TRUTH*"loins=mind"

"When Paul wrote, "having your loins girt about with truth" (Eph 6:14, KJV), what was he really trying to tell us? Yes, Jesus said He is 'the truth', but there is more to consider in what Paul is saying. First one must understand the literal meaning of this phrase before advancing into the spiritual meaning. The Literal Meaning: Mainstream Christian views on this passage often agree that Paul was in prison and looking at a Roman soldier's uniform when writing this letter to the Ephesians. When Paul mentions, "having your loins girt about with truth" (Eph 6:14, KJV), he is referring to our protecting the pelvic region of the body (which is very vulnerable). This action was common practice for most of the people living in this era, not just the Roman soldiers. To gird your loins during the Roman Era meant to draw-up and tie your lower garment between your legs as to increase your mobility and agility. This prevented the loose ends of the tunic from becoming snagged on something or entangled with your feet which would cause you to stumble or fall down when moving about quickly. How to gird your loins: This was accomplished by pulling up the fabric of the knee-length tunic so the length in front stopped at your upper thigh, and collecting the excess material in your front. (You pull the material forward so the back of your tunic is snug against your backside.) Next, you tuck the extra front material down between your legs and gather it behind you. At this point, you collect half of the material behind you evenly on each side of your back (left and right). The final step involves wrapping each side of the material around your waist and tying it together in front. The Spiritual Meaning: So one part of what Paul is trying to tell people is, "to secure anything that will cause us to stumble or fall down when moving about quickly in the Christian daily battle". We should always be spiritually sharp, alert and ready to respond with spiritual mobility and spiritual agility. With this understanding, we can now examine the things that cause Christians to stumble or fall down in their Christian walk (or faith). A specific list of these things does not exist, however the Bible provides insight into this area starting in the Book of Genesis and ending with Revelation (basically the whole Bible). Instead of discussing a list of things that make Christians fall, let's instead examine where the battleground is found. With this knowledge, we can be better prepared to "stand firm against the schemes of the devil" (Eph 6:11). So where is this battleground? The answer can be found within I Peter 1:13-16 (KJV). "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ: As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, 'Be ye holy; for I am holy'."I Peter 1:13-16 (KJV)Peter is discussing the same thing Paul wrote about in Ephesians 6:14. Both men are trying to help Christians understand the importance of being spiritually mobile and spiritually agile in order to protect, guard, and defend your most vulnerable areas of personal weakness (the old sin nature, temptations, and areas you struggle in daily). The key point in "having your loins girt about with truth" is for Christians to surround or wrap our minds in God's truth and the scriptures (not our own humanistic or personal truth). I Don't Get It: Understanding that the spiritual battleground for the Christian is found within the mind is critical. You can't fight a battle if you don't know where it is. Control of the thoughts we think to ourselves (self-talk) is where the most fierce spiritual battles occur and the average Christian doesn't even know it. This is even more true for the non-Christian who is oblivious to the war."

Prayer:
"Heavenly Father, as I seek to know You and the "truth" that is in You, I pray that your Holy Spirit leads and guides me and protects me from the things that trouble my mind. I pray for your healing power to continue to flow through my veins, and be that still small voice of truth to my soul. Remind me to "take captive" every thought by realizing if it brings me down with a heavy load, it's NOT from YOU! "