Ephesians 6:16,17

The Romans used to use arrows that were set alight, this added to the panic element that they caused when an army was assaulted with a volley of these arrows. In the same way the enemy uses fear as one of his primary weapons. He does things to seek to throw us into a panic. We counteract this with faith. This is not just saving faith (ie basic belief in the death and resurrection of Christ for our sins), but faith in God for all things. Jesus spent a lot of time teaching people that their Father in Heaven actually cared for them (eg Matthew 6). Panic does not come from God. When we find our minds and hearts assaulted with things that seek to cause fear we should remember that fear does not come from God (1 John 4:18), it is not God speaking to us. Jesus frequently told His disciples to "fear not", particularly after the resurrection. Now does God ever need to discipline us? Yet, of course He does (Hebrews 12:6), but when He disciplines us He will be specific, not vague, and there will be a clear path of repentance. When the enemy is seeking to put fear in our hearts, it will be vague and seek to engender a feeling of hopelessness.

The helmet of salvation protects our minds. The fact that we have been saved is fundamental. Jesus has died for our sins and risen again to give us new life. We are now part of God's kingdom (Colossians 1:13,14). The awareness of this should protect our minds.

The sword is the only directly offensive weapon mentioned in the armour of God. Paul is probably referring primarily to the good news when he talks about the word of God here. It is the good news of Jesus Christ that sets people free.