Have you noticed that all the exercise gurus are now focusing on core strength exercises? No longer do you just exercise your arms, legs, stomach and back etc. to get a good workout. Now a day the focus of a well thought out training program is about developing core strength first and foremost. But why?
What is Core Strength?
Physical fitness experts now understand what yoga teachers and dancers have known and practiced all along. Core strength is associated with the overall physical fitness of the entire body. Your core is what bible writers referred to as the loins...the idea was to prepare, i.e. gird your loins. It’s that part of your body that ties everything else together…it is the center of gravity and the fulcrum for all our movement, stability and strength. So one way to gird your loins is to develop core strength.
Where is the Core?
Anatomically, it is the region that which is below the belly button and above your hip joints. More importantly the core is referring to the inner and outer muscular structure of your diaphragm, pelvic floor, obliques, and spine. Without core strength – that is having strength in the deeper muscles of your core – one is more likely to incur injury. Wikipedia defines the loins as the sides between the lower ribs and pelvis, and the lower part of the back.
The Mind is our Spiritual Core
Just as our physical core provides strength and stability for our entire body, the mind is our spiritual core. Instead of muscles in our core that provide strength and stability to our whole body, in our mind we have truth and doctrine that provides strength and stability for our whole spirit man. In Ephesians 6:13-14 Paul wrote “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth…” (KJV). Every good soldier knows that if he is going to remain stable and strong in battle the loins of his body or in other words his core must be strong. Peter completes the picture for us when he said “Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13 (NKJV)
The Waist is Not the Loins
In the NKJV and NIV the Greek word osphus from Ephesians 6:14 and 1 Peter 1:13 is translated waist. Unfortunately the word waist does not convey the depth of meaning that loins does in this context. To Gird ones waist is very different then to gird your loins – your core – the fulcrum of your body’s strength and stability. To have the loins of your mind girded with truth is to be strong or prepared in the knowledge of God. It is to have your whole mind filled with the personal knowledge of God so that all your spiritual strength, stability and motion flows from truth based on God’s Holy Word.
Gird Your Mind with Truth
Proverbs 4:23 admonishes “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” The heart is the seat of the mind. Our emotional and relational problems are largely the result of a mind that is lacking core strength, a mind that is not girded up with truth. There is only one way to gird your mind with truth and that is by using the same self-discipline you would to participate in a regular physical fitness routine. Set your sights on strengthening your mind with truth through regular Bible study, meditation and memorization.
To help you set your commitment of developing core spiritual strength, Christian-Counseling-Online is offering a special 30 day spiritual formation study entitled Made Like Christ. This 30 day intensive Bible study incorporates Bible study, and scripture meditation through weekly studies and daily devotionals. For more information on how to “gird your loins" with the all important truth of what it means to be Made Like Christ follow this link.
