DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GIRD UP YOUR LOINS

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – GIRD UP THE LOINS OF YOUR MINDS

"Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hopefully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelations of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance, but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy.' " (I Peter 1:13-16)

"Gird up the loins of your minds" is an interesting choice of words by Peter. Of course he is writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but it is also akin to Peter's vocabulary and experience. The word "gird up", according to Thayer's Greek Lexicon, is a metaphor derived from the practice of the Orientals, who, in order to be unimpeded in their movements were accustomed, when about to start on a journey or engage in any work, to bind their long and flowing garments closely around their bodies and fasten them with a leather girdle. As a former fisherman, Peter would have done this in his work.

I imagine the purpose may have been twofold. One was to allow freedom of movement without being constrained by their robes or to keep them from tripping, and the other is to keep their robe from becoming soiled by the muck and mire of the roads or the dusty streets and paths that the person would be traveling.

On our Christian journey, we travel through a world that is full of ungodly mudholes. We need to be attentive and take care of our minds, and not let them be tripped up by the vane philosophies or false doctrine that are so prevalent, or become soiled by mud and filth of this world. In fact, we read that God said to be holy because He is holy (vss. 15-16).

The Scriptures give admonitions about keeping our minds in check. Whatever is true, noble, just pure, lovely of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy – think on these things (Philippians 4:8). And we are told to not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1).

So let us not be sloppy in the clothing of our minds, but pay close attention to how we think, because Jesus said that out of the heart come evil thoughts (Mark 7:21), and our conduct comes from what is in our hearts. So, let us gird up our minds.

Love, Dad