ICS Daily Devotions
Battlefield of the Mind

Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The helmet of a Roman soldier is the last piece of armor that must be worn before heading out to the battlefield. It’s also the most vital part. Before engaging in battle, it is imperative for a Roman soldier to strap in place and securely fasten the helmet, since the head is the most delicate area – if an injury is inflicted upon him, it would render his whole armor useless and that would be the end.

Paul named it the “Helmet of Salvation” because the last frontier takes places in the battlefield of our mind. The devil’s attack is not only confined to our assurance of salvation, but his schemes entail every aspect of our lives.

The good news for believers is that salvation is an ongoing state and it encompasses every aspect of our lives. Salvation not only means getting us spiritually saved, but it literally means deliverance, safety, preservation, material, and temporal deliverance from danger, and apprehension, pardon, restoration, healing, wholeness and soundness.

Putting on the helmet of salvation refers to renewing our mind with the Word of God. The devil is scheming in that he knows that if he gains control of our mind, he is in a position to manipulate our emotions and actions. Our actions are a result of our daily thoughts. A man think in his heart so is he (Proverbs 23:7). The wiles, schemes, devices, and deceits of the evil one comes through the mind.

2 Cor 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

It is our responsibility to counteract those strongholds. A stronghold consists of two types: rational and irrational. Irrational strongholds are fears and worries that are completely unrealistic – it could be abnormal fears of rejection that keep us from building relationships in life.

For instance, there are many young people who have fallen into a deep pit of depression and have even become suicidal due to fear and rejection that they might not succeed academically – due to rising pressure from school and their peers, or even parents. This is a rational stronghold. They base their security and identity on their academic qualifications and whether they get accepted in one of the prestigious Ivy League universities. However, if their inner man is strong – no matter what trials they go through – they will be stable and strong, and will have victory! We are to teach them that their identity and acceptance is in Christ. And believe in what God says about them because we are sons and daughters of the King.

According to 2 Corinthians 10:5: the word “argument or imagination” is derived from the word logimos meaning logical thinking. Without the Helmet of Salvation, the mind is able to conquer faith in God. If our mind is not constantly renewed with the Word of God, it will always talk us out of obeying God. As a result, the “imagination” of our mind will completely dominate and control us, stopping us from being obedient to God.

Strongholds are not built overnight but over a process of time. It is the lies of the enemy that was spoken to us. His lies are able to saturate our minds with discouragement and doubt in that he points to our failures, our sins, our poor health, or anything that is negative to draw away our confidence in God. When these lies are left unchallenged over a period of time, a thick impenetrable wall imprisons our mind. A stronghold in Greek is described as a “fortress or prison.”

2 Cor 10:5-6 Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

Securely put on God’s spiritual armor, the “Helmet of Salvation” to protect your mind. Take into captivity every negative thought and bring down those thoughts that exalt itself against the knowledge of God. This is the best opportunity to use God’s Words to reject those thoughts and bring it into subjection to what the Word says. Are you agreeing on the truth of what God says about you or do you believe in the lies of the enemy?

Sermon series: Inner Life