You and I have an enemy.  We did not choose him. When we chose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, His enemy became our enemy. Your enemy wants to defeat you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

 When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are saved from the penalty of sin, being saved from the very power of sin and someday will be saved from the very presence of sin!

The next piece of armor is 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:

What does the helmet protect?

The helmet protects your head which houses your brain. Your brain controls how your body operates and moves. Your head may become injured, bruised or severely damaged.

The enemy’s attack may be swift and unexpected or slowly approaching so you see it coming. Regardless of how and when the enemy attacks, Jesus wants you to be ready, with your mind protected with the helmet He designed for you.

Jesus’ love for you is unconditional. There is nothing you need do to make Him love you more. There is nothing you can do that will make Him love you less. His love is stronger than any failure on your part. His love is stronger than your enemy. His love is stronger than death. Rest in His love because His grace is sufficient for you.

What does salvation mean for you?

New life and forgiveness. – Colossians 2:

¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

John 5:

²⁴ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Deliverance and Translation into His kingdom as heir- Colossians. 1:

¹² Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

¹³ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

¹⁴ In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Reconciled to God – Colossians 1:

²¹ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

Redeemed from the penalty of death and slavery to sin –Galatians 3:

¹³ Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

¹⁴ That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Remember any thought that comes into your mind is not a sin. You and I are bombarded with dirty images on the subway, on the television, on the internet, in casual conversations.

However, how you respond to the thought may be a sin.

Jesus loves you so much. He provides the helmet of salvation to protect your mind from any injury or damage.  He understands. He stands ready to help. Jesus does not want a puppet. The choice of what you allow into your mind is yours.

Advice from David – Psalm 32:

⁷ Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

⁸ I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

⁹ Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

¹⁰ Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

¹¹ Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Advice from Peter- 1 Peter 2:

¹ Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

² As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

³ If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

⁴ To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

⁵ Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

⁶ Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

^Z7 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

¹⁸ But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Jesus is intimate. He is your personal Savior. Remember His promise in Hebrews 13:

⁵ Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

⁶ So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Questions for Reflection

1) What does having Jesus for your teacher mean to you?

2) What does growing in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus mean to you?

3) What difference should it make for you to be in the Son’s kingdom rather than the enemy’s kingdom?

Rejoice in the Lord by Ron Hamilton

God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.

O Rejoice in the LORD
He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried
And purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

Listen to the song on youtube:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iJLgasicRI

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti