A Belt, a Breastplate, and a Pair of Shoes (Ephesians 6:14-15)
The threat is real. The danger is high. The worldly powers over this present darkness (ver. 12), are nothing to take lightly. The present darkness referred to in ver. 12 is the world over which Satan is god (2 Corinthians 4:4). It is the same world that John tells us not to love (1 John 2:15), and it encompasses everything that is unrighteous and ungodly and contrary to the will of God. It is the world we were delivered from when we obeyed the gospel (Galatians 1:4; Colossians 1:13). The devil wants to draw us back into this world, and unless we are properly armed for the battle, he will succeed. We must put on the armor of God.
We must fasten o
n the belt of truth. The Roman soldier’s belt was a very important piece of his armor. It wrapped around the loins and held the other pieces of the armor in place. It was also the place where the sheath, which held the sword, was attached. Without the belt, the soldier would have no way of carrying his sword into the battle. Furthermore, the bronze apron, that protected the lower body of the soldier, was held in place by the belt. Clearly the belt was a vital part of the armor. Just the same, truth is a vital part of our defense against the devil. The truth that Paul is referring to here is not the word of God. He will get to that later. Here Paul is referring to integrity and honesty of character. Everything we are as Christians is held in place by our sincerity and truthfulness. If we are ever to make a real difference for the cause of Christ, we must be honest and sincere in every aspect of our lives. The devil can spot dishonesty a mile away because he is the father of lies (John 8:44). If he finds that trait in us, he can surely use it against us. On the other hand, if we are honest in all that we do, and live our lives according to truth, and if we especially have a sincere faith like Timothy (2 Timothy 1:5), we will maintain a great advantage over the devil and the powers of darkness.
For the soldier, putting on the breastplate is critical. The breastplate protects one’s vital organs, especially the heart. While he might survive an arrow in certain parts of his body, an arrow to the heart means certain death. Thus, the breastplate is very important. Our breastplate is critical too. Paul says that we must put on the breastplate of righteousness. The word righteousness refers, not to that which is imputed by God (Romans 4:6), but to the kind of life that one lives, that is, the doing of that which is right in the eyes of God. To put on the breastplate of righteousness is to practice the doing of righteousness (1 John 2:29; 3:7-10). To overcome the darts of the devil, we must have an impregnable righteousness that cannot be altered by the temptations of Satan.
Finally, we must have all-purpose shoes that will keep us upright regardless of the terrain of life that we tread. The NIV says that our feet must be fitted with readiness. We must be ready for the spiritual fight that the forces of evil will bring upon us. The Roman soldier had special sandals with spikes on the bottom for times when the battle was fought on a slope or on a 
slippery surface. The soldier knew that if he fell down while in a fight, it would probably lead to his death; therefore, his shoes had to be prepared for such occasions. Our feet have to be properly fitted as well. What prepares us to stand regardless of the terrain of life? The gospel of Christ. It teaches us, not only how to be saved, but how to maintain our salvation.
Examine your life regularly. Make sure that you are living honestly. Make sure you are involved in the doing of righteousness, and make sure that your feet are properly fitted so you are ready for any fight the devil brings your way. If you are, you are well on your way to victory. As you wind down for the night, think on these things.