1 Peter 1:13-16
13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
“Therefore,” is here to remind us that our salvation is the foundation for what Peter is about to teach us: holy living. To “prepare your mind” is to remove obstacles that prevent you from taking action. The NKJV says, “gird up the loins of your mind.” This analogy comes from the Orientals who wore long robes and were required to gather up the length and “gird” it around their waist with a belt in order to be ready for action.
I like this image since we know that Paul taught us about spiritual armor in Ephesians 6, and we know the “belt” is truth.
Isn’t this interesting?
To gird up, secure with a belt of truth means that we prepare our minds with Truth.
What is truth?
Jesus.
The Word became flesh.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life… (John 14:6)
Jesus is the truth about God. This truth is what renews our minds (Romans 12:1-2). The renewed mind is able to prove what is acceptable and perfect about God’s will.
So here in 1 Peter, we discover our responsibility to take action in preparing our minds with truth in order that we are no longer conformed to the worldly patterns (verse 14). We take action by reading and studying the Bible and by spending time alone with God, praying and listening as His Spirit teaches and guides us.
Our obedience is an exchange of former thought patterns and actions counter to God’s Kingdom, for new Kingdom thoughts, actions and behaviors that make us holy as He is holy.
Holiness is His goal. He tells us to be holy as He is holy. In our own doing, we are greatly incapable. It is only in Christ and His Spirit that we are made new and conformed to His likeness.
To make you and I like Jesus means we must die to the former lusts and ignorance (1 Peter 1:14) and walk in newness of life.
You and I are called to Holiness. Every so often I sit with the Lord and ask Him if there are any areas in my life that I am still clinging to “former” things. My desire is to be holy, therefore, I must go to the One who is Holy!
I encourage you to sit with the Lord and listen to His heart for you.
Father, as we meditate about preparing our minds for action, especially in these uncertain times, I ask You to help us be sensitive to your voice leading, guiding, correcting and teaching us. Draw us more and more to Your Words of Truth that will transform us from the inside out.
We love You, Lord. Have Your way in us, Your servants.
In Jesus name,
Amen