DO NOT CONFORM TO THE WORLD; CONFORM TO THE WORD - PART 1

Today's topic suggests that there are two systems. We have the world system and the Word system. When Paul the Apostle says, "Do not conform to the world, but conform to the word" (paraphrased), he means that a born again Christian isn't supposed to live, act or think like everyone else in the world who isn't saved yet. Every Christian saved by God's grace must train themselves by the Word perspective to live, transact and respond differently in the world we live. But to do this, we must first of all break free from the usual pattern of this world we've mastered and also the mindset established in our lives by this pattern. Lets find out more.

Reference: Romans 12:2 New International Version (NIV) "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."

What is the pattern of this world? It is the recognition of regularities guiding the mindset, focus, system of thought, and the general system of operation in this world. It is acting, speaking, reasoning and functioning from the world's perspective. The pattern of this world is the world system and every human born into this world lives that way by default. When you operate by the pattern of this world, the world and its system will always understand you easily. This is exactly why 1st John 4:5 (NIV) says, "They that are from the world speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them." In other words, the world listens to or easily identifies with those who act by or speak from its viewpoint because they are in conformity with the world's pattern of reasoning.

When your attitude matches the attitudes, beliefs, and behaviour of a group norms, world of political figures or circle of leaders or people that don't fear God, you are being like-minded with them. That is conforming to the pattern of this world. When the norms governing the principles shared by a group of people or society are not Biblical or godly, then the pattern of this world guides their interactions. As Christians, our real-valued godly mindset comes from the Word of God, not from the world. No wonder the Bible says that we are in the world but not of this world. We, as Christians, are not meant to conform to the world, but to conform to the Word. When unbelievers see things or speak from the world's perspective, we ought to be different because of who we are.

So as new creations, what does this mean to us? It means that we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds. You can't afford to conform or function on earth through the lens of the world's opinion or system of reasoning. The Word of God is our agent of mind renewal. We can only be transformed by renewing our minds with its truths and principles. Surely, when you fully yield your mind and system to the ministry of the Word, here is what happens: Overtime, you'll start experiencing a major shift in your thought pattern, which will in turn influence the way you see yourself, the way you associate and interact with others, and the way you respond to the things of God. In fact, you'll start living by the Kingdom perspective, and soon, the world around you will not be able to understand you, because you become wiser by making your day to day decisions and choices with the mind of Christ - which means, from the standpoint of the Word.

Being transformed by the renewing of our mind is a lifestyle of setting ourselves apart, for divine purpose. We must focus our minds on the Lord Jesus by looking unto Him steadily, as the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV). As we do, our minds and conducts will start aligning with His truth and we'll start experiencing a Spirit-led life by yielding daily to the Holy Spirit. That way, we are sure to always understand God's will for our lives and embrace it. Stay tuned for the part two of this wonderful topic. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Proverbs 4:23; John 8:32; Colossians 3:2; Colossians 3:16.

Guided Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank you for counting me worthy of transformation and fit for your Kingdom perspective, as opposed to the spirit and system of the world. By the regular intake of the Word, and the help of your Spirit, my mind is steadily programmed in line with the mind of Christ, which in turn directs my life accordingly and I'm constantly fortified against the pattern and corrupting influences of this world. Daily, I refuse to conform to, comply with or copy the fleeting system of this present world, rather I submit my mind and entire system to the authority of God's Word, thereby functioning and acting under the governing influence of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus' Name, Amen.