The other day my son came running in, looking very funny. He had my army helmet (which we called a bucket) on his head and the straps that hold the helmet firmly on your head were swinging loose. His head is far too small for the helmet and he had to swing his whole body to and fro to keep his balance and prevent the helmet from falling off. “That’s my steel helmet that we had to wear almost day and night in the army to protect us.”

When I saw the questions running over his face, I told him how important it was to wear the steel helmet on your head. If you were wounded in the head, it is mostly fatal and the enemy knew that very well. That’s why the strongest iron is used to protect it at all costs.

It’s so important for us to wear a steel helmet in spiritual warfare. In the spiritual battle we need to make sure that our head is not hanging out in the open where the enemy can target it. ⁸… Walk out into the daylight sober, dressed up in faith, love, and the hope of salvation.

By the way, it might not be totally correct to say wearing a helmet is a weapon; it is more for protection. But, well, if you’ve used all your bullets, you could throw it at the enemy … But let’s move on.

In the war the enemy is going to try and trick us to get us going in the wrong direction. People with long stories about how old the earth is, the creation, about Jonah and the whale, about Jesus’ virgin birth, baptism and much more, will try and convince you differently. People will say that man wanted to be perfect and then imagined a magical person to strive after, calling him God.

For these kinds of attacks, we need a strong steel helmet. We must have a firm trust; we must believe firmly in the salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross as punishment for our sins. That is why we don’t have to be punished for our sins. We must hold onto this knowledge like a limpet clinging to a rock. No attack by the devil must make us wonder.

Should he then ask why you believe this, the answer is simple: “Because the Bible says so!” And if he then throws more questions your way, do what my friend always does. Show him the hand, like you do when you want to stop someone, and say: Speak to the hand. I’m done talking.

Lastly, it’s interesting to see that the first two weapons, faith and love, concern the heart, and that the hope of salvation concern our brain. Our thoughts and mind.

In the war, we must ensure that our whole being is ready for war. We must be prepared on all fronts, because then the enemy won’t have a chance.

Reflection

What does your helmet look like?

Do you believe in Jesus’ salvation?

On which fronts are you being attacked?

Prayer

Father, I know about attacks and the enemy that wants to trick me. Please help me never to doubt that Jesus is my Saviour too. My hope lies in the firm knowledge that You are my Saviour. Amen.