Ephesians 6, verse 10 and following describes the war we are in as Christians--not with one another, and not even with the lost world around us, but against Satan's attacks in an invisible realm.  We have vulnerabilities that we need to own up to--our bodies get tired and irritable, hormones change, hunger kicks in.  Unless we are filled with God's Spirit and clothed in His armor, our words and actions can become ungodly reactions.  Our greatest weakness is thinking that we can do anything in our own strength.  The kind of pride that flies into a day never thinking twice about asking God for His help and power sends us naked and defenseless before a world infected with with sin and darkness and Satan who seeks to devour us.  We need God's armor so that, at the very least, we can withstand the devil's onslaught and remain standing on the day that trouble comes.
   The Belt of Truth - God's truth found in his word.  This means the things God said are true, and the rules about believing and confessing truth to others.  Adding to or taking away from scripture, false doctrine, false accusations and malicious gossip are all enemies to the truth of God that protects our emotional fortitude and spiritual integrity.
   The Breastplate of Righteousness - Taking this piece of armor begins with accepting the righteousness of the Lord Jesus in place of our own.  Self-righteousness is spiritual nakedness.  Finding that we have allowed God to give us the righteousness of His Son, we can then allow Him to work through us and produce righteous works through our lives.  The Breastplate of Righteousness works from the inside out.
   The Shoes of Readiness - Called in scripture "the preparation of the gospel of peace", these spiritual shoes consist of how ready we are to tell others about Jesus Christ--His gospel, salvation, kingdom and return.  Just as we are not ready to leave the house without our shoes on, we are not ready to meet the world unless we are prepared to confess Jesus to those we meet, always having an answer to anyone who asks about the hope that is in us.
   The Shield of Faith - Faith is more about who God is than who we are.  God's character is certain--He cannot lie, He never fails, He is all powerful, and He knows us and cares for us more than a sparrow that falls or the grass of the field.  Our faith is the manner in which we fully rest in God's character, setting aside worry and sadness and taking up hope and joy unspeakable.  When our heart is happy and secure in our God, we can deflect any of Satan's fiery darts.
   The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God - Drawn from the pages of the Bible, God's word hidden in our hearts becomes a sword that can swiftly silence false doctrines, passionately reach lost souls, joyfully comfort the brokenhearted and mercifully empower the fallen.  God's word, in the power of His Spirit can both cut and heal, convict and confirm, rebuke and restore.  By His word, the lost are given eternal life and the proud are condemned to destruction.  His word is alive and powerful.
God has prepared these defenses for us, but it is up to us to take them upon ourselves daily - not just the rote prayers of saying, "I take on the belt of truth" and "I put on the breastplate of righteousness", but submitting our wills to the power of the Spirit, standing firm on truth, yielding our bodies as instruments of righteousness and believing God's word with all conviction.  The battles that come may be severe, and all we may be able to do at times is stand, but dressed in God's armor, we will stand and we will prevail!