Called to Be Holy

I was talking with our son this morning and he was sharing a lesson that he presented to his church men’s group. I asked if it was okay to share on my blog as I feel it is something that the world needs to hear. Be blessed as you read this passage by our guest writer, Brent Llewellyn.

Preparing your mind for action. Other translations say to  ”gird up the loins of your mind”. Back in the days of men wearing robes it was hard to work when you were tripping over it. Before going into the fields they would tie up their robes around their waist so that they were ready to work. 

We have a calling as men of God to be holy, set apart, different from the world so that they can see Christ through our lives. This means giving up the things we used to do, the people we used to be, and being obedient to Him. That’s not always an easy thing to do when Satan is actively seeking to destroy our fellowship with God and our witness. 1 Peter 5:8 says “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

He is smart. He knows your strengths and weaknesses and waits patiently for the perfect timing to pounce. We need to be watchful and ready for when he does and that means putting in the work. When a soldier is not in battle he is training so that when the battle starts he knows his weapon,  his tactics, and his enemy’s tactics. He studied them before the battle started, he didn’t wait for the battle to rage to come up with a plan.

We too must prepare our minds for action, gird up our loins, and put in the work. We must know how to defend and where we will run to when we grow weary so that we can be ready when the enemy strikes. 

God is our strength, our fortress, our ever present help in trouble but just saying that isn’t enough. We need a specific plan that we turn to when we are under attack. Dig deep, what are the passions of your former ignorance that Satan can use as a foothold? Bring them to God and prepare your mind for action.

God, thank you for Your Word and for being our strength and fortress. Please reveal to us our weaknesses. Show us where we fail you. Help us to see the areas of our lives that hinder our fellowship with You and give the devil a stronghold. God, I pray that you would then reveal to us Your promised way of escape so that when we are faced with the battle we will be ready to run to You and stand in Your might. Amen