RANDOM QUESTION

For today's Random Question, Edie asked us to take Romans 12: 1-2 and discuss any part of it.

I want to look at the phrase "Do not be conformed to this world". What does it mean to not be conformed?

I think a lot of times, we gloss over words or phrases in the scripture. I know I do. I will get one overall mental picture and just accept it as the full meaning. So, when I read this verse, I think something like this: don't be like the world, the world is evil, don't be evil. My overall picture has been created. So what is evil? Well, that's easy, right? - it's lying, cheating, killing, stealing. So then, because of my predilection to skim and overview, in my mind, I've created this nice tidy picture that tells me if I don't lie, cheat, kill or steal then I am not conformed to this world.

Misson accomplished!

Or is it?

The definition of conform is:

(transitive verb): to give the same shape, outline, or contour to : bring into harmony or accord
(intransitive verb)
1: to be similar or identical ; also : to be in agreement or harmony
2 a: to be obedient or compliant
2 b: to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs

synonyms see adapt

Seems like to be conformed might have a lot more depth and dimension than my first overall picture presented, hmm? Which could be why the Bible tells us to study.

We need to look, individually, at how the world views certain values and actions - honesty, integrity, lying, work, debt, social interaction, etc. It would be easy to think, whatever the prevalent standard or custom is - the way this world handles and deals with it - that God is just the opposite, therefore we should be/act opposite of that.

One definition of opposite is to be set against each other or separated by half a circumference; separated by equal distances. Hmmm.... did you read that the definition says just to have the same shape or outline is being conformed? Just resembling this world.... that's not exactly the definition of opposite is it?

Satan's a sneaky snake. He usually doesn't try to have us swallow his deceit hook, line and sinker, at its full face value - we are usually aware enough to not accept it. What he will do is throw out little bitty deceptions that we will chew on. And once that deception is digested, he'll throw us another.

We don't have to be opposite of God to be conformed; if we are just a little bit like this world, we are conformed. If we handle integrity like this world does, we are conformed. If we handle debt like this world handles debt - as is the prevailing custom, in a similar manner - we are conformed to this world. If our lives have the similar shape or contour that this world has then we are conformed to this world.

Once I look deeper into it, my final conclusion is way different than my initial skimmed, glossed-over mental picture, isn't it?

We really do need that renewed mind - the mind of Christ - don't we?