Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Ephesians 6:17 NIVUK
A number of years ago, while in the Philippines, I came across something that had been normal in the UK for decades but was relatively new where I was and I had never seen before.
For the first time, in the busy, traffic-clogged streets of Ormoc City and in the villages of Leyte, I could see people riding motorcycles and wearing helmets.
If you’re British and you’re reading this, you’ll likely be surprised at my surprise. But for the longest time, in several previous visits, motorcyclists had zipped passed me without helmets. It hadn’t been the law. Helmets cost money. Why should they? Besides, multiple people riding pillion on motorbikes is a traditional form of transport known as habal-habal. Where could a motorbike driver keep enough helmets for all those people?
And yet, as I watched slightly incredulously, suddenly most people were compliant and wearing helmets.
It’s no surprise to us that a Roman soldier would protect his head. It’s a normal, intelligent thing to do. After all, one sharp blow to the head and your soldiering career is over.
But what Paul tells us to protect our head with might surprise us:
The Helmet of Salvation.
So hold on a minute. How does a spiritual state like Salvation help our mental health? How can it keep our mind safe?
Actually, in more ways than we might think.
Firstly, we need to recall how we are saved, and Paul is good at reminding us of that:
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no-one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:1-10 NIVUK
This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:22-24 NIVUK
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
1 John 1:8-10 NIVUK
The Gospel teaches us that our salvation is utterly undeserved because we are sinners – we fall short of God's glory. But God, in His mercy and grace, did not leave us there. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross to pay the price for our sins and rise again from the dead to lead us into Heaven.
There are those in this world who think believing in Jesus is the greatest insanity. But I profoundly disagree. Believing in Jesus is the absolute definition of common sense. And thinking and meditating on our salvation is the absolutely healthiest thing we can do for our mental health.
Why?
Let me explain.
The Gospel provides us with far greater poise and balance in our self-awareness than any other belief system.
To those who suffer from low self-esteem, it says that they are valued by God, loved, fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), and redeemed at an extraordinary price by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross (1 Peter 1:18-19).
To those troubled by pride, it says that we are all sinners – without exception – and in desperate need of salvation (Romans 3:23-24, 6:23).
To those who live in fear and anxiety, it speaks of a God who takes care of even the tiniest detail of our lives (Matthew 6:25-34).
To those plagued by guilt from their sins and mistakes, it brings forgiveness through the cross (1 John 1:8-10).
To those who can see no way out from their troubles, it provides a sure hope that even these will end someday (Revelation 21:3-4).
To those plagued by negative and destructive relationships, it brings reconciliation and peace (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).
To those whose lives are in a mess, it gives the opportunity to start all over again (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Often in church we are distracted by our problems and struggles and by the latest fad coming down the pike. Or worse, we find ourselves stuck in a theological ghetto, arguing minutiae, straining out miniscule gnats while swallowing camels. These are not healthy places to be.
If we lift our eyes and focus our thoughts on the splendour of our salvation, then we will find our minds are better able to cope with the stresses and strains of every day life.
To a church split by strong personalities, straddling the ideological border between the Middle East and Asia, and buffeted by headwinds of serious persecution, Paul wrote those words:
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Philippians 4:6-8 NIVUK
There is nothing more true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy as the Gospel.
I’m not saying that we should think about our salvation and nothing else. We will have to face the stresses and strains of every day life sooner or later. But there is a huge difference between entertaining such thoughts on the front lawn of our mind and inviting them in as a permanent lodger.
If we want to live assured, confident lives, we must make a daily – or even more frequent – habit of meditating on our salvation. Don’t leave it till the next church service. Don’t leave it till the Lord’s Supper. Don’t even imprison it in your quiet time.
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIVUK
Treat your worries and fears and anxieties as harmful rodents. Take them captive. But let the Gospel roam free in your mind.
Christian, put on the Helmet of Salvation!
Questions
1. Have you ever linked your salvation in Christ to good mental health? How does this idea impact you?
2. How can you keep every thought captive and control how you think?
3. What does wearing the Helmet of Salvation mean to you?
I battle daily keeping thoughts healthy. It’s easy to worry but takes a life time mastering fearful thoughts.