Romans 12:2 reminds us of the importance of the mind in living the Christian life. The phrase, “Do not be conformed to this world” indicates the battle for the mind that is taking place in the heart of each person. The verb here “conformed” is a passive imperative, the passive indicating that conformation is something we allow to be done to us, and the imperative indicating a command, not a suggestion. We must stop allowing ourselves to be fashioned after the present evil age which we live. The word “World” here is better rendered, “age,” referring to the world system now dominated by Satan, “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Because of Satan’s influence it is not uncommon for us to be tempted to float downstream in our thinking. We want to enjoy the world’s entertainment, the world’s fashions, the world’s vocabulary, the world’s music, and many of the world’s attitudes – even when those things clearly do not conform to the standards of God’s Word. That sort of living is unacceptable to God, and unworthy of those who are called followers of God. The way we overcome those temptations, is to have our minds renewed by the Word of God, David wrote in Psalm 119:11 “Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might sin against You.” David understood that everything around him cried out for him to be conformed to the thinking and ideology of the Word. It was essential that he fill his mind and heart with the truths of God’s Word in order to stand against the temptations brought on by this world. This process only comes by study (2 Timothy 2:15), and by diligently seeking the Word and its application to the circumstances of our lives. Every follower of Christ needs to understand the Word, and hid it in their heart, are you taking time each day to give yourself counsel through the truths of God’s Word. Why not start right now!
