The Helmet of Salvation

A lot of people make a big deal about guardian angels who supposedly fly around watching over us. Some believe we each have one assigned to us, to guard us. It makes them feel better to think that they have something continually with them to watch over them. Others turn to more “practical” methods of guardianship, from actual body guards, to voodoo, to special charm bracelets. We are all aware that there are things, forces from which we need to be protected. We feel strongly the need to guard ourselves and those we love, but one of the best tools we have for that is the helmet of salvation.

Ephesians 6:17 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

And take the helmet of salvation

A helmet is obviously something which guards the head against trauma and physical injury. The helmet of salvation literally guards our hearts or souls against satans attacks.

Philippians 4:6-7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

With salvation comes peace. Part of this is the peace of being reconciled to God. We cannot have that if we are not saved (because we aren’t reconciled). The other part is the trust in God which comes with salvation. When we give our lives to Him, we are entrusting Him with everything, literally giving our lives over to Him. Because of that, we no longer have to worry about anything because the God of the universe not only has our backs but He has everything else too. That peace guards us against the fear and worry satan uses to keep us crippled and weak.

1 Corinthians 10:13 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

Salvation also guards our hearts or souls by keeping us from sin. Before salvation, we had not much choice. We had not the power to refuse sin and temptation, but with salvation comes the power to resist, to stay on the right path, to keep us clean. The key is that we have to use it, we have to “wear” it in order for it to help us. If we don’t rely on our salvation, if we don’t walk in it, it won’t help us.

So why is guarding our hearts or souls so important?

Proverbs 4:23 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For from it flow the springs of life.

Like our physical brains, our spiritual hearts are the basis of our lives. We cannot have freedom, we cannot have abundant life, if our hearts are pierced with worry, fear, doubt or sin. Those will keep us entangled, ensnared in the enemy’s webs so that we cannot function as we should. We will remain wounded and crippled, possibly debilitated or even spiritually dead.

We must take up salvation. We must walk in it. We must seek it to guard our hearts and souls.

Do you wear salvation on a daily basis?