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The Antidote for Anxiety and Depression: Trust in Abba Father’s Care – Pt 37

Helmet of Salvation – The Mind’s Protection

And take the helmet of salvation…

– Ephesians 6:17

One of the contributing factors to my struggle with anxiety and depression was physical ill health. It will take many pages for me to share the health challenges that I have experienced so I wouldn’t go into details. However, I would like to emphasize that the emotional and physical pain I experienced were so severe that often times I thought that I wasn’t going to make it. Between being physically ill and the suicidal attempts I thought that I would have been dead a long time ago. As a believer in Christ, I knew that Jesus died so that I can be healed but I didn’t know how to receive my healing. I had been prayed for by many over the years but still suffered relentlessly. I knew about salvation but I didn’t have the revelation of how to apply my salvation for my healing.  

The Roman soldier’s helmet was made either of brass or some other type of metal, it was especially fitted to the shape of the soldier’s head, thus protecting the head from receiving a mortal wound from an arrow, a sword, or an ax. It was a fascinating and flamboyant piece of armour, very ornate and intricate. Highly decorated with all kinds of engravings and etchings, the helmet looked more like a beautiful piece of artwork than a simple piece of metal formed to fit the head of a soldier. The decorations on the Roman soldier’s helmet depicted pastoral farm scenes, complete with all kinds of animals and fruits as well as a huge plume of brightly coloured feathers or horse hair stood straight up from the top of the helmet (Renner, 2003).

Interestedly, a soldier wearing a helmet is easily noticed – he can’t be missed. This helmet was not simply a beautiful piece of weaponry tightly wrapped about his head but a defensive weapon designed to save a man’s head. If a soldier wasn’t wearing his helmet, he was endangered as he would surely lose his head to his enemies’ battle-ax.

The Apostle Paul declares in Ephesians 6:17, the good news that God has provided every believer with “the helmet of salvation” to protect his mind from the mental assaults of the enemy.

The word “helmet” is derived from the Greek word perkephalaia, which is a compound of the words peri and kephale. The word peri means around, and the word kephale is the Greek word for the head. When these two words are compounded together the word perkephalaia means a piece of armour that fits very tightly around the head (Renner, 2003).

The Holy Spirit compared salvation to the Roman soldier’s helmet because your salvation is the most gorgeous, most intricate, most elaborate, most ornate gift God ever gave to you! (Renner, 2003)

This marvellous gift is described by the Apostle Paul as the “helmet of salvation”, as he compared salvation with these flamboyant helmets worn on the head of the Roman soldiers that made them noticeable. In essence, what the Apostle Paul expresses is very important, that is, once you confidently wear your salvation as a helmet tightly wrapped about your head, this piece of defensive weapon would protect your mind against the mental attacks of your enemy. Furthermore, attired in the helmet of salvation you will be confidently assured of and walk in the powerful reality of all that your salvation package entails, and a noticeable person.  

I believe that in order for you to confidently dress in the helmet of salvation you must have a full knowledge of salvation. What is included in your salvation package? I wouldn’t want you to be among the people of God who are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). Some people’s understanding of salvation is the forgiveness of sins and being saved from going to hell. While that is included in the salvation package, that’s not all to salvation.

In the New Testament the Greek word sozo is translated save or saved, whole, healed, preserve, well.

However, the three main different uses are: to save from certain death, to be healed, and salvation or getting born again.

Therefore, included in the redemption or salvation package (benefits purchased by the blood of Jesus) are:

  • Forgiveness of sins [being saved from sin and the consequence of sin]: John 3:16; Romans 10:13; Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 2:24. Forgiveness of sins means that not only are we saved from perishing but we also have eternal life (John 3:15), which is to know God (John 17:3). Knowing God speaks of intimate relationship. That which was perfect in the Garden of Eden but was lost because of man’s disobedience to God. And for which Jesus came. (Matthew 18:11; Luke 19:10)
  • Fullness of the Holy Spirit: John 14:17-17; John 16:7, 13. Having the fullness of the Holy Spirit means that we have power: Acts 1: 4-5; Acts 1:8
  • Healing: Isaiah 53:5; I Peter 2:24
  • Deliverance: Luke 4:18; 1 John 4:4
  • Wholeness (Soundness of body, soul and spirit): Isaiah 53:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:23
  • Prosperity (Provision of needs): 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 4:19
  • Security: Colossians 3:3; Psalm 91

It is not enough to have the knowledge of what salvation entails but you must receive the whole package. It is a choice. The same way you believe in the power of God to save you from sin and its consequences and to give you eternal life, you must chose to believe in His very power to:

  • give you His Holy Spirit
  • heal you from sicknesses and diseases
  • deliver you from bondages and demonic strongholds
  • make you whole by giving us His peace
  • prosper you by providing all our needs
  • protect you from all harm and danger

All of these are already atoned for by the blood of Jesus on the cross of Calvary. You only need to believe that they are done and receive them by faith.

God bless you!

MY PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father I worship You for it’s the only reason I live. I thank You for giving Jesus to die on Calvary to redeem me back to Yourself. Jesus I look to You today for You are my salvation. I declare that I will continually, confidently wear my salvation as a helmet tightly wrapped about my head and that this piece of defensive weapon protects my mind against the mental assaults of my adversaries. I declare that attired in the helmet of salvation I will be confidently assured of and walk in the powerful reality of all that my salvation package entails, and I am a noticeable person. I pray this by faith in Jesus’ name with thanksgiving. Amen!