And take the helmet of salvation. Ephesians 6:17a
Salvation changes our head–it changes the way we think.
When we consider salvation, we know that a person has to be born again. (See John 3:3) With that, the Bible teaches that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18. We also know that as we live a life with God here on earth, we are renewed in our mind. (See Romans 12:2) Our minds do not stay the same.
Perhaps a helpful picture of the helmet in use is found in 2 Corinthians 10:5 where we read, “for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” It is in disciplining our thoughts that we realize the work of the helmet of salvation.
It is our salvation, our relationship with God through Messiah, made possible by the blood shed on the cross, the empty tomb, and the Spirit poured out on the believing heart that enables us to discipline our thoughts, to take our thoughts captive and to make them obey Christ. God keeps us, but we need participate in guarding our thoughts and hearts–our minds.
The helmet of our salvation protects our thoughts–it gives us a new way of viewing the world, our situation, our future. The helmet protects our mind–it allows us to put aside anxiety, worry, grief, and any manner of thought patterns that might entrap us and rob us of the peace we were promised.
