Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
It is so easy to get distracted by things in the world. There are so many “influencers” and people who like to tell you how to dress, act, what to eat, what to think and how to spend your time. After being immersed with so much “wisdom” on how to get attention and how to be accepted, we forget how to be who God created us to be.
We often spend too much of our time on social media watching random videos about people we don’t know. Even when we are with friends, everyone is looking at their phones. We are slowly losing the opportunity and ability to show kindness and love to people. “Liking” or posting a sad face is the extent of our involvement.
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Mark 8:36
Conformity sneaks up on you. I was driving home from work last Friday. I was on back roads to avoid all the traffic. I came to a road block and had to detour. I was frustrated about the inconvenience. I was only thinking about myself. There was a bad wreck. I had to rethink my attitude. Instead of being frustrated, I had to renew my mind and pray for those involved. God also reminded me of the lyrics from Josiah Queen’s song “Things That Matter”: “Help me see the world through Your eyes; 'til what breaks your heart is breaking mine.”
Satan has been convincing people to think like him since the Garden of Eden. The Old Testament has many examples of God warning the Israelites not adopt the behavior of other societies. But they often conformed to the behavior and gods of other cultures, and God let them suffer the consequences. We are no different. Why is it that we want to be like everyone else? There isn’t anything really wrong with wanting to wear what is in style, or eat good food, but too much conforming can leave us frustrated because the world is always changing what is popular and we have to constantly change to keep up.
We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 1 John 5:19
Since we know that the world is under the control of the evil one, how do we prevent ourselves from conforming to it? “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Transformed (3339) - change of place or condition. Transformed is in the Passive Voice which indicates that this process is being performed by an outside force, the Holy Spirit. Transformed is also present tense, signifying that this is not a one-time event, but a gradual process.
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
It is not that we have to stop doing all of the things that the world is doing, but that we do them in ways that will bring God glory. We are called to display the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. We need the knowledge of scripture and the Holy Spirit’s help to not conform to the ungodly ways of the world.
A scuba diver lives in the water but breathes the air. He is able to function because he takes his environment with him. If he conforms to the environment around him, he will eventually die! (unknown author)
We have to take Jesus with us wherever we go. We can’t leave Him at church on Sunday. We have to be in His Word every day. The Scriptures were not given for our information, but for our transformation.(D.L. Moody)
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14
Let God’s word renew your mind with truth that never changes. Internet influencers are popular one day and gone the next. God will not leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). His will is good, pleasing and perfect.
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