As I’ve read the Bible, I’ve come across an interesting and awkward sounding phrase. Look at these two verses:
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;”
Luke 12:35 “Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;”
“Gird up your loins.” O.O
Of course, I’m looking at the old-fashioned, Old English, sometimes-weirdly-worded King James version when I see that phrase. Other translations say things like this:
“Be ready!” “Stay dressed for action!” “You must keep your belts fashioned.” “Be ready for action!”
So why put the uncomfortable phrase “gird your loins” in this blog post? Because that’s what we as young men need to do if we aren’t going to be spiritual sissies! Let me explain.
In biblical times everybody would wear robes. But as you can imagine, whenever a man was doing physical activity like working, running, or fighting in battle, the loose hanging robe around his ankles had the potential to get in his way. Therefore men would wear a special kind of belt called a girdle (which now has an unfortunate connotation in our minds so I’m just going to call it a belt ha!) that once wrapped around their waist, there was enough slack to pull the remaining section of the belt in between their legs to pin up the loose folds of the robe to create the effect of shorts or pants. They would do this to be ready for physical action if they were expecting a battle (Deuteronomy 1:41) or if they were going to need to run (1 Kings 18:46). It was associated with being a man, especially one who is ready for war. Many belts were also used to carry weapons and water into the battle (Judges 3:16; 1 Samuel 25:13). A girdle or “war belt” (which sounds way cooler) was a prized possession (1 Samuel 18:4; 2 Samuel 18:11). Without girding your loins you would be tripping over your own clothing and would be an easy, unprepared, and ill-fitted target.
That’s why God sometimes told His prophets to gird their loins like men! (Job 38:3; Jeremiah 1:17) It’s also why He commands us to “Stand therefore having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate of righteousness!” (Ephesians 6:14) He wants His men to be ready for battle! We need to be prepared because our soul, the souls of those around us, and the very truth itself will be attacked and we are the ones to defend it! Don’t run away from the fight like a sissy! Be ready for battle! Gird up your loins like man and let’s fight for the faith together!
Do you feel lethargic or sense a battle around us?
Are you prepared to stand against the onslaught against truth our culture bombards us with in the media, schools and entertainment?
How does one prepare himself for a spiritual battle?
Are you prepared with the truth to answer questions your friends might pose to you about God? (1 Peter 3:15)
Read Jude 1:3. What are ways we can earnestly contend for the faith?
Other reference verses to look up: Exodus 12:11; Exodus 29:9; 1 Samuel 25:13; 1 Kings 18:46; 2 Kings 4:29; 2 Kings 9:1; Job 38:3; Job 40:7; Psalm 45:3; Proverbs 31:17; Isaiah 5:27; Isaiah 11:5; Acts 12:8.
Written by Jonathan
Rev. Jonathan Cronkhite has been serving youth and families in full time
ministry for the last 23 years. With the heart of a pastor, he encourages and equips families to have Homes Devoted, through conferences, workshops, coaching and writing. Married to Carrie for 22 years, they have 5 children, run a home school co-op, drama club and invite 50 people over once a month for airsoft battles.
