Wear your helmet
July 18th, 2009 Posted in Pastor's corner, essentials, sermons | 1 Comment »Hey everyone! Did you happen to notice our new Web site is up?
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As we wrap up this series on the spiritual armor we wear to fight a spiritual war, we only have two pieces left—the helmet and our one offensive weapon, the sword (more on that Monday).
Paul tells us we are to take “the helmet of salvation” (Ephesians 6:17).
In a war, the two most sought-after and vulnerable targets on the ancient battlefield were the heart and head. With our heart and other vital organs ably protected by the breastplate of righteousness, the enemy will try to strike the head. One well-placed blow here and the battle is over.
What does it mean to wear the helmet of salvation?
It would seem to me that the apostle is telling us to watch our thoughts in general. Most temptation comes through the gateway of the mind and imagination.
This is why Paul tells us, “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your mind may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).
Smashing warped philosophies
When those “flaming arrows” of ungodly thoughts come, we need to have our guard up.
Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:5-6:
“We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity” (THE MESSAGE).
Watch your thoughts!
So watch what you allow into your thought life. Our minds, thoughts, and imaginations must be protected. Proverbs 23:7 reminds us, “As a man thinks, so is he.”
Satan recognizes the value of first getting a foothold in the realm of the thoughts and imagination, as this will “prepare the way” for that thought to translate into action! As it’s been said:
Sow a thought and reap an act.
Sow an act and reap a habit.
Sow a habit and reap a character.
Sow a character and reap a destiny.
So think “heavenly thoughts” this weekend!
This and that
You may want to check out my weekend column at WorldNetDaily. To read that, click here.
Also, here is my weekend devotion.
