Ephesians 6:17 - How Do You Put on the Helmet of Salvation?

Put on thehelmet of salvation. It's very important that we understand that withoutsalvation, man cannot reach correct conclusions about spiritual truth.  Matterof fact, we can put it very plainly this way. The Christian who does not feedhis mind on scripture is a Christian who will be vulnerable to deception. But aChristian who is grounded in the Word of God will not easily be led astray.Also remember putting on the helmet of salvation is not something that'spassive. It's active. Be aware of that “let go and let God” thinkingmindset. In other words, the idea that spiritual victory comes throughpassivity. It does not. Paul never said, "Sit back and watch Godfight." No, Paul says in these scriptures, "Be strong, put on,stand, take up, resist, take the helmet." These are action words.Action words. The Christian life is not a couch. It's a battlefield. Wearingthe helmet means I actively remind myself of what God has promised. I activelyreject the lies of the devil. I actively preach truth to my own soul. Iactively renew my mind day by day through the Word of God. I couldn't wait toget to this point today as I've been thinking about it all day yesterday afterthat devotional. That is, “how do you put on the helmet of salvation”?How do you actually put it on day by day to be able to make sure your mind isfilled with the thoughts of God? In other words, you first remind yourself whatsalvation has done for you. You're justified. You're being sanctified. You willbe glorified. Secondly,you put it on by resisting discouragement. When Satan says, "Look at yourfailures," you answer, "Yes, but Christ paid for my sin." Third,you put it on by rejecting doubt. When Satan says, "God won't keepyou," you answer. Jesus said, "No one can snatch you out of Myhand." Then fourth, you put it on by renewing your mind day by day. Youdon't renew your mind by scrolling endlessly on social media. You renew yourmind by scripture, by prayer, and by worship. Hereis one of the practical ways that I have found to put on the helmet ofsalvation every day. I did it this morning. I always, before I get out of bed,either while I'm lying there or my feet are about to touch the floor, I gothrough this little chorus I learned as a child. “Thank you, Lord, forsaving my soul. Thank you, Lord, for making me whole. Thank you, Lord, forgiving me thy salvation so rich and free”. Oh, that's one way I do it. ThenI also always quote the Lord's prayer. I won't go through it all, but everymorning without fail, as I’m waking and getting up, I pray: “Oh Lord, howawesome is Your name. This day, give me my daily bread that I need to live foryou. Keep me from temptation….” I go through the entire Lord's prayer. Iencourage you to do the same. Thenlastly, we realize putting on the helmet of salvation keeps us always lookingforward. It gives us that future hope, “the hope of our salvation”.Because if you lose hope of what's ahead, you lose strength for what's in thepresent. So I would encourage you to look in Romans 8:1-10, where we find thatthe carnal mind is enmity against God. But the spiritual mind can stand withGod's truth against those fiery darts. We put on that helmet by putting on amind that stayed on God. Isaiah 26:3 says: “You will keep him in perfectpeace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” Today,what has the devil been using to discourage you? Has it been discouragement?Has it been through doubt? Has it been through a constant voice ofcondemnation? Then please remember: “That there is therefore now nocondemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh,but after the spirit. For the law of the spirit of life, has made me free fromthe law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2). That's the helmet of salvation.Put it on every day.