I was reading this last week in Ephesians 6. Ephesians 6:14 (KJV) –14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; In the Amplified Ephesians 6:14 (AMP) –14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,” So I began thinking about the loins. Sounds like a funny way to put things? Old and New Testament culture will help us in identifying what this means. Here is a picture of girding up your loins.
If someone was to run or go to battle they would gird up their clothing so as not to hinder themselves. This would give them greater mobility in what they needed to do. Also, the belt would hold up their clothing. The belt of a Roman soldier was a wide leather belt that held their sword and any other thing for battle. It also covered their loins. Their reproductive parts. In Proverbs and Psalms “lions” was used figuratively to represent the seat(or center) of emotions, affections, temperament, and vigor–Psalm 16:7, Proverbs 23:16. Also referred to lower back muscles below the ribs and between the hips to stand straight up or pivot at the waste. Other words for loins are kidneys or reins.
The loins, reins, kidneys, and inward parts can fugitively mean the mind- Psalm 73:21, Jeremiah 31:33, Psalm 51:6, Psalm 16:7, Proverbs 23:16. God desires truth in the inward parts. The Apostle Peter mentions this as well in 1 Peter 1:13 (AMP) –13 So brace (gird) up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed. It means to ready your mind, your thinking. To prepare for action. Your conscience is also influenced by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit in making the right decisions. Romans 9:1 (AMP) 1 I AM speaking the truth in Christ. I am not lying; my conscience [enlightened and prompted] by the Holy Spirit bearing witness with me.’
It is intersecting that the scriptures use of the word kidneys. The kidneys provide a vital function in our bodies. They cleanse the blood of toxins and transform waste into urine. They balance the bodily fluids. They regulate other chemicals in our body to keep them at the right levels. It stimulates red blood cells to fight diseases and regulates blood pressure. If we take this to mean figuratively. The mind, the soul is a filter, a regulator. It’s the ability to remove negative thinking. To help us regulate our feelings and emotions. To give us the right reasoning and perceptions. The Word of God brings balance to our lives. We need to be governed by the truth of God’s Word. “His Word is truth”-John 17:17. In the medical world, Kidney failure is not good. It can affect your whole body seriously and negatively. I submit that mental failure is not good as well. In Proverbs 23:7 (AMP) -7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. You are the total of your ongoing thinking good or bad. Matthew 12:35 (KJV) –35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. Matthew 12:34 (NKJV) –34 … For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The word heart (Combination of spirit and soul) can also mean the soul (Mind) part of man. You are what you think a lot of times. That is why renewing our minds with God’s Word is so important.
We live in a culture that is full of half-truths and lies. The Devil is the father of lies and in him is no truth- John 8:44. Whether it’s the T.V., radio, books, or the internet, we need to filter everything through God’s Word. Be a good kidney ok! We need to regulate our lives through the truth of God’s Word. If we are going to be healthy and prosper in our souls we need to produce the right thinking- 3 John 2. It can drastically change the way we are living for the better. Romans 12:1-2 (KJV) –1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. If we are going to know God’s will we can’t neglect His Word. His will is the Word of God. This is how we are to live. Matthew 4:4 (NKJV) –4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Do you know that we escape the corruption that is in the world through the promises of God. 2 Peter 1:4 (NKJV)-4 by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Also, Jesus said in Luke 12:35 (AMP) –35 Keep your loins girded and your lamps burning.” Luke 12:35 (PassionNTPsa) 35 -“Be prepared for action at a moment’s notice.” Why? Because we are contending with the Devil, the world, and the flesh.
In Ephesians 6 we are to put on the Armor of God. We are in a spiritual battle. A lot of times the battle is about six or eight inches long. It is right between our ears. The Word of God is our spiritual sword. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (KJV) -4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; This is our responsibility. God can’t do our thinking for us. Nobody else can do our thinking for us. Failure in mind renewal is dangerous. The enemies’ deception abounds. Only by knowing the truth can we counteract it. Mature Christian faith is discerning both good and evil. Hebrews 5:14 (KJV)–14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Growing in doctrine and practice is essential for a healthy Christian life. Otherwise, we will be easily deceived by the world and the Devil. If we are going to stand up straight and pivot in the right direction when temptation, trials, and persecution come we need the Word of God. We need to be clothed with Christ, who is the living Word. Romans 13:14 (AMP) -14 But clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), and make no provision for [indulging] the flesh [put a stop to thinking about the evil cravings of your physical nature] to [gratify its] desires (lusts). Again this is our responsibility. This is what it means to be a mature believer in Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NKJV) -18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. The mirror of God’s Word tells who we are in the spirit. Let’s not forget what we look like in God’s mirror by walking away. Gird up the loins of your mind. Don’t let wrong attitudes, emotions, and wrong thinking hinder you in your good fight of faith. 1 Timothy 6:12 (NKJV) -12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Otherwise, it will only trip you up as you run the race that is before you. Hebrews 12:1
If this has been an encouragement to you please let us know and share with a friend. Thank you!
God bless.
Brent and Linda