Preaching About the Helmet of Salvation

There’s one more defensive weapon in our series of posts on the Armor of God. If you want to review, here’s the first post in this series within the larger series on preaching about spiritual warfare. In this post we look at the last of the defensive weapons as we consider preaching about the helmet of salvation to your people.

Protecting the Brain

I use a bicycle helmet when I ride my bike. If you’re interested in exploring the reasons for wearing a helmet, here is a website that look at all the statistics. The reason I wear a helmet is simple: bike helmets help prevent injuries to the brain. Studies have shown that:

helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 45% to 85%.
serious head injury risk is reduced by 69%.
62% of cyclists killed in 2019 were not wearing helmets.

In a very similar way, the Roman soldier’s helmet protected one of the most important parts of the human body: the brain. The brain is where thought happens. And so, an elaborate helmet was provided to protect the thinking process.

Facts for Preaching About the Helmet

Note this picture of a Roman soldier’s helmet. The metal helmet protected the top of the head. Extensions protected the neck and the cheeks.

The enemy would attack the head of the soldier in several ways. Arrow attacks could kill immediately if there was a direct hit on the top of the head. A sword strike could either kill or disable a soldier, taking him out of the battle.

One of the primary means of attack on the head was with the Broad Sword. This kind of sword was long about four feet long. With two hands the enemy would try to bring the weight of this sword down onto the head of the Roman soldier. The helmet caused such a blow to glance off. Working with the shield, the Roman soldier would knock such a blow aside, and an opening to strike the enemy with his sword.

Preaching About A Spiritual Helmet

Of course, when Paul was writing about this, he was giving us a metaphor. Our thought processes need protection. So, Paul says that we need to put on a the helmet of salvation. In other words, the reality of the fact that God saved us by grace is to protect our thought processes when the enemy attacks. Below are some situations where the helmet of salvation will help us.

When Doubts Arise

I don’t think there is a believer in the world who never has doubts. At those moments we need to review the basics of our life and faith. We are received by a gracious and merciful God, whose love for us is greater than anything. Preaching about the helmet of salvation can help people when doubts arise.

When the World Presses In

The apostle Paul reflected on the power of the world’s thought processes in Romans 12:11-3:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

A while ago I decided to build a patio. I went to Home Depot and found that I could buy a pattern that would allow me to pour concrete into the mold. When it dried, I would have a series of patio blocks. See the picture for understanding.

Paul says that the world around us exerts pressure to try to force us into the predominant thought processes. It’s an attack on our brain.

What is the pattern of this world? If you want to study this more fully, here is a link to several commentaries on this verse. Here are some words that will help you as you prepare for preaching on the helmet of salvation to your people:

Secularism:. The only thing that matters is there here and now.

Humanism: Don’t look for meaning in life outside of yourself.

Relativism: There are no absolute truths.

Materialism: The more you have the happier you’ll be.

Renewal of the Mind protected by the Helmet of Salvation

Paul says that instead of being conformed, or pressured into the world’s way of thinking, we are to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2). Our focus is on learning the ways and life of God.

Conclusion

Preaching about the helmet of salvation will help your people. Preach it!

November 30, 2023/by Bruce Ballast