DAY 19
The Helmet of Salvation & The Sword of the Spirit

‘Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.’ Ephesians 6:17

Here Paul highlights the importance of the fifth and sixth weapons: the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. 

The Helmet of Salvation:
Note the vital importance of wearing the helmet of salvation. The Roman soldiers’ helmets provided essential protection for the head and face. Similarly, in Isaiah, we see God described as wearing ‘the helmet of salvation’ as He saves His people and judges their enemies: ‘He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head, he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak.’ Isaiah 59:17. In Ephesians, this helmet symbolises the protection of our minds through the assurance of our salvation. By keeping our minds shielded with the certainty of our salvation, we fortify ourselves against spiritual discouragement and attacks.

The Sword of the Spirit:
Paul moves on to talk about the importance of us taking up ‘the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.’ The Roman sword, a short weapon used for close combat, is likened to the ‘sword of the Spirit,’ indicating that it is the Spirit who wields it. This sword represents the ‘Word of God.’ In the New Testament, two Greek words are used for ‘Word’: logos and rhema. While both are often used interchangeably, rhema typically refers to a spoken or proclaimed word. For example, Jesus used Scripture (a rhema word) to counter the devil’s temptations in the wilderness (see Matthew 4:4). In the context of Ephesians 6, with its emphasis on the gospel, Paul likely envisions the sword as both a defensive and offensive weapon in advancing the cause of Christ. Either way, it’s important that we realise and utilise this vital spiritual weapon and realise that the sword is God’s Word that we speak by the Spirit.