Don't Forget Your Helmet!

source: biblecartoons.co.uk

    I rode my bike as a child all over our small town without a helmet.  Up hills, down hills, speeding around curves, across streets.... everywhere!  I was totally oblivious to the potential dangers I was opening myself up for.  Today, I wouldn't think of letting my kids ride their bikes in those same areas without a helmet.      We could list a multitude of sporting events that require head protection. We have laws that require helmets while riding on motorcycles or ATVs.  Construction zones often have areas that require a hard hat.       What's the big deal with helmets? Of course, we know the reason!  The head is important!  The head houses our brain.  Our brain is the communication center for the rest of the body.  Protecting our body with iron-clad armor is useless if our head is left open to attack. One blow to the head has the potential to permanently disable us or even cause death. Obviously, the head requires protection!

    The very last piece of armor that a Roman soldier would put in place before grabbing his sword is the helmet.  Paul tells the Ephesians (and us):

        Take the helmet of salvation... Ephesians 6:17a, NIV

Do we need to be saved from eternal separation from God daily? No. John 3:15-16 tells us that we are given eternal life when we believe in Jesus. "Eternal" is not temporary. We can be confident that our eternal salvation is secure.  Romans 8:38-39 gives us beautiful assurance on this point: 

 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

    As we grab our helmet of salvation daily we are placing protection over our mind which controls our entire body.  Keeping our minds protected from the attacks of doubt and sin leads to a clearer understanding of who we are and what we are doing.  The attacker knows that if he can get inside our minds, he can disable us and gain control of our thoughts and actions.  That is why it is crucial to protect our minds.  II Corinthians 10:5 explains how putting on the helmet of salvation impacts our minds:  

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…”

 Wow.  Every thought? How on earth can we prevent unholy thoughts from creeping in?  Philippians 2:5 says we are to have the mind of Christ. How is that possible?  

    Romans 12:1-2 tells us we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  When we fill our mind with the Word of God, the seeds of doubt, bitterness, and anger have no room to grow.  As we grow in the knowledge of our Savior, we grow more like Him.  This controls our attitudes and our actions.  Even in our thought life, Christ has already conquered the power of the devil!  Our job is to allow Christ to have complete control of our minds and bodies and to put on our protection against Satan's attacks.  These actions on our part strengthen both our relationship with our Savior and our witness to a lost and dying world. 

    So don't forget to protect your mind as you walk into the battle each day!  Rest in the protection that your salvation brings.  Immerse yourself in the Word of God.  Allow Scripture to renew your mind and be the controlling influence over your actions.

    Blessings to you!  My prayer this week is that as we grow together in the knowledge of our Savior, we will be mighty warriors in the Army of God.  We cannot even imagine the impact on this world of a church body, unified under the banner of Christ, working together to encourage and build each other up in the grace of our Lord!

💓Heather Sparks💓