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Growing up, I had to "put on my armor" every morning with my mom. I didn't, but I learned to say these verse faster than that micro-machine guy from tv commercials ages ago (I just revealed how old I was, huh? dang) Now though, I see the importance of being daily equipped. It's more than reciting a verse, it's understanding that this is my outfit for the rest of my life. Anyway, in a practical sense, I think of the armor this way:
Belt of truth- my waist kind of dictates the direction the rest of my body goes. Am I following truth, or being led astray by lies? (and these lies can be anything from insecurity to gossip to false religion to selfishness. Whew.)
Breastplate fo righteousness- this sucker covers my heart, protects it. I have to protect my heart from unbelief. Believing God is credited as righteousness for me. And righteousness shields me from the lies the enemy throws at me that I need to work for salvation, earn repentance, etc. Without faith I can't please God. This bad boy is protecting the very relationship I have with God.
Shoes of peace- do I bring peace wherever I go or do I stir up strife, entertain division? I need to be a peacemaker and walk into every situation in my life in this manner.
Shield of faith- Gotta combat all the doubt, insecurity and unbelief thrown my way!
Helmet of salvation- this needs no explanation, in my opinion. The biggest battleground in life- that area betweent he ears. Our minds! I need to think on good things that honor God- that remind me I've been saved from crappy thinking!
Sword of the Spirit- In the words of Brian Adams, it cuts like a knife. The Spirit does. That sucker is sharp. It's the word- and it separates what's flesh and what's Him. It's the weapon of choice because it's effectiveness is 100%.
All in all, I need to be prepared. I can't live life thinking I can just wing it. I have to be ready!