt God’s goodness and dependability our relationship with God becomes uncertain. If our hope in God wanes we are susceptible to discouragement. As Christians our hope is everything and we can never allow Satan to touch the bedrock of our faith which is “the hope of salvation”.
If we lack hope in the future promise of salvation there can be no security in the present. Hold fast to the truth of God’s Word and ignore Satan, the father of lies. We must live by faith and not by sight. The helmet of salvation is the great hope of final salvation that gives us confidence and assurance that our present struggle with Satan will not last forever. We know we will be victorious in the end.
Ephesians 6:17 – And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.