Our Whole Armor, 6of9

~ Helmet of Salvation ~

“And take the helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17a). 

The primary function of any helmet is to protect the head.  The Christian warrior must protect his thinking. 

“Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’” (John 8:31-32). Protection of the head is not only important physically but of crucial importance mentally. 

We are to study our model—Jesus Christ—who is “The Way, The Truth, and The Life” (John 14:6).  “For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head” (Isaiah 59:17).  We are to learn Christ who is Truth and defend and model the truth (2 Corinthians 10:5). 

Our adversary, Satan, is sneaky in the area of our thinking.  He wants our thoughts to drift just a little from the truth.  Once a minor deviation occurs, the path is downward unless we deliberately take control of our minds.  That is why we are told, “Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

We cannot survive this war without protecting our heads.  The helmet of salvation provides security.  Salvation is a big term which includes the past (I was saved by accepting Christ as Savior), the present (I am being saved), and the future (I will be saved for eternity).  The only way to successfully win the battles of the present is by committing ourselves to regular time in the Word of God, prayer, and submitting our wills to His will.  This all begins and is maintained in the head which will be protected by the helmet of salvation if we regularly put it on. 

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, niv). 

don’t miss this  ~  (1)  Wars, while often thought of as physical, are usually won by superior thinking.   The greatest battle field in Biblical times and now is in the mind.  Our task is to think like Christ would think.  Ask yourself constantly, “What would Christ think in this situation?”  (2) The key purpose of a helmet is to protect your head—your thinking.  We are to become more and more like our Savior until we think like He thinks.  “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).  

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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Our Whole Armor, 5of9

~ Shield of Faith ~

“Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one” (Ephesians 6:16).  

The shield of faith has the core concept of trust in God and in Him alone.  “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).  A shield in warfare of that day was probably the single most important defensive aspect of armor.  It deflected the darts, arrows, spears, and swords of the enemy.  Our modern concept of armor is that of defensive protection; for example, think of “armored vehicles.”  In spiritual warfare we have many deadly weapons hurled at us—two of the greatest are doubt and erosion of our confidence in our Savior. 

When an army marches together or forms a solid line, the combined shields are much more effective than when a single soldier stands alone.  This is illustrative of the need for believers to meet together for strength.  The strength of the total is far more than the sum of the individuals. 

While shields are primarily defensive, they certainly provide confidence that allows us to move forward with an offensive thrust.  We have faith in the One who is “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).  

When we put on the shield of faith, we are declaring our trust in the One who created us and adopted us into His family and into His army.  We are trusting Him for protection and safety.  “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

don’t miss this  ~  (1) You have been given armor that covers you from head to foot.  Satan’s attacks will not be effective against you as long as you keep all your armor in place.  (2) The most important aspect of faith is to remember the focus and value lies not in your exercising faith but in the One in whom you place your faith.  “Faith comes from hearing and hearing from the Word of God” (Romans 10:17).  The more you know the written Word and the living Word, the greater faith you will have.  How much time have you spent in the written Word this past week?  How much time have you spent on your knees this past week?  Are you fully trusting your life to the One who created you and redeemed you?  Do you have complete faith (confidence) in all the promises of God? 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

Christ—Jehovah, 5of9

~ The Title “Jehovah-Shalom” ~

Jesus said, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). 

There are quite a number of Jehovah titles.  This series will focus on seven Jehovah titles which embrace the fullness of Jesus Christ for His people.  These titles include the completeness of Jehovah’s name as it is manifested in the life of Jesus Christ for His people.  These titles show how the Messiah completely meets His people’s need from their guilt to their future glory. 

Jehovah-Shalom means “the Lord is peace,” “The Lord is our peace,” or “God my peace.”

“Then the Lord said to him [Gideon], ‘Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die.’  So Gideon built an altar there to the Lord, and called it The-Lord-Is-Peace.  To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites” (Judges 6:23-24). 

Jehovah is in fact the source of all true peace.  Throughout the New Testament we find that peace is from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ.  True peace is only from having one’s sins paid for by the blood of Christ.  Jesus Christ is Jehovah-Shalom. 

Context  ~  The Biblical account of the life of Gideon is one of the most interesting stories in Scripture.  With regard to Jehovah-Shalom we recognize that Gideon lived in a time of great difficulty when there seemed to be no peace to be found.  This name of Jehovah revealed directly to Gideon illustrates that regardless of our circumstances or the difficulties we are facing, our one source of ever-available peace is God Himself. 

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).