Armor of God: Helmet of Salvation and the Sword of the Spirit

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle, you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Ephesians 6:10-16 (NLT)

 

We have been talking about God’s armor and discovering all the weapons at our disposal from God’s eternal arsenal: 

of Truth

The of God’s Righteousness

from the Peace of the Gospel

of Faith

 

Today, we are going to apply the final two pieces of God’s Armor. Paul instructs us in the use of the armor in Ephesians 6:17.

 

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17 (NLT)

 

In Roman times, helmets were crafted two ways: solid cast metal or leather with patches of metal.

 

The helmet would protect the soldier if the enemy brought down one of their giant broadswords upon the head of the warrior…the helmet would take the brunt of the attack, yet the soldier would be saved. The blows would glance off the rounded sides of the helmet so the attacker never got leverage against the head of the soldier.

 

Did Paul tell us to take up all this armor, and THEN start a lifelong relationship with God? No…but we do renew our relational covenant daily…

 

Salvation is both an event and a process: we are saved in our present, from our past, and into our future!

 

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So, I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NLT)

We are saved from our past: (an event in our lives)

 

In the moment we confess Jesus as the Lord of our lives, our debt of sin is paid!

We are made right with God. 

We are made whole and have a divine relationship with our Creator God!

 

So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus. Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So, use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Romans 6:11-14 (NLT)

 

Here we can understand the event and the process: 

The moment of launching into our relationship with God is the moment or event. (I am saved)

Becoming more like Christ every day and growing in our faith. (I am being saved)

 

We are saved in our present: (a process in our lives)

 

Paul describes sin as a slave master or a king who is dethroned by Christ’s sacrifice.

We are free from the control of sin; we do not have to give in to sin. We have power over sin!

Now we are set apart to God and live righteous and holy.

 

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. Romans 8:18 (NLT)

 

We have another aspect of salvation to expect: 

One day, we will be freed from the very presence of sin! 

No more sin, no more death, no more pain! 

When God makes all things new!

 

We are saved in our future: (a promise in our lives)

 

is when we all receive salvation for our bodies and souls…when we cross the finishing line and make it to heaven eternal. (Any place with God)

 

The helmet of Salvation provides us:

 

Strength for Today: Knowing we have Jesus and He has us!

 

But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (NLT)

 

Now, we have even more hope…a reason to never give up…

 

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9 (NLT)

 

: We are fighting for a bright and beautiful future WITH God!

 

Eternity is a fuel that will not run dry…a vision for the future and a purpose for every day!

 

It is important to know this armor is for endurance, not escape! We will go through difficult things with God and His armor!

 

And we are going to need all our strength to fight this fight…because our enemy is real and smart and tactical. The devil even had the nerve to come at Christ!

 

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.

 

During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” 

 

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

 

Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands, so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

 

Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”

 

Next, the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

 

“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”

 

Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. Matthew 4:1-11 (NLT)

 

While the Holy Spirit led Jesus out to a place where the devil would tempt Him, it is important to note the Holy Spirit did not tempt Jesus…the devil did that!

 

God brings us through tests: to us!

 

The enemy attacks us with temptations: to us!

 

How do we respond to the temptations? We have the greatest example here: !

 

There were three big temptations the devil used against the Messiah and Jesus beat them down…

 

The Temptation to Feel

 

Jesus has just gone 40 days/nights without food, and He’s HUNGRY! 

I know after about 4 hours, I’m Hangry!

 

It’s amazing how the enemy likes to bring these temptations when we are right on the doorstep of huge victories…if you’ll just hold on like Jesus, triumph is marching your way!

 

The enemy wanted to tempt Jesus: The Sin of Pleasure is more than sex…it all starts with a sense of entitlement.

 

Hey! You are working these long hours / taking one for the team/you deserve this / you’ve earned this / you are entitled to this / to feel good…

 

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days, there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NLT)

 

Sometimes people say to “follow your heart,” in this case…don’t do that! The heart is deceitfully wicked! No Family, just do the RIGHT THING!

 

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 (NLT)

 

When we align our lives with the teaching of the word of God, we will find ourselves pleasing God and living for eternal joy instead of pleasure 24/7. On what do your days consist? ME or HE?

 

The Temptation to Have

 

The devil knew how much Jesus loved the city of Jerusalem. He leads Him to the pinnacle of the Temple to “demonstrate His authority” and take ownership of the church (the wrong way)

Has the enemy ever showed your something before its’ time? Jewels, Tech, Golf Club, Real Estate…man we want it, but it’s just not time? This is temptation!

 

The enemy wanted to tempt Jesus: The Sin of

 

Greed will suffocate your character. There’s never a time when it’s enough!

 

Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. Ecclesiastes 1:8 (NLT)

 

We could have a house “full of toys” but it’s not enough for us…how do we contend with this temptation?

 

Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’” Romans 4:7 (NLT)

 

Jesus reminds us not to put God’s plans for us to the test. To trust in the Lord who will bring all good things to us at the right time as long as we keep Him first!

 

Why do we trust Him with our souls but not our commodities? Trust in the Lord! Trust Him in everything!

 

Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.” Matthew 4:8-9 (NLT)

 

The Temptation to

 

Satan knew who Jesus was…he said “If you are the son of God” two times already. Now he’s giving fame and honor a shot.

 

The enemy wanted to tempt Jesus: The Sin of

 

Everyone wants to be admired and desired.

To be respected, and acknowledged.

We want to be recognized…see my potential? Pick me!

 

But those desires can turn into sinful fantasies of position: to aspire to something before you are ready for it!

 

If I were the pastor…

If I were preaching up there…

I’m better than her…

They should have me do that…

 

Funny…the devil offered Jesus what Christ already owned and created…it just wasn’t time for Christ to take possession. He had to pay the price for our sins first…and from then on, Jesus wouldn’t promote Himself…we would do that!

 

There is almost always a period of suffering and testing before we are ready for the next step.

It’s much harder to rebuild than to leave and start over! Jesus encourages us to endure:

 

“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’” Matthew 4:10 (NLT)

 

Again, Jesus quotes from Deuteronomy using scriptures in context and toward that specific temptation. He was surgical with His responses!

 

Knowing the word of God is part of becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus. We must become mature…

 

Spiritual maturity is knowing the word and living it!

 

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 (NLT)

 

Study the Word, Memorize the Word, Pray the Word, Write the Word, Quote the Word, Sing the Word, Live the Word!

 

The word is the antidote to the sins of pleasure, possession, and position!

 

Jesus demonstrated His maturity by living the Word (He IS the Word): How do we do it?

 

1.

 

I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands. Psalm 119:60 (NLT)

 

Do the right thing first, and do not delay one moment. Start now!

 

When we fail, repent and turn NOW!

 

2.

 

You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35b (NLT)

 

Give out of your abundance, be free with your generosity!

• Be generous with (kindness)
• Be generous with your (family, community)
• Be generous with your (circle groups, serve teams)
• Be generous with your (tithe: put God first)

 

If we sow sparingly we will reap sparingly…trust the word!

 

3.

 

The antidote to pride is .

 

And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5 (NLT) 

 

To humble ourselves simply means to make yourself low. It’s not putting yourself down or thinking yourself lowly…but to think more of others and live your life to serve others.

 

Pride is the beginning of the downfall of us all!

 

Stay humble and hungry for more of God (or are you already full…of yourself?)

 

Humility isn’t denying our strengths, it’s just being honest about our weaknesses!

 

Give God all the glory! Seek none for yourself…you weren’t created to receive praise!

 

When Jesus said, 

 

“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say,

‘You must worship the Lord your God
    and serve only him.’”

 

Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. Matthew 4:10-11 (NLT)

 

When the word of God is used against the enemy of your soul, that punk devil will flee and you will step into God’s care. He will help us! 

 

We must use our helmet and sword to win our battle!