Gird Up the Loins
of Your Mind
1 Peter 1:13
Girding Up the Loins
 Girding up the loins was done by
gathering up the loose clothing
around the waist that would restrict or
impede movement and progress
(2 K. 1:8; Mt. 3:4); it was an act of
readiness; preparedness
 Sojourners, speakers, servants, and
soldiers were told to “gird up the loins”
Girding Up the Loins
 Sojourners were told to have their loins
girded for travel (Ex. 12:11)
 Speakers were told to have their loins girded
for preaching (Jer. 1:17)
 Servants were told to have their loins girded
for work (Prov. 31:17; Lk. 12:35-37)
 Soldiers were told to have their loins girded
for battle (Isa. 11:5; Eph. 6:14)
Gird Up the Loins of Your Mind
 Peter has been writing about the
Christian’s living hope (1:3-5)
 There will be suffering along the way
that will end in salvation (1:6-9)
 Which salvation the prophets spoke
about (1:10-12)
 “Wherefore…” (1:13)
Gird Up the Loins of Your Mind
 Girding up involves putting out of the
way that which impedes progress…
 Worry, fear (Phil. 4:6; 2 Tim. 1:7)
 Envy, jealous, hatred, bitterness,
impurity (Gal. 5:19-20; Eph. 4:31;
Col. 3:5)
 Conceit, pride (Rom. 12:3,16)
Gird Up the Loins of Your Mind
 Girding up involves mental
preparedness…
 Mentally prepared for holy living
(1:15; 2:1-10; 3:10-12; 4:3-5)
 Mentally prepared for loving service
and generosity (1:22; 3:8; 4:8-9; 5:5)
Gird Up the Loins of Your Mind
 Mentally prepared for temptation
(2:11; 5:8)
 Mentally prepared for subjection
(2:13 – 3:6)
 Mentally prepared for suffering
(2:20-21; 3:14; 4:12-16)
Gird Up the Loins of Your Mind
 Mentally prepared for giving a defense
of one’s faith (3:15)