Christ Integration Camp

Say:

• The helmet of salvation is another part of the armor of God that Paul discusses in Ephesians 6. In the Roman army, the helmet served as protection for the head. It was a vital piece of the armor, as an attack to the head could result in instant death.
• As Christians, we are not to be of this world. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
• When we put on the helmet of salvation, we can avoid sinful thoughts and understand what is good and true. When we forget to do this, we are susceptible to thoughts that are planted in us by the enemy, who seeks to harm our walk with Christ.

Activity: “I know what you’re thinking”

• Think of a number – Double it – Add 6 – Halve it (divide by 2) – Subtract the original number – You now have a number; that number is… 3
• Do you really think I could read your mind? No; it was a trick. Remember Satan may be a powerful enemy, but He is not God. He cannot read our thoughts. He can however put things around us that give us thoughts.
• The two main ways are located on our heads…our eyes & our ears! Yes…we need the helmet of salvation to protect our minds from thoughts that are against God.

Read 2 Corinthians 10:4-5:

• 2 Corinthians 10:4-5-“Since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ.”
• We can filter our thoughts through the truth of God’s Word. When we know Jesus through salvation, we are better able to know what truth is from God and what are Satan’s lies. The Holy Spirit of God lives within us and helps us know Jesus and begin thinking like Jesus does. That is part of how Salvation protects and directs our thoughts. And the more we “feed” our minds good thoughts from God’s Word, the more protected our minds become. Salvation continues to make us more and more like Jesus as we spend more & more time with Him.

• Why is this important? Because thoughts lead to desires and desires lead to choices. If we believe the wrong thoughts, we will end up making wrong choices. “What you believe to be true will determine how you live. It will also determine your thoughts about God.”

• Let’s look at a few examples
  • Wrong thought – “A small lie won’t hurt anything.” Truth – God’s Word says “Don’t lie.” And “God is truth.” A small lie can make it easier to tell more lies. It also can destroy others trust in us. God knows best; we can trust His Word!
  • Wrong thought – “I messed up too bad; God won’t forgive me. I am lost again.” Truth – God promises to forgive us. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us from all unrighteousness.” Romans 8:38-39 says “For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!”
  • Wrong thought – “If God let something bad happen, He is not good.” Truth – Mark 10:18 Jesus says no one is good except God.  Romans 8:28 goes on to say that God causes all things to work together for our good & His glory for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose.