2 Corinthians 4:4 “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ should shine on them.”
Many have been blinded by the god of this age, the world system, or even the spirit of deception which has caused many to become entrapped in sin, and stay closed off to the things of the Gospel and the voice of God. There is a lie which runs rampant throughout our society and “this age” which questions the things of God and prevents one from hearing the voice of God. Yes this passage may be talking about those outside the body of Christ, but Christians can also be misled by this lie or work of darkness. Our world system which communicates its messages through media, social media, and radio, tries to cause non-Christians and Christians alike to be lulled to sleep, accepting the hidden message that the Bible is irrelevant, and people should accept everyone and the various lifestyles they may be practicing. In short, our society has tried to feed everyone the lie that truth is no longer absolute, but can be true for anyone based on how they feel; thus the Bible or Christianity is viewed as confrontational and when Christians stand for truth, or raise our voices we are viewed as hateful and unaccepting. The world has tried go get everyone to just blend in with the crowd, go with the flow, and realize there is no absolute truth, but everyone’s truth is true according to how they feel. Thus God and the Bible are frowned upon and rejected.
1 Peter 1:13 “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 your former lusts, as in your ignorance; 15 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.’”
The word “conform” here can be translated as “suschematizo”, which means to conform to the same pattern. “Our former lusts” refers to the former areas of our sin nature we were redeemed from. There are some new patterns we need to learn. These patterns are patterns of holiness. The world wants us to follow its pattern. This is why in Romans 12, we read, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind through the washing of the Word.
The Word “revelation” is translated in Greek as “apokalupsis.” This word has a similar root meaning as apocalypse. This means to take off the cover or remove the veil of ignorance by the communication of light and knowledge.
For many, sin, or the “god of this age” or deception has covered their eyes to the truth of what the Bible truly says. People are blinded to the voice of God, partly due to the unhealed areas in their heart. People are also blinded by sin and bondage to some addiction or even lifestyle. Also it’s partly because the message of this world has caused them to be numb to the voice of God. Their wounded heart blocks them from hearing God’s voice. They may never experience change when God's Word is preached, because they can’t receive it.
When the light of Christ shines through, we have renounced all lies of the enemy and are not listening to his voices. Jesus Christ and His message of love and forgiveness transforms us. Since this passage in 1 Peter was speaking to Christians, we will address Christians here. Christians fall back into the “patterns” of their former way of life (lusts) before Christ. We experience the “revelation” of Jesus Christ when He removes the veil of ignorance of brokenness and lies. Ask God to show you where you have a veil of ignorance to take down. In Jesus’ name come out of agreement of all lies you’ve believed and repent of all unforgiveness.
This is why Peter says to “gird up the loins of your mind” in 1 Peter 1:13. Imagine your mind or brain was tied together by something like laces. To gird up the loins can be compared to tying together the loose ends of your mind. It means to practice self-control so that your mind and its desires do not stray to chase after other things, wants, or desires. Usually, this can involve your mind chasing after a sin or “lust” from your sinful nature you were redeemed from. There is a spiritual self-discipline and holiness the son or daughter of God must practice and pursue. Holiness is something which many in the church have failed to want to talk about any longer. However, it is still on God’s agenda for our lives.
The previous part of 1 Peter 1 is talking about the Believer’s inheritance and position in Christ. In Christ, we have an inheritance in Christ which has already been prepared for us by Jesus Christ Himself. Because God is the Alpha and Omega, He is above our time. He is the author and finisher of our faith, (as we read in Hebrews 12:1, 2). He’s already written our story and in time past, before the foundation of the world Christ was slain for us as we read in Revelation 13:8. Thus, we see that Christ-followers are already victorious in Him because of His work on the cross. This is why we Christians must “gird up the loins” of our minds. We must practice self-control to stay secure in who Christ has called us to be as joint heirs, and where He’s called us to sit, which is with Him in Heavenly places. Daily we must step into our position in Christ.
As Christ completed what was necessary for our salvation before the foundation of the world, He also completed what was necessary for you and I to daily stay in our seat in Heavenly places. You and I must daily “gird up the loins” of our minds in order to stay in this place of our heavenly seat. It is a matter of self-control and discipline to constantly renew our minds with the Word to stay with Christ in these heavenly places.
We must daily choose to align ourselves with God’s Word. We must daily resist all forms of sin. We must daily pursue holiness. We must daily choose to step into the fullness of God’s love (Ephesians 3:14-21.) Peter doesn’t exhort us to practice holiness and gird up the loins of our minds because God will strike us down if we don’t.
He exhorts us to practice holiness, gird up the loins of our minds, and not fall into the old patterns from our old sin nature or fatherline, because there is a blessing, joy, inheritance, and authority in God’s Kingdom we can each walk in when we stay in our Heavenly Seat and position. Their is an inheritance (Ephesians 1:11) waiting for you and I. It’s sitting there waiting for us. We are missing out on God’s best when we choose to do life our own way, outside of God’s Kingdom. The question for each of us is whether we will choose to step into our place as joint heirs with Christ.
You must understand the Greco-Roman culture 1 Peter was written in. To “gird up the loins of your mind” can also be understood as; “Get ready for hard work.” A Roman Soldier would gird up his loins or tighten his belt to prepare for battle. When it says, “gird up the loins of your mind”, this means to prepare your deep mind for deep thought. It means preparing the mind in its full strength, mental capacity, or capability for serious thought. Pursuing Holiness can require some deep thinking; We must choose to forgive, walk in repentance,and a new pattern of holiness,
Purify your mind by obeying the voice of God! Cry out to Him for salvation today if you do not know Him! Repent of any sin you may be enslaved to. Walk in freedom today and enjoy a life of victory, peace, destiny, and glory in the presence of God! Let today be the first day you come out of the bondage of the past, and walk into the power of Christ and into His glory, holiness and goodness.
Ephesians 3:17-21 “17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Romans 10:13, “13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”