February 10 2026

Tuesday February 10

The Helmet of Salvation

Ephesians 6:17

“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Today we’re continuing in Ephesians chapter 6, where the Apostle Paul is teaching believers how to stand strong in spiritual warfare. And our verse today is Ephesians 6:17: “And take the helmet of salvation…” Now Paul says more in this verse—he also mentions the sword of the Spirit—but today I want to focus only on this one piece of armor: The helmet of salvation. Because if there is one place Satan loves to attack, it is the believer’s mind. And if there is one thing God wants to protect, strengthen, and stabilize in the Christian life, it is the mind.

First, the Helmet Protects the Most Vulnerable Place: The Mind

Let me begin with something very simple. A soldier can take a wound in the arm and still fight. He can take a wound in the leg and still move. But a blow to the head can be fatal. That’s why Roman soldiers would never enter battle without a helmet. We have read that these helmets were sometimes made of thick leather, and other times heavy metal, and they often had pieces that protected the cheeks and face. In other words, this was not decorative. It was essential for their protection in the battle.

We need to remember that the head is the center of our intellectual life, the seat of thought, reason, and understanding. So Paul is telling us that if Satan can get control of your thinking, he can influence your living. That is why the battle for the Christian is usually a battle for the mind. I will never forget that in my early years as pastor I had an entire message called “The Battle for the Mind.” Right after that a book came out—I believe by Tim LaHaye—called “The Battle for the Mind”. Kiddingly, I would say, I think he got it from me. The real battle is right there in your thinking.

Second, Satan Attacks the Mind Because That’s Where He Has Always Worked

You might remember going back to Genesis chapter 3. That is where Satan attacked Eve—through her mind. That is what God is speaking to us about. He did not begin by telling her to commit a gross sin. He began by planting a thought. What was that thought? “Has God indeed said?” The moment Eve began questioning the Word of God, her mind became the battlefield. Paul even warns Christians that Satan still works the same way in 2 Corinthians 11:3: “But I fear lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted.” That is his strategy. Satan’s first move is almost always to distort the truth, to question God’s goodness, to twist the Scripture, and to weaken confidence in what God has said. When that happens, the believer becomes spiritually vulnerable.

Third, The Helmet of Salvation Is Not About Getting Saved Again.

Now we need to be very clear about something. Paul is writing to believers. He’s not giving an evangelistic invitation. He’s telling Christians how to stand firm. So when Paul says, “take the helmet of salvation,” he is not saying, “get saved again.” You don’t put on the helmet by repeating a prayer. You don’t put on the helmet by re-doing your conversion. Only saved people can wear God’s armor. The armor is not for people outside Christ. The armor is for believers who are already in the fight. So what does Paul mean?

Fourth, The Helmet of Salvation Is Assurance and Hope—The Confidence That You Belong to Christ

My friend, Satan’s blows are aimed at our security. The two sharp edges of Satan’s sword are discouragement and doubt. You can be assured he is going to use them. I’ll never forget what Dr. Falwell said many times during my years at Lynchburg Baptist College (today Liberty University): He said, “Satan favorite tool to keep the Christian down is the tool of discouragement. God cannot use a discouraged Christian.” We will be looking more about the “helmet of salvation” over the next few days.

God bless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.