But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

1 Thessalonians 5:8

Our minds are essential not only to the way we think or react but our minds also control many of the other functions of our bodies. So, obviously we recognize the value of the helmet, right? Soldiers wear them into battle and so when Paul writes in Ephesians 6: 17 that we are to “take the helmet of salvation” he is making a very specific point that salvation is essential for each of us as it protects us now and will protect us in the future.

In the verse above he uses the phrase “hope of salvation” to describe helmet because without the sacrifice of Christ there really is no hope for any of us. And without God’s salvation for us, there is no reason to expect to win a spiritual battle.

So as we receive the helmet of salvation, we should be aware that the protection of our minds is essential and so I am reminded of Paul’s words to the Romans – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”(Romans 12:2a).

Is my mind being intentionally transformed toward Godly thoughts or am I allowing myself to go along with the flow of the culture around me?

Our kids are all now well into their thirties and still on the first day of every month we pray a prayer of salvation based on this statement –

“Lord, let salvation spring up within my children, that they may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory” (Isaiah 45:8, 2 Timothy 2:10).

Nothing in this life is more important. Nothing else provides a hope beyond this life.