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Ephesians 6:17(a)

“The Helmet of Salvation…”

Helmet of Salvation…•Before we moved, Missouri passed a ‘no-helmet law’ for motorcycles•Riders who are dumb enough to go ‘helmet-less’ think they are invincible•I think, they’re just plain stupid

Take the Helmet…•Helmets, too, have come a long way in 2000 years of technology•In Paul’s day, it was a leather cap embedded with pieces of metal, designed to withstand a crushing blow to the head•Paul obviously referring to protection of mind•Satan knows the value of footholds in thought

“14…HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Ephesians 6:14-17, NASB

“14…HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15 and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; 16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Ephesians 6:14-17, NASB

A. Helmet of Salvation…•Why wear a ‘Hemet of Salvation’ for spiritual warfare, when I’m already saved?•Yes, John 10:29 says can’t lose it, but…•2 things to remember…

A. Helmet of Salvation…•2 things to remember…1. ‘Salvation’ in Greek: three tenses…•Past- Jesus saved us from our sins– Justification•Present– H.S. saves us from sin on a daily basis– Sanctification•Future– saved from future Judgement-- Glorification

A. Helmet of Salvation…1. ‘Salvation’ in Greek: three tenses2. Proof of ‘True Conversion’ is in how we live out our

lives to the end•Many people think they will go to Heaven because they are “basically good” people•This is a godless life, no different than Atheists•Same for so-called Christians who think the Bible is not absolute and live how they feel

B. Protecting the Mind (Heart)…•After passing through the flaming arrow barrage, hand-to-hand combat•Spiritually it’s the same– first the arrows of worldly temptations, discouragement, condemnation, deceptions, etc.•Then the ungodly thoughts crush our minds– with the Helmet we can fight thru the H.S.– without, we give in first

21 “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court…”

Matthew 5:21-22(a), NASB

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY’; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”

Matthew 5:27-28(a),

NASB

B. Protecting the Mind (Heart)…•We DO HAVE a choice; to give in to temptation, or fight it off with the H.S.•I know I’m guilty here, you?•Murder in my heart for politicians•As far as God is concerned, hatred towards someone, or lust after a particular person; makes us guilty

C. Protecting the Mind (Spirit)…•God wants to protect our minds and thoughts from more than bad acts, but by no longer desiring and/or thinking about ungodly things•So how does “wearing” the Helmet of Salvation help me control my thoughts?

C. Protecting the Mind (Spirit)…•When I wear the Helmet of Salvation, I consciously do not entertain thoughts that are sinful or spiritually harmful•No, I can’t stop them from happening, but I CAN stop them from moving in and making a home in my mind

Still sounding a little vague?•Let me help– the Apostle John broke this down for us into 3 different categories of temptation•1 John 2:16 says, “For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life --is not of the Father but is of the world.”

3 Categories of Temptation1. Lust of the Eyes—mental temptation•What we see, think about, fantasize over– most sin begins here (sight to mind)•We can’t control the world, but we can control what we are exposed to: TV, movies, books, magazine articles, the music we listen to… (HELMET!!)

“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…”

2 Corinthians 10:5, NASB

3 Categories of Temptation1. Lust of the Eyes—mental temptation2. Lust of the Flesh– usually follows the eyes•Thoughts now translated to actions– giving in to the impulse of temptation•Kind of like dogs do; hunger, bathroom, destruction--they give in to impulse•Unfortunately, like some “believers”

3 Categories of Temptation1. Lust of the Eyes—mental temptation2. Lust of the Flesh– usually follows the eyes3. Pride of Life– much more subtle•These people don’t indulge the flesh in “sin”•Good families, no drinking, no gambling, hard working, pursuing excellence, religious even•Egotism and Pride are just as deceptive as 1&2!

3 Categories of Temptation•Eve fell to all three of these in her first recorded sin in the garden…

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.”

Genesis 3:6, NASB

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.”

Genesis 3:6, NASB

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.”

Genesis 3:6, NASB

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.”

Genesis 3:6, NASB

3 Categories of Temptation•Eve fell to all three of these in her first recorded sin in the garden…•Lust of the Flesh•Lust of the Eyes•Pride of Life•The Enemy will hit us in these areas over and over again

D. We need a godly replacement•It is not good enough, as Believers, to have ungodly thoughts in our hearts and in our minds, Matthew 12:43-45

43 “Now when the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came’; and when it comes, it finds it unoccupied, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first. That is the way it will also be with this evil generation.” Matthew 12:43-45, NASB

D. We need a godly replacement•It is not good enough, as Believers, to have ungodly thoughts in our hearts and in our minds, Matthew 12:43-45•We must replace ungodly thought with God-approved thoughts, Philippians 4:8

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”

Philippians 4:8, NASB

D. We need a godly replacement•It is not good enough, as Believers, to have ungodly thoughts in our hearts and in our minds, Matthew 12:43-45•We must replace ungodly thought with God-approved thoughts, Philippians 4:8•Be careful what you allow into your thoughts and mind– Wear your Helmet!!

Take Home!1. We can’t control the

length of our lives, but we can control its depth

2. Keep your Helmet of Salvation on! Otherwise, Satan has an easy means of attack, by crushing your mind in temptation!!