Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:17

Living in Tanzania, I heard, again and again, believers say, “I am saved!”  It was not a boast but a declaration that Jesus saved them and they are walking as saved persons.  It also clarified that they are new people, in a sense, much different from what they once were, in the world, and a declaration that their identity has changed.

I found that it mystified some why we white people are so reluctant to speak of the most important thing that could ever be experienced by human beings, that God saves us.  Even us missionaries who were supposed to be “super” Christians, seldom if ever speak like that.

I realize that by announcing that you are saved, you are protecting your “head” so to speak.  Here Paul thinks of that testimony as a “helmet” that protects the head!  And we well know that the head controls every part of the body and enlivens the spiritual aspects of life.  How wonderful to know that salvation protests our heads, as we live as saved people.

The second gift in this verse is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  It is an offensive and defensive weapon.  What soldier would be caught for a moment without a sword?  Figuratively speaking, that sword is God’s word.  Our word does not count for very much, but when the word of God speaks through us, power is released that is astounding and eternal.  We speak not our words but the words of God that are revealed to us.