Armor of God (Part 6)
The Helmet Rule and Final Thoughts
Read: Ephesians 6:17-20
I love to ride motorcycles. I still keep the (M) on my driver’s license, although for my family’s peace of mind and for the protection of other people on the road, I rarely, if ever, now ride.
I start off with this “confession” because I want to talk about helmets. Most of us know that many states have a “no helmet rule,” while others states who have a mandatory helmet rule are often quick to enforce it.
In Roman times, practically every army of any nation had their soldiers wear helmets. And without a doubt, Paul was very familiar with the helmet clad soldiers of Rome.
It is interesting that for whatever reason, the “helmet of salvation” is listed as the last piece of armor to put on. It is also interesting that the voice of the verb “receive” is passive rather than active.
We receive the helmet
Most Roman soldiers of any major rank or office had at least one or more attendants who assisted them in putting on the armor. Normally, the attendant would hand the helmet to the soldier, so that while the soldier did place the helmet on his head, he first “received” it from the attendant.
Let’s take a moment to “reason together.” Is it not true that we really don’t “take” or obtain our salvation, but we “receive” it as a gift of God? And let’s also make some applications here of the purpose and intent of the helmet. Are not our minds the major battlefield? Is it not our thoughts, doubts, or misperceptions that hinder our Christian growth?
The below scriptures are like a “helmet of salvation.”
Isaiah 26:3: “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.”
Romans 12:1, 2: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Pray in the Spirit
I intend to give you an example of how to daily put the armor on in a moment or two, but first I want to share one more portion of Ephesians 6 that is essential to a Christian warrior.
Ephesians 6:18-20: “...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Why include these verses a part of the armor? Because no soldier or warrior goes into battle alone, they are part of a squad, platoon, company, or battalion. A warrior is part of a unit who knows those whom he fights with side by side. A warrior is also aware that he or she is part of a large component opposed to the enemy.
And for you and me, praying like this is one of the most powerful weapons of force that we could ever employ.
One of the ways to “pray without ceasing” is to have in our hearts and minds as many things or people to pray for as possible. One of the benefits of praying with the help and anointing of the Holy Spirit is that the Holy Spirit will reveal not only whom to pray for, but what to pray for.
Prayer to put on the armor
Now let me give you an example of how to wear the armor. During my prayer time, I often insert this prayer.
“Father, today I put of the full armor of God, and put on the breastplate of righteousness, (2 Corinthians 5:21), I have my loins girded about with truth, that is Your truth is so deep in my that I will be able to respond with truth and integrity to everyone and everything. My feet wear the Gospel of Peace, so that I might proclaim to all, ‘Our God Reigns.’ I take the shield of faith that I might quench every fiery dart of the enemy, and pick up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. For all Your promises are yes and amen, in Jesus. Today I overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of my testimony, and by not loving my life unto the death. I thank You again for making it possible for me to receive the helmet of salvation, which will protect my thoughts. And I set my heart to pray in the Spirit for all.”
There you have it saints.
Blessings and prayers,
Pastor Gene
Read: Ephesians 6:17-20
I love to ride motorcycles. I still keep the (M) on my driver’s license, although for my family’s peace of mind and for the protection of other people on the road, I rarely, if ever, now ride.
I start off with this “confession” because I want to talk about helmets. Most of us know that many states have a “no helmet rule,” while others states who have a mandatory helmet rule are often quick to enforce it.
In Roman times, practically every army of any nation had their soldiers wear helmets. And without a doubt, Paul was very familiar with the helmet clad soldiers of Rome.
It is interesting that for whatever reason, the “helmet of salvation” is listed as the last piece of armor to put on. It is also interesting that the voice of the verb “receive” is passive rather than active.
We receive the helmet
Most Roman soldiers of any major rank or office had at least one or more attendants who assisted them in putting on the armor. Normally, the attendant would hand the helmet to the soldier, so that while the soldier did place the helmet on his head, he first “received” it from the attendant.
Let’s take a moment to “reason together.” Is it not true that we really don’t “take” or obtain our salvation, but we “receive” it as a gift of God? And let’s also make some applications here of the purpose and intent of the helmet. Are not our minds the major battlefield? Is it not our thoughts, doubts, or misperceptions that hinder our Christian growth?
The below scriptures are like a “helmet of salvation.”
Isaiah 26:3: “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You.”
Romans 12:1, 2: “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Pray in the Spirit
I intend to give you an example of how to daily put the armor on in a moment or two, but first I want to share one more portion of Ephesians 6 that is essential to a Christian warrior.
Ephesians 6:18-20: “...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
Why include these verses a part of the armor? Because no soldier or warrior goes into battle alone, they are part of a squad, platoon, company, or battalion. A warrior is part of a unit who knows those whom he fights with side by side. A warrior is also aware that he or she is part of a large component opposed to the enemy.
And for you and me, praying like this is one of the most powerful weapons of force that we could ever employ.
One of the ways to “pray without ceasing” is to have in our hearts and minds as many things or people to pray for as possible. One of the benefits of praying with the help and anointing of the Holy Spirit is that the Holy Spirit will reveal not only whom to pray for, but what to pray for.
Prayer to put on the armor
Now let me give you an example of how to wear the armor. During my prayer time, I often insert this prayer.
“Father, today I put of the full armor of God, and put on the breastplate of righteousness, (2 Corinthians 5:21), I have my loins girded about with truth, that is Your truth is so deep in my that I will be able to respond with truth and integrity to everyone and everything. My feet wear the Gospel of Peace, so that I might proclaim to all, ‘Our God Reigns.’ I take the shield of faith that I might quench every fiery dart of the enemy, and pick up the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. For all Your promises are yes and amen, in Jesus. Today I overcome Satan by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of my testimony, and by not loving my life unto the death. I thank You again for making it possible for me to receive the helmet of salvation, which will protect my thoughts. And I set my heart to pray in the Spirit for all.”
There you have it saints.
Blessings and prayers,
Pastor Gene
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