Helmets and Swords

Week 15

Ephesians 6:17 (KJV)  -  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

·         “Helmet of Salvation”  

      In Isaiah 59:17 God puts on the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation and then goes on to defeat His enemies and save his people.  Here we are given the helmet of salvation by God.  It not only protects us from the attack of the enemy but compels us to follow God in bringing deliverance to His people.  The mighty warrior King of Israel has called us to bring Good News of Salvation to the captive. 

·         “Blessed Assurance”   

     The Helmet of Salvation is placed on our head by the hands of Jesus!  We are assured that in the midst of battle, no matter what the enemy does, we will be saved!  Paul tells us in Ephesians 2 “For by grace are you saved through faith…”  (perfect passive participle – you have been saved and the result continues on)  Sometimes when the battle is raging and the enemy comes in like a flood we need to remember that God has raised up a standard against him.  Stand with me at the foot of the cross and know – we are not forsaken but we have a friend and His name is Jesus.

·         “Sword” of the Spirit, 

      The Word of God draws Satan’s blood like a sword.

Bunyan described it well, “Then Apollyon, espying his opportunity, began to gather up close to Christian, and wrestling with him, gave him a dreadful fall; and with that Christian's sword flew out of his hand. Then said Apollyon, "I am sure of thee now," and with that he had almost pressed him to death, so that Christian began to despair of life. But as God would have it, while Apollyon was fetching of his last blow, thereby to make a full end of this good man, Christian nimbly reached out his hand for his sword, and caught it, saying, "Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy! When I fall I shall arise"; [Micah 7:8] and with that, gave him a deadly thrust, which made him give back, as one that has received his mortal wound. Christian, perceiving that, made at him again, saying, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." [Romans 8:37] And with that, Apollyon spread forth his Dragon's wings, and sped away, that Christian saw him no more.^”

·         “The Sword that Heals”  

      If you are a Christian you were once laid open by the Word of God – given a terrible wound.  It was that wound which revealed the condition of your heart so you would believe and repent and be made alive by the Spirit of God.  God’s Word is a laser beam which kills to make alive.  There is no weapon like it on earth so pick it up, trust it, and use it today.

·         “Sword of the Spirit”   

     Scripture is “God Breathed” (2 Timothy 3:16).  Think about that for a minute.  The same breath that made man a living soul gave us The Word of God.  That means the life of God is in the Word.  It means there is eternal power in the Word.  It is no wonder that John stated “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”  There is nothing like it in the all of creation so “take” it and use it every day in every situation.