“and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”

Ephesians‬ ‭6:17‬ ‭ESV

‭‭‬‬Helmets vary from age to age, culture to culture and they go by many different names and shapes. For thousands of years, there was not the concept of the brain and what the function was. Most cultures believed your thought were processed within the heart. What they did know is that if the head received a single blow, even if the skull was penetrated, they would bleed profusely and could and most likely cause death. Ultimately the function of the helmet, even the crudes design, is to protect your head.  

There have been many good messages taught and preached on the helmet of salvation and how it was to protect the mind/thought process.  As stated above at the time Ephesians was written the Hebrew concept of the mind was believed to be in the heart not in the head. 

There were many helmets over the centuries the one design concept they all had in common, allow the soldier’s senses, to be fully active, allowing the soldier to see and hear the command of his authorities. By allowed the senses to be exposed the helmet was not protecting what was entering the mind and thoughts.  All thoughts are initiated by at least one sensory input.  Lustful thoughts do not just spontaneously pop into your mind, those thoughts, first come through visual and audible input. 

I believe the helmet of salvation is to protect and preserves spiritual life as a natural helmet protects physical life. As you can see even by the definition of salvation. 

sal·va·tion
/salˈvāSH(ə)n/
1. preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss.
2. deliverance from sin and its consequences, believed by Christians to be brought about by faith in Christ.

https://www.google.com/search?q=salvation

Salvation comes only from God through Jesus Christ. Jesus says in the Bible “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John‬ ‭14:6‬ ‭ESV‬. When we apply God’s salvation by accepting Jesus, salvation will preserve us.  

One part of salvation is to renews our conscience, that will illuminate our way, directing us away from harmful situations. As our conscience changes, we no longer desire to act the way we use to. We begin to understand our former actions were not leading us to a fullness of life. We go through life and another situation happens, and God delivers us, and our conscience had another level of renewing.

“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”

Hebrews‬ ‭10:22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Small compromises can cause adverse effects in your conscience. These actions might not be full out sin but will lead that way. If you have been delivered from any type of sin and you intentionally push pass the small voice of your conscience you are beginning to sear your conscience. I started to watch a series from an online streaming service, because of the sexual reference within the first two minutes, I knew that I should not watch the series. I was home alone and could of press pass what I heard. Many years ago God delivered me from pornography, I would have been walking to closes to that sin with this show. That show for another person might not be a sin but for me, it would of lead me back to the sin. I personally believe I did not sin by turning the show on because I did know what the content was, but if I would have pressed pass my conscience it would become sin.

Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom

‭The Song of Solomon‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭ESV

If we are not applying God salvation regularly, we could begin to ignore our conscience, and resisting His truth. Eventually, our conscience cannot hear the Spirit of God and what He is telling us.

‭‭We will occasionally sin. But, God provides a way for us to have our consciences cleared. 1 John 1:9 says that “if we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

APPLICATION

• Accept Jesus as your savor that you are able to obtain the Helmet of Salvation. see Gospel in 3 minute
• When you fall in sin be quick to ask God for his forgiveness, this will allow your conscience to stay clean
• Do not ignore the small voice of the Holy Spirit when it is speaking to your conscience