Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
To conform is to take on the form of another. This basically means that you let go of your identity and form so as to take on the form of another.
As believers we have been transformed from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. This means we have a new nature, a new form, a new way of life and new principles that govern the way we operate. Paul is telling us that now that we have this new nature we should not conform to do things the way the word does things. As long as you are a believer in this world you will always be like a rectangular peg in the midst of round holes. You will not fit. If you find yourself consistently a fit, something is wrong and it’s not with the world it is with you.
In this world you and I will always face the pressure to conform. To do business the way the world does business, to dress the way the world dresses, to talk the way they talk, to raise up our kids the way they raise up their kids, to define marriage and family the way they do, to listen to the kind of music they sing to be entertained by what entertains them and so many other things. Paul says do not even think about it, though you are in this world you are not of this world.
The Bible which is the Constitution of the kingdom we belong to, has clear directions and instructions on how we are to live life.
Being a believer means you will stick out you will be different you will at times seem foolish and even crazy because our Kingdom principles say things the world cannot understand. Things like consider others as better than yourself when the world teaches you to be selfish and put yourself first. Or it’s more blessed to give than receive when the world teaches you to grab as much as you can and hold on to it. Forgive is a foundational Kingdom principle while the world will teach you to get even.
Sometimes it will seem like those who have conformed are getting ahead and they are successful putting pressure on you to also conform but the Bible says their day is coming and what looks like success will soon come to an abrupt end.
Psalm 37:1-2
Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, And wither as the green herb.
Stand your ground and dare to be a rectangular peg in the midst of round holes do not conform for those who endure till the end shall be saved.
In what areas of your life have you conformed to the patterns of this world? What are you going to do about it?
It is said that “what you pour yourself into you become” What is informing you, what are you giving your time to?
What changes are you willing to make in your life to ensure that you do not conform to the patterns of this world?
