Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation 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.” (1 Peter 1:13-16)
Preparing the Mind for Action
A slogan from many years ago suggested that a mind is a terrible thing to waste. A man’s character is rooted in the character of his mind. The wise man said that a man is what he thinks he is. Allowing the devil to destroy the mind is a terrible thing. Satan knows that the mind is the battlefield upon which he wages war against the soul of man. Peter admonishes the saints, who were facing persecution, not to allow the devil to sway their minds into giving up or turning away from the faith. It would take great courage to face the temptations of the spirit, the persecution of the world, and the desire to give up. Christians must wage war against the devil with faith, courage, hope, and a clear mind.
Peter gives clear instructions for preparing the mind. First, the mind must be gathered together and firmly established in truth. Albert Barnes writes, “The allusion here is to the manner in which the Orientals were accustomed to dress. They wear loose, flowing robes, so that, when they wish to run, or to fight, or to apply themselves to any business, they are obliged to bind their garments close around them.” In a spiritual sense, fighting against the devil requires concentrated attention to his evil schemes so that they can be refuted, refused, and rejected. An unsettled mind will not prevail against such a powerful foe. The mind must be continually prepared to stand for the truth. This preparation comes from spending time in the Word of God so that faith can be firmly planted in the heart.
It takes a sober mind to battle Satan. The devil should never be underestimated. He is a roaring lion with great influence and power, and the only way to defeat him is through the power of God. Without a mind that remains clear about the dangers of sin, the devil’s influence can overcome and destroy the soul. Using the metaphor of drunkenness, a mind intoxicated by the wiles of the devil will produce nothing good. Being sober means keeping the mind clear and alert. The Christian should never allow the influences of the evil one to invade the mind and corrupt the holiness that should dwell there. Sobriety comes from placing the hope of eternal life firmly in the heart and mind and never losing sight of that hope.
Hope comes through obedience to the gospel. There was a time when the Christian stood outside the blessings of God and was lost in sin. Through obedient faith, the mind of God’s children becomes firmly established in His truths. The hope of eternal life is grounded in the understanding that, just as God is holy, His children must live holy lives. Living a holy life requires removing evil influences from the heart. The Christian must not conform his life to the temptations and desires of the world. Every Christian is called to holiness, and God expects His children to live holy lives. The Christian should desire holiness because he wants to be like his Father. Every characteristic of the Father should be reflected in the lives of those who have been born again into the family of God.
Holiness comes from a sound mind, a mind that is girded and firmly planted in the grace of God. Paul reminds the Romans that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Holiness comes from living a faithful life dedicated and devoted to knowing and following the Word of God. The more time spent in the message of hope, the more firmly the mind is girded with the strength needed to withstand the attacks of Satan. Knowing that Jesus shed His own precious blood to redeem the soul from Hell should direct the heart toward a greater desire to live a holy life. To be holy is to prepare the mind for action. The battle is real, but the victory is assured through Christ. Girding the mind prepares the Christian to stand against Satan and secures the hope of eternal life with God. Let’s gird our minds.
