The Helmet Of Salvation

by HYLAND, D. T. | Category: Battle Briefing | Oct 1994

In this series of articles we have seen that for Paul there is an area of Christian experience which can be illustrated from what takes place on a battlefield. His imagery is derived from the equipment of Roman soldiers. Having described in previous articles the items of armour which cover the torso, consideration must now be given to the protection for the head. The helmets worn by Roman soldiers were usually made of a strong metal such as iron or bronze. According to Barth: "an inside lining of felt or sponge made the weight bearable. Nothing short of an axe or hammer could pierce a heavy helmet, and in some cases a hinged visor added frontal protection". The final piece of the Christian's defensive armour is "the helmet of salvation" (Eph. 6:17) which provides protection for the mind.

The term "total depravity" is sometimes used to indicate that the fall affected all areas of man's being, including the mind. It does not mean that in the unregenerate state men and women are incapable of a humanitarian gesture. It does mean that the mental outlook of the unregenerate mind is hostile to God and His law.

"The mind of the flesh is enmity against God" (Rom. 8:7).

Conversion resists in enlightenment; the mind that shared in the devastating effects of the fall is renewed. Paul could describe converts from both Judaism and paganism as having "put on the new man, which is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of Him that created him"; and as being "renewed in the spirit of your mind" (Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:23). The disciple of Christ who is relying upon the Spirit's guidance will become spiritually mature and exercise spiritual discernment. He or she can be described as a "spiritual" or a "spiritually minded" person, and may even be said to have "the mind of Christ" (1 Cor. 2:15,16). Character and behaviour are transformed by the renewal of the mind.

The believer must, however, always be vigilant because even though he or she may be growing into spiritual maturity, the Devil never gives up the battle for control of the mind. Paul, a devoted servant of Christ whose spiritual attainments were of the highest order, was aware of a conflict in the arena of his mind. He wrote:

I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members (Rom. 7:22,23).

Although Paul delights in God's law, he is conscious of a "different law" which he describes as "the law of sin" which is in conflict with his total assent to "the law of God", which he calls "the law of my mind". The struggle will go on as long as he inhabits "the body of this death" which is his physical body. He longs for deliverance, which the redemption of the body will bring at the Lord's second advent.

Satan finds an undisciplined or undiscerning mind an easy prey to deception and delusion. He attempts to corrupt and confuse by inducing believers to accept his counterfeit, bringing them to a state of mind in which "they will not endure the sound doctrine" (2 Tim. 4:3). The spread of false teaching has ruined the spiritual lives of many and led to the cessation of the churches of God which were planted as a result of apostolic labours.

"Stand ... and take the helmet of salvation", Paul counselled the Ephesians (6:14, 17). In this context salvation is the great gospel word that embraces deliverance from the penalty and power of sin, and also the very presence and effects of sin which will be experienced when the returning Lord takes the Church which is His Body to Himself. The enjoyment of salvation in Christ is essential to enable the believer to face the Adversary, to attempt to win others for Christ and to distinguish between the true and the false.

HYLAND, D. T. | Oct 1994
Battle Briefing