No soldier would be complete without his helmet. This helmet of salvation protects the head or mind of the Christian who wears it. Our minds are something that needs to be protected from all the lying, deceiving darts of the devil. Our helmet is not a physical helmet made from iron or brass but a spiritual helmet, constructed by our Savior. I believe Paul is referencing back to Isaiah 59:17 "For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke." This helmet was first mentioned in Isaiah and is being worn by our Lord. The Lord suits up in Isaiah 59 and goes to rescue his people. Now it would seem that in Ephesians 6 Paul has borrowed this same idea of putting on the helmet of salvation. In Thessalonians 5:8-10 we find the same thought:
"But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."
This helmet of salvation is the hope that keeps our minds in the midst of battle. If a man has hope of victory then he or she can fight with a clear mind but if doubt creeps in, or one of satans deceptive darts pierces into your mind, it can become a worrisome wound of fear and anxiety. No soldier can fight if he loses his mind. Have you ever seen a person who has taken a hard lick to the head? They begin stumbling, saying things that make no sense, we say "they've been knocked silly." How many brothers and sisters have we seen "knocked silly" with an arrow of doubt or bad doctrine. They used to be so useful in the army of the Lord but these days they don't even know if they are saved. They used to stand on the promises, now they are sitting on the premises. Your mind is the most vital tool God has given you, be sure to protect it by putting on the helmet of salvation, that is the hope we have in Jesus. Don't lose hope, be reminded daily that he has saved you from eternity in hell, He has saved you from the trappings of sin. He is our hope and nothing can separate us from the love of God. This hope keeps us sober and vigilant, the second you have lost hope you become useless in the fight, you have been defeated.
The hope of salvation is what took the three Hebrew boys in to and out of the fiery furnace. Remember their words to Nebuchadnezzar?
"If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king." [Daniel 3:17]
They told the King that they were not careful to answer him, Their God can deliver us from the furnace and He will deliver us from your hand was their reply to the King's threats. They put the helmet of salvation to the test and it proved strong. They had a hope that caused them to stand when everyone else had fallen. The hope of salvation for them was in this life and in the one to come, that's why they said "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king." Their hope of salvation was that, if God so willed, he could save them from the furnace but if he didn't save them from the furnace he would save them in death. This is the hope that keeps our minds in the right place. We know the Lord can save us from afflictions and fiery furnaces but if he doesn't then we will be saved in death. In the words of Paul & Isaiah "Death is swallowed up in victory." This is the hope that should guard our mind, that in life he is my Saviour, and in death, he is my Saviour. The most successful soldiers have been the ones who were not afraid of dying and the most successful Christians have been the ones who counted not their own lives precious but laid their life on the line and had peace in their hearts while they did it. What a hope we have! A hope that has guarded men's minds as they were lead to the stake for burning. The same hope displayed in Stephen, a hope that kept him in the heavenly while his body was being stoned. This hope of salvation can keep you in the fight no matter how hot the trials become, the peace of God will keep our minds.
Philippians 4:6-8 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Brothers and Sisters, keep your minds in the hope that we have. Whatsoever things are lovely, true, honest, just, pure, of good report; think ye on these things. The fiery darts of satan never plant these types of thoughts in your mind. His darts will be of doubt, confusion, worry, lust; the direct opposite of the list of good thoughts given to us in Philippians. So, don't entertain those thoughts, let them bounce off the helmet of salvation God has given you, the hope that we have. Let every one of his lies be quenched with faith in the promises of God's word. Keep your mind guarded with the hope that we have. This will keep you fighting when everyone else has quit.