Helmet of Salvation

We are told to put on  the helmet of salvation (Ephesians 6:17). What does this mean? The helmet protects the head, and the helmet being salvation suggests that one of Satan's strategies is to make us doubt we are saved or can be saved. Now Scripture does speak of a genuine assurance of salvation (1 John 5:11-13; Romans 8:29-30; John 10:27-30). This is based on the fact that salvation is not something we produce, but is given to us through the work of Christ (Romans 3:21-28; Ephesians 2:8,9; Colossians 2:13,14). Now it is true that salvation should have a result in our lives, and we we should be careful of too easily reaching the assurance that we are saved (2 Corinthians 13:5,6: Titus 2:11-14; James 2:14-26). But we need to be careful of putting the bar too high. Scripture says we can know and can pass the test. One thing that helps me put this in perspective is 2 Peter 2:7,8. Lot in the Old Testament made some bad and sinful choices. But we are told by Peter he was a righteous man; he was saved. But we are also told his soul was tormented continually because of the deeds committed in Sodom. The true believer cannot be at home in sin. But if it is not possible to reach the point of having a real assurance of salvation, we can end up being paralyzed by doubts and unable to do the the things God has for us to do. To have assurance we must not take it too lightly or make it too hard. Also, one thing that can help in such doubts is to remember that we told that he who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved (John 3:16; 1:12,13; Acts 16:31). Then we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and turn to Satan's minions and say, "If I was not saved before, I am now."