The Apostle Peter begins his letter by reminding his readers of the greatness and glory of salvation. He then declares the dynamic duty that is born in the heart of the gospel. Gospel truth will lead to gospel living. If the salvation which has redeemed the believer is so vital, dynamic and positive, the living out should reflect these attributes.

Peter writes in 1 Peter 1:13, “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.”

This metaphor is taken from the form of dress that was common in his day. It is a loose outer garment that reaches down to the feet. To prevent this long garment from becoming a hindrance in times of action, a girdle was worn around the waist into which the ends could be tucked. This metaphor is teaching the believer to be mentally alert.

The Holy Spirit should take control of the conscious and unconscious mind of the believer. The long garment is a type of thought process which can become a listless lounging and careless wandering that gets in the way when a battle is presented.

Sometimes the believers do not set their affections on things above.

Colossians 3:1-4 reads, “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye appear with him in glory.”

A long, loose garment can cause a man to stumble, and loose thinking can create loose living. When the believer’s mind is set on the Glorious Redeemer and the blessed plan of redemption, the thought is disciplined by the Holy Spirit, and life is channeled into the will of God. Satan’s purpose is to divert this process by careless thoughts and an undeveloped mind which is mostly carnal and not spiritual.

Romans 8:5,6 tells us, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death: but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Another reason to gird up the loins of the mind is to be aware of the enemy, the devil. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,” 1 Peter 5:8.

There is the story of an African native who was attacked by a lion and was severely hurt. He survived, but periodically the pain would return to the old wound, and the man would relive in his mind the horror of the attack. Although one is delivered from the devil, loose thinking can bring back vivid reminders of the sinful past and the old fears and the mind can be devoured by the enemy.

In current society, the need to gird up is a priority. This is not positive thinking nor optimism. It is a mind that is concentrated by the Holy Spirit to focus on the Lord.