Be in the World, Not of the World
Romans 12:2 - 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."
One of the things I struggle with is the saying to “be in the world, but not of the world”.
It’s so hard to “NOT conform to the pattern of this world”. And there is definitely a pattern. Strive to be successful and financially wealthy so you can have whatever you want. The “American Dream”. Be like everyone else. Conform. Don’t “rock the boat”.
It is too easy to go with the flow of what is going on around us. As I was growing up I have seen people in my life who have made things in this world and activities more important than they should be. And God has taken a back seat or maybe He’s not even in the car!
I have struggled with not making the world more important than my God. One of my mantras is “Go with the flow” and I try to be easy going and accommodating. I don’t think it’s necessarily bad to go with the flow if I am following God’s plan for my life, but how do I know what’s my will and what is God’s will?
In Romans, Paul explains that instead of conforming to the pattern of this world, we should be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Then we will be able to test and know what God’s will is.
God’s will is described as “good, pleasing and perfect”. My desire is to live my life in God’s will because His plan for me will ALWAYS be better than what I think is best. And His plans are definitely better than what the world thinks we should do and be.
How do I renew my mind?
Transformation comes from time spent in God’s Word. Every time I read the Bible something gets highlighted and changes my perspective on things.
Transformation comes from worshipping God and really focusing on Him, not the people around us. This is an area where the enemy attacks me the most. As I start to worship, thoughts start racing through my mind, like, “What if people are looking at me, what are the thinking of me?” “If I look like I’m really worshipping God, maybe it will inspire other people to do the same”. (There’s a bit of a pride problem there.) The focus starts leaving God and starts focusing on myself and what others think of me; the fear of man. The fear of what others think of us is a driving force behind keeping us from what God has for us.
Transformation comes from my gratitude towards God. Thankfulness and gratitude are so important for transforming my mind. It directs me to focus on God and all He’s done for me. When I’m thanking God and letting Him know how grateful I am, I can’t help but be focused on Him. Being a grateful person changes the way I view everything in my life and the way I view people in my life. Gratitude has produced joy and appreciation in my life.
So really the question should be not “How do I renew my mind”, but instead should be “How does God renew my mind?”
God does all the work in renewing my mind, He just asks me to trust and obey Him. I read or heard in one of my devotions, “My job is obedience, God’s job is everything else.”
By spending time with God in His Word, in worship and prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude, He renews my mind and I no longer want to be conformed to this world. I want to be transformed by God and be in His good, pleasing and perfect will.
In what ways does God help you to renew your mind and keep you from conforming to the pattern of this world?
Ask God to help you, He is always there to meet you right where you are.
Blessing in Our Lord Jesus Christ!
Allyson Hara
