By Drake Hunter | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
After serving more than two decades in the U.S. military, I’ve learned that the fiercest battles aren’t fought with swords or shields, they’re fought in the mind.
Every day, we wrestle with doubt, anxiety, guilt and the rackety voices of culture telling us who we are (or should be). The enemy, who isn’t flesh and blood, knows that if he can get us to question our standing before God, he can shake our confidence, weaken our faith and make us ineffective in every area: intellectually, physically, morally and spiritually.
That’s why the Helmet of Salvation, a crucial part of our spiritual armor, isn’t just a theological concept, it’s the bedrock of thinking and living.
The Bible’s familiar warrior, the Apostle Paul, says plainly: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1. Peace with God. Not ‘maybe’ peace. Not ‘hope so’ peace. But solid, unshakable, signed-in-blood peace.
But here’s the problem. Without justification firmly in place in our minds, life gets messy. Confusion creeps in, anxiety takes root and before long, we’re running on fumes, wondering why everything feels so unstable. The Bible warns us: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” — Proverbs 14:12. Meaning? If we rely on our own understanding instead of God’s truth, we end up lost, exhausted and running in circles. But when we embrace God’s truth, we are empowered, confident and at peace.
Here’s the deal! Justification is your legal right to exist before God through Christ. It’s not about being ‘good enough’ — it’s about being declared righteous by God, not made righteous through works (Romans 3:28). That’s a game-changer! This is why Paul tells us to put on the Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17). Just like a soldier never goes into battle without head protection, we can’t afford to live without guarding our minds with the truth of justification.
Justification has many benefits. It shifts our thinking (Romans 12:2). It removes guilt and condemnation (Romans 8:1). It replaces our mental strongholds with truth (2 Corinthians 10:5). When we grasp justification, we no longer live under a cloud of guilt and fear; we stand fully accepted and at peace with God (Romans 5:1). It’s not wishful thinking; it’s warfare against every lie the enemy whispers. It’s a liberation from guilt and fear, and a journey toward peace and acceptance.
Let’s break it down military-style: a before-and-after approach. Before Justification, what rules your mind? You live with envy, always comparing. You feel like you have to prove your worth every day. You struggle with self-condemnation and anxiety. You believe, “I am my mistakes.” However, what does it look like after Justification rules your mind? It’s a complete transformation. You rest in the Lord’s grace instead of striving. You hear Jesus say, “It is finished” (John 19:30) and believe it. You replace self-condemnation with confidence in Christ. You declare, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:21). You trade anxiety for assurance because God has made peace with you and vice versa (Romans 5:1).
In today’s world, your mind is a battlefield. Anxiety, depression, fear and identity confusion are running wild. Many Christians know they are saved, but still fight relentless mental battles because they haven’t put on the Helmet of Salvation.
So here’s the challenge. Suit up. Every morning, before you check your phone, before you let the world tell you who you are, declare God’s truth over your mind. This isn’t just positive thinking; this is justified warfare thinking. This is living in victory!
So, soldier, are you ready to fight the right battle? If so, it’s time to suit up and win the war in your mind, and once and for all, allow God’s Justification to win the battle of LIFE! It’s a commitment to declare God’s truth daily, a determination to fight the right battle and a victory over the war in your mind.
To enjoy more of Drake’s content and conversations, CLICK HERE to connect with his podcast, “Just Sayin’ with Pastor Drake.”
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.