THE HEAD PREPARED FOR BATTLE

(ATTENTION)

In a sermon on this text, Charles Spurgeon opened his sermon with these remarks:

If you were not soldiers, you would not need armor. But being soldiers, you need to he clad from head to foot in armor of proof. I suppose every Christian here knows, as a matter of theory, that he is a Christian soldier and that he has been enlisted under the banner of the cross, to fight against the powers of darkness until he wins the victory.

Now, Christian, recollect once or all that you are a soldier. Did you dream, young man, that as soon as you were baptized and added to the church, the conflict was all over? Ah, it was then but just beginning. Like Caesar, you then crossed the Rubicon and declared war against your deadly enemy. You drew your sword then—you did not sheathe it. Your proper note on joining the church is not one of congratulation, as though the victory were won, but one of preparation—for now the trumpet sounds and the fight begins.

You are a soldier at all times, Christian. You ought to sit even at your table as a soldier sits and you should go out especially into the world as a soldier goes out. Never take off your armor, for if you do, in some unguarded moment you may meet with serious wounds. But keep your armor ever about you and be watchful, for you are always in the midst of enemies wherever you may be.

I. The Explanation of the Weapon.

(EXPLANATION)

take-The second main verb in this long sentence (vv. 14-20) is "take" or, better, "receive" or "accept". In addition to standing firm, having received and having already put on four pieces of armor, we also need to receive and put on two more.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 6:17

The outline is divided here because the Greek word take is an imperative, rather than another participle. This parallels the imperative “stand” in verse 14.

This salvation is evidently similar to a "helmet," because deliverance involves a mental choice, namely, trust in God rather than self, and obedience to Him. Confidence in God becomes our "salvation," and thus protects our thinking while we are under attack.

helmet-The helmet was originally of skin, strengthened with bronze or other metal, and surmounted with a figure adorned with a horsehair crest. It was furnished with a visor to protect the face.

The helmet had a band to protect the forehead and plates for the cheeks, and extended down in back to protect the neck. When the helmet was strapped in place, it exposed little besides the eyes, nose, and mouth. The metal helmets, due to their weight, were lined with sponge or felt. Virtually the only weapons which could penetrate a metal helmet were hammers or axes. No soldier’s uniform was complete without a proper helmet.

1 Samuel 17:5: He had a bronze helmet on his head, and he was armed with a coat of mail, and the weight of the coat was five thousand shekels of bronze.

1 Samuel 17:38: So Saul clothed David with his armor, and he put a bronze helmet on his head; he also clothed him with a coat of mail.

II. The Explanation of the Theology.

A. God is our divine warrior who has won all of His battles against His enemies.

Isaiah 59:17: For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.

III. The Application of the Theology.

A. You must know the biblical facts of salvation.

Ephesians 2:5, 8-9: even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

2 Peter 1:3: as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.

B. You must possess assurance of your personal salvation.

1 John 5:13: These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

ILLUSTRATION

John MacArthur: But although a Christian’s feelings about his salvation may be seriously damaged by Satan-inspired doubt, his salvation itself is eternally protected and he need not fear its loss. Satan wants to curse the believer with doubts, but the Christian can be strong in God’s promises of eternal salvation in Scripture.

C. You must understand the real battle is in your mind.

ILLUSTRATION

Jonathan Edwards: The ideas and images in men’s minds are the invisible powers that constantly govern them.

Romans 8:5-7: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5: For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 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.

D. You must grow in biblical thinking.

Romans 12:2: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

ILLUSTRATION

One Sunday afternoon, I visited a man who had been a deacon in a local church, but was at that time involved in a false cult. We sat at the table with open Bibles, and I tried to show him the truth of God’s Word, but it seemed his mind was blinded by lies. “How did you happen to turn away from a Bible-preaching church and get involved in this belief?” I asked, and his reply stunned me.

“Preacher, I blame the church. I didn’t know anything about the Bible, and they didn’t teach me much more. I wanted to study the Bible, but nobody told me how. Then they made me a deacon, and I wasn’t ready for it. It was too much for me. I heard this man preaching the Bible over the radio and it sounded as if he knew something. I started reading his magazine and studying his books, and now I’m convinced he’s right.”

E. You can rest in the full completion of your salvation.

A bounding hope of future salvation and glory with Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:8: But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

1 Peter 1:13: Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

CLOSING ILLUSTRATION

Listen to these statistics regarding motorcycles:

Helmets saved an estimated 1,859 lives in 2016.

If all motorcyclists would have worn helmets in 2016, 802 more could have been saved. 

Each year, the United States could save more than $1billion in economic costs if all motorcyclists wore helmets.

Helmets reduce the risk of death by 37%.2Helmets reduce the risk of head injury by 69%.