The conflict with Satan is spiritual, and therefore no tangible weapons can be effectively employed against him and his demons. We are not given a list of specific tactics Satan will use. However, it is quite clear that when we follow all the instructions in the Armor of God faithfully, we will be able to stand, and we will have victory regardless of Satan’s strategy.

"With the belt of truth buckled around your waist" (Ephesians 6:14).

The "belt of truth" was named after the leather belt with an apron that hung in front of the Romans soldier’s groin and lower abdomen. Small brass plates were attached to the apron to provide the greatest possible protection.

When preparing for battle, the belt would have been the first piece of protective equipment put on by the soldier. It clung closely to the soldier and shielded some of the most vulnerable areas of his body.

The belt prepares one to be ready for action. The belt was used to tie up garments so they would not get in the way while fighting. The call to have "your loins girt about with truth" is a call to be prepared. Christians always need to be ready to defend themselves against the powers of darkness and not be caught unaware.

You can be prepared in every circumstance, by making certain that you are a person of truth. This includes – knowing the good news about Jesus and explaining why you believe in Him.

We must live as a person of integrity – as someone who is honest and trustworthy.

"Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15 ).

"With the breastplate of righteousness in place" (Ephesians 6:14).

After buckling his belt around his waist, the Roman soldier would have fastened the breastplate around his chest. There were two types of breastplates. The first type of breastplate was fashioned by joining several broad, curved metal bands together using leather thongs. The second type of breastplate was a type of chain mail, constructed by linking, small metal rings together until they formed a vest.

The purpose of both types of armor was the same – to protect the soldiers vital organs. If a soldier failed to wear his breastplate, an arrow could easily reach the soldier's chest, piercing his heart or lungs.

The prophet Isaiah said "He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak" (Isaiah 59:16, 17).

God offers his own righteousness to every believer in Jesus Christ. Righteousness is not something that anyone can gain by doing good deeds. It comes from faith in Jesus Christ (Titus 3:5; Philippians 2:9).

Putting on the breastplate of righteousness means:

Believing in Jesus and his righteousness, not our own (Romans 4:3-5; Galatians 2:20, 21)..

Standing firm against injustice and corruption (Leviticus 19:15, Hebrews 1:9).

Knowing that God promises his protection against the forces of evil for those who have faith in Jesus (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

"Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ to all and upon all of them that believe" (Romans 3:22).

"And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15).

Marching was an essential part of the soldier's life, and no soldier could march far without sturdy shoes. Even before the Roman era, the breaking of a soldier's shoe was a metaphor for weakness or defeat (Isaiah 5:27, 28).

The soldiers shoes were fashioned from thick leather and studded through the souls with hobnails. Roman soldiers were so closely identified with their shoes that the slang term for Roman soldiers in the ancient world was "boot men."

The studded souls enabled the soldier to stand firm. They kept the soldiers feet from slipping in battle. Without his shoes, a Roman soldier could not maintain his position against his enemy.

The Greek word rendered "preparation" or "readiness" in Ephesians 6:15 can also be translated "prepared foundation" – in other words, a firm basis for a soldier’s feet.

The good news about Jesus Christ provides a strong foundation to stand firm against the powers of darkness.

"For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11).

The gospel of peace is the good news that we can have peace with God.

Before we turned to Jesus we wanted to live for ourselves. We did not care about God's plans. We were in conflict. But God loves us and made a way of being reconciled with him and living in peace (Romans 5:10).

The word peace has several other uses: Absence of conflict among Christians. The Lord wants believers to live in peace and unity with one another (1 Thessalonians 5:13, John 13:35; Ephesians 2:13, 14; 4:1 – 3; Romans 14:19).

Absence of worry. This peace is the confidence that God has everything under control.

"Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6, 7).

"In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts (arrows) of the wicked one" 
(Ephesians 6:16).

Made from the goat–skin or calf skin stretched over sturdy pieces of wood, the Roman shield stood 4 feet long, and was 3 feet wide. Iron rims were fitted along the top and bottom edges, and the iron circle was attached to the center of the shield. The boards curved inward, and a leather strap was fastened to the shields back.

Before going into battle, Roman soldiers drenched their leather – covered shields with water. When the fiery arrows of their enemies struck these soaked shields, the flames were immediately extinguished. Soldiers could put their shields together and have more protection.

The shield of faith is the Christian’s protection against temptation. Whenever we trust that God will provide everything we need, "the spiritual forces of evil" cannot tempt us with the lie that sin can produce a better life than God will (Ephesians 6:12).

In this way all the flaming arrows of the evil one – every temptation and distraction that Satan may hurl at God's people – can be stopped (Ephesians 6:16).

When faced with authentic faith in God, the powers of darkness are overcome. That is why the apostle John could say, "This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith" (1 John 5:4).

"As for God, his way is perfect, he is a shield for all who take refuge in Him" (2 Samuel 22:31).

"My shield is God most high, who saves the upright in heart" (Psalm 7:10).

"He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows" ( Psalm 7:13).

"You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great" (Psalms 18:35).

The Roman soldier's helmet was fashioned from bronze or iron.

Two hinged cheek pieces protected the sides of the soldiers face. For the sake of comfort, soldiers frequently lined their helmets with sponge or felt. At the time of Christ, a crest with a plume of horse’s hair was placed on top of Roman helmets.

The Roman soldiers helmet protected his skull and neck from his enemies weapons and falling debris. In earlier times, the purpose of the plume was to make soldiers appear taller and more imposing. By A.D. 60, the centurions plumes were died various colors to allow soldiers to distinguish quickly between the ranks of different officers.

A centurion was a Roman military officer who commanded approximately 100 soldiers, although the exact number could range from 62 to 160.

The New Testament mentions two centurions, Cornelius and Julius, by name (Acts 10:1 – 22; 27:1).

The helmet of salvation points to God's ultimate victory over the forces of evil.

Jesus's death on the cross and his resurrection from the dead provides all believers with freedom from the bondage of sin, and with eternal life with God.

To put on "the helmet of salvation" is to: "Have assurance that Jesus has saved you, not because of good deeds, but because of his mercy" (2 Timothy 1:9).

"Know that every believer is a "new creation," no longer living for selfish purposes, but living for the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:17).

To put on "the helmet of salvation" is to: Accept that you are in a battle and will be persecuted for believing in Christ. Keep the faith and you will be blessed" (Matthew 5:11, 12).

Look forward to being delivered into eternal life (John 316).

Know that God will forgive His followers when they fall, and ask for forgiveness (1 John: 1:9).

"[The LORD] put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation upon his head" (Isaiah 59:17).

"Let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

"Take ... the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17)

The sword of the Roman soldier was little more than 2 feet long, and was crafted from iron. Blacksmiths hardened the blade of the sword by covering the red – hot iron with coal dust; the coal dust formed a hard carbon coding on the blade. Sword handles could be made from iron, ivory, bone, or wood.

In battle, rows of Roman soldiers pressed back their enemies one step at a time, by forcing their shields forward, using their swords to advance against the enemy. The blade was held flat and parallel to the ground.

The only offensive weapon mentioned in Ephesians 6 is the sword. The belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, and helmet were not offensive; their purpose was defensive, to protect against the enemy. The sword was designed to defeat the enemy's plan and rescue lives.

The ‘Word’ of God is Jesus Christ. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). He was the messenger of God with a message. His message was the Gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:1, 14-15) and He was willing to sacrifice His life for our salvation.

The ‘Word’ of God is the Bible. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, He used Bible verses to answer and the devil left him (Matthew 4:1 – 11).

Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15).

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

In Conclusion: The full armor of God—truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer—are the tools God has given us, through which we can be spiritually victorious, overcoming Satan’s attacks and temptations. Fight the Good Fight with the Armor of God.