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The Helmet of Salvation Ephesians 6:17
Paul’s Use of Figures Agricultural (plant, water, fruit, etc.), building (foundation, cornerstone, temple, house, etc.), human body (head, body, members, joints, etc.), athlete (run, race, box, games, crown, etc.)… Soldier
The Roman Soldier Present in the empire (1 Cor. 9:7) Known personally by Paul (Acts 28:16) Used to teach us lessons about fighting the devil (Eph. 6:10-18)
The Christian Is A Soldier 1. “Soldier” (Phil. 2:25; 2 Tim. 2:3-4; Phile. 2) 2. “Fight” (1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7) 3. “War” and “warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18) 4. “Weapons” (2 Cor. 10:3-4) 5. “Armor” (Rom. 13:12; 2 Cor. 6:7; Eph. 6:11, 13)
The Whole Armor of God Strength comes from being “in the Lord” and “his might” (v. 10) The battle is spiritual in nature (v. 11-12) The day is evil (v. 13) A stand can be taken (v. 11, 13, 14)
The Whole Armor of God The armor centers around God’s word, not the social or recreational (v. 14-17) The armor is both defensive / protective (girdle, breastplate, shield, helmet) and offensive / deadly (shoes, sword) Prayer and vigilance must be added (v. 18)
The Helmet of Salvation Paul uses the same language found in Isaiah 59:17 Paul says the same thing in 1 Thess. 5:8
The Helmet of Salvation Past salvation protects from the fatal blow of sin (Lk. 1:77; Acts 4:12) Present salvation protects from the fatal blow of worldliness (2 Cor. 7:10; Phil. 2:12; 1 Pet. 2:2) Future (hope) salvation protects from fatal blow of apostasy (1 Thess. 5:8-9; 2 Tim. 2:10; Heb. 9:28; 1 Pet. 1:5, 9)
Protect Your Mind Open your mind (Lk. 24:45) Unify your mind (1 Cor. 1:10) Captivate your mind (2 Cor. 10:5) Renew your mind (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:23) Guard your mind (Phil. 4:7)
The Whole Armor of God Put off the devil before putting on God (Rom. 13:12) The point of attack (battle ground) is the mind (2 Cor. 10:3-6) Put on God’s armor each day (Eph. 6:10-18) Remember, you have “fellow-soldiers” in battle (Eph. 2:25; Philemon 2)
The Whole Armor of God Don’t get entangled in the world (2 Tim. 2:3-4) Remember, the fight is a “good fight” (1 Tim. 6:12; 2 Tim. 4:7) and the war is a “good warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18) Now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2)!