Scripture: I Peter 1:13-16 ¹³ Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ¹⁴ As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: ¹⁵ But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; ¹⁶ Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

I Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The Mind Field

Yes, I am aware that the customary spelling is “mine” field to refer to the landmines that are present. But, for the purpose of our post today, I’m calling it a “mind” field. Our mind, the seedbed of our thoughts, is in fact where the majority of our battles take place. Sometimes our mind feels like a minefield. Doesn’t it? We’re bombarded with so many thoughts bred out of…

• How we feel
• What we see
• What is being done to us
• What is being done to someone else
• Current affairs
• The economy

There are literally thousands of triggers each day that set off thoughts in our mind. Some of these thoughts can be explosive and if detonated, acted upon, they could inflict serious casualties, not only to our selves, but to others. In our scripture today, Peter admonishes us to, “gird up the loins of our mind.” What an interesting juxtaposition of terms here; the mind and the loins. What would one have to do with the other?

The Birth of a Thought

If each action we perform, or commit is preceded by a thought, we must all gird up, or guar the birthplace (loins host our reproductive organs) of our thoughts. By guarding what triggers these thoughts, and not allowing them to penetrate to the point of execution, we can and will arise victorious over the very thing the devil intended to elicit a certain response out of you. Now that we know we must guard the birthplace of our thoughts, let us discuss the “how.”

Guard Against Pride

Paul wrote to the Philippians, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” What kind of mind would Christ have had? For starters, he wasn’t thinking ill of mankind. In fact reading further in the same chapter, ⁶Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: (Philippians 2:6-7). Even though, Jesus was God, manifested in the flesh, he did not exercise superiority over man; he took upon him the form of a servant. Humility is essential if one is to guard their mind against pride! ⁴The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts (Psalm 10:4).

Guard Against Negativity

Not much farther in the book of Philippians, we are given some further instructions on protecting our minds. ⁸Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things (Philippians 4:8). Contrary to what some my “think” I cannot force you to think differently. This requires training on your part. A terrific start is allowing yourself to focus on the list Paul gave us. Doing so will prevent the negative mindset that so permeates our society today.

Guard Against Carnality

¹Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin (I Peter 4:1). Yes, you read correctly, Peter again instructs us to “arm” ourselves against our own flesh. It opposes all that is good. It seeks only to satisfy the primitive nature that tainted us so many thousands of years ago in Eden. No good will come of giving into the carnal nature of the flesh. I know we are fleshly creatures, but our appetites and desires should stem from our spiritual mind rather than our carnal mind. ⁶For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Romans 8:6).

The Armor

¹³ Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; ¹⁵A nd your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:13 – 17).

Again, we see reference to our loins, and that for very best protection we must employ truth! Of course we need more than just our mind protected, which Paul makes provision for here. I do not think it coincidental that Paul starts with truth. We have a foundation of truth on which we can stand, on which we can build, and which we can use to protect ourselves from false doctrine and from attacks of the enemy.

In Closing

“Truly,” truth is our greatest defense against attacks on our minds. Perhaps that is why the wisest man of his time said in Proverb, ” Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding (Proverbs 23:23).

How Do I Feel?

Physically, I’m amazed at how good I feel today. Perhaps the best day I’ve had since I started. Being over half way there is an exhilarating feeling as well. Which begs the question, should I be in anticipation about the fast ending? Doing so could potentially put me at risk of making this more about an endurance test than about a spiritual journey and getting closer to the Master. After all, yes the destination is our focus, as is Heaven. But, let’s not shortchange ourselves of the journey that’s ahead, which holds for us many more joyful experiences.