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This is Nugget 5 ending this series, submitted by yours truly...Tina. Please pray that God will give inspiration and revelation to all contributors, using them to His glory and for the edifying of every reader.
Nugget #4: Background Passage: Ephesians 6:10-20 Focal Passage: Ephesians 6:17-18
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
5. Take the helmet of salvation (v. 17)
Helmet- a covering or enclosing headpiece; any of various protective head coverings usually made of a hard material to resist impact
Salvation- deliverance from the power and effects of sin; liberation from ignorance or illusion; preservation from destruction or failure; deliverance from danger or difficulty
When we take (put on) the helmet of salvation, we take on the protection of the soul, which consists in (the hope of) salvation. See also Is 59:17, 1 Thes 5:8 Everyone needs a covering, a headship, in his or her life. It does not only refer to women and the covering they have in their husbands. Jesus Christ must be the head of every man and woman. His saving power is our covering, helping us to resist the impact of sin. Sin has an impact on everyone. However, when we put on the helmet of salvation, it protects from that impact; Jesus’s redemptive blood absorbs the blows that sin once inflicted on our lives so that no further damage can be done. We are often in positions due to past sin, but the helmet keeps the damage from getting worse, and provides a solid, protective place so that old wounds and scars and inflictions can heal. According to this verse, salvation should be taken on as a helmet. The helmet protects the head, which holds the brain, which controls the functions of our bodies. Likewise, salvation is a state of mind that protects our thinking that controls our actions. If we have not the hope of salvation constantly controlling our mind, then we will eventually succumb to the enemy’s attacks on our mind, and sin will result. Too many blows to the head can cause major damage to the point where other important body functions shut down; a state of vegetation can result, or death. Likewise, the impact of sin eventually will shut down all other bodily functions that we perform in God’s service: if the enemy can attack our mind with condemnation for the sin we have committed, if we lose the hope of our salvation that comes from knowing that there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, then other functions begin to shut down. We stop praying, thinking God won’t hear us. We stop going to church, feeling unworthy of being in God’s house because of our sin. We no longer associate with Godly people, feeling beneath them. Condemnation that accompanies sin will cripple you, inhibit you, turn you into a vegetable- you’re still breathing, existing, but no life is in you. Eventually, it can and will kill you.
7. Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (v. 17)
This is the ONLY offensive part of the Christian's armor; all other parts are defensive, used to maintain what one already possesses. How do we fight? Do we use physical weaponry, earthly swords and guns? Remember from Bible Nugget #1 that our enemy is not of the world. So, we could never defeat him with worldly weaponry. Instead, we must use the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. When faced with opposition, all we have to do is remember and speak the Word of God concerning that issue, and the Spirit of God will use that Word to cut up any attack of the enemy. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He never once fought satan with his physical strength or even with His own words, but with the written Word (Matt 4). Remember, the Word of God will never return to Him void, but will accomplish the thing for which it was sent to accomplish (Is. 55:11). God cannot lie, so His Word is a sure foundation on which to stand. Man may fail his word, say one thing today and change his mind tomorrow, but God will never go back on His Word. That is why the wages of sin is still death; God could have changed His mind and said, “OK, you can sin a little, as long as you get it right before you die, and I will just punish you, not send you to hell.” But then, He could not be trusted, and would not be God. Instead, He spoke a Word of hope, of redemption, that the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus. He always provides a way of escape (1 Co. 10:13), even from the penalty of death! Praise the Name of the Lord!!!
8. Pray and watch always in the Spirit for all saints(v. 18)
Ah, an often forgotten component of the armor. How can you expect to know how to use your armor without prayer? We are to always pray and be mindful of the leading of the Spirit. Not only our physical eyes and ears, but also our spiritual eyes and ears need to be tuned to the needs and battles of the body of Christ, and we must stay in a continual posture of prayer. Our prayers should not only be for ourselves, but for ALL of God’s people. Lastly, but not least, pray for those in authority over us- the apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors and teachers that shepherd us.
In conclusion, let’s take another look at the armor of God: the BELT of truth, the BREASTPLATE of righteousness, the FOOT COVERING of the preparation of the gospel of peace, the SHIELD of faith, the HELMET of salvation, and the SWORD of the Spirit. Notice anything about the armor? I do. Was any of the armor named for the BACK of the body? Do we have a BACKplate of righteousness? How about a BUTTShield of faith? Do we shod our HEELS with the preparation of the gospel of peace? NO, we don’t! Why? Because we were never meant to show the enemy our backs, never meant to run! IF I am righteous, full of faith and integrity, what reason do I have to run? God never meant for us to turn and run. Each part of the armor was designed that we might stand. That we can move forward boldly with the peace, confidence and protection of God. If you’re leaning and depending on your own strength, you’ll turn and run every time. Each component of the armor equips me to either fight or stand. Heavy armor is not the best running suit anyway. Once we expose our backs to the enemy, we become a prime target for whatever dart he throws our way. How can we quench the darts with our backs turned? We won’t even see them coming! God's warplan is clear: Fight with the Word of God, defend with the shield of faith, and having done all you can, stand on the truth, righteousness, and gospel of Jesus Christ as you see the salvation of the Lord! Now are you ready for war? I am! Remember, DON'T SHOW "EM YOUR BACK!
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