Therefore, stand, having girded up your loins in truth ... Ephesians 6:14a
The Apostle Peter explains that “loins” refer to the sensitive part of the mind—the thoughts—in 1 Peter 1:13. We are to begin by protecting what is going through our minds with truth. Truth is defined as seeing things as they really are. This is an important place to begin with the armor, so that we are able to discern when Satan shifts his attack to a different method.
Paul is using a metaphor to instruct us to use truth to protect our thoughts. As Satan seeks to influence the way we think, we are to reject his way and follow God. This involves setting our minds on the things above (Colossians 3:1–2). Our thoughts are now enlightened so that we may see the truth (Ephesians 1:18). Prior to salvation, we were alienated and enemies of God in our thoughts by our wicked works, but now we have been reconciled to God (Colossians 1:21). Satan seeks to persuade us to think in the same way as we did before our salvation. Girding up the loins—the sensitive part of the mind—with truth protects against lying (Acts 5:1–5), guards against gossip (1 Timothy 5:13), and enables us to identify any other attack he may attempt to use against us.
Remember, when it comes to battling demons, the authority of the Church is to stand firm. This is not an offensive battle. We are to take up a defensive stance, refusing to permit Satan to manipulate us into following his lie of independence from God.