Romans 12:2

NASB – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 

NLT – Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 

VOICE – Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete. 

Conformed and Transformed

When Paul says to not be conformed to the world, it refers to the present age. It describes the values and practices that are contrary to God’s will. (Remember, we described God’s will as centering on love and justice; continuing revelation; inclusion; and original goodness.) Historically, the early Christian in Rome faced pressures to conform to Roman norms, which often conflicted with Christian teachings. This call to non-conformity is shown through Scripture, which centers on resisting the moral and ethical standards that are not aligned with God’s kingdom. 

Transformation is defined as a fundamental change in character and conduct. It happens through the “renewal of our mind.” This transformation is a continuous process of spiritual growth and understanding. It involves immersing ourselves in Scripture, prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The result of the transformation will lead to the ability to discern God’s will. Understanding God’s will involves spiritual maturity and insight, created through dedicating your life to following Christ. 

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: How have you seen this transformation happen in your life? Do you find your words and actions aligning to God’s will during this season of your life? 

Society’s Norms vs. God’s Will

God’s will centers on love for others and working towards justice. God’s will is that we will understand His truth for humanity as we mature in our relationship with Him. God’s will is for all people. God’s will helps us see that people have inherent goodness in them, instead of being inherently evil. This is the broader message of Scripture, not just from Romans 12:2. If all these things are God’s will, what was the Romans society pushing to contrast this? 

In Rome, people were to call Caesar “lord,” which obviously clashed with Christians at the time with Jesus as lord. There was a rigid societal hierarchy that showed a person’s value through their status, power, and title. Favors and loyalty to powerful elites shaped daily life and survival. Moral norms often included exploiting the poor, enslaved, and women as culturally acceptable and expected. How you looked to others mattered more than inner transformation. This hits way too close to home for us. 

Society pushes that success in this world is defined by productivity, instead of our character. God’s will is for us to commit our minds to God’s word and become more like Him each day. We’re not called to live up to society’s standards, but to the standards God set for us. To love him with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength and to love each other as He has loved us. 

There’s a societal pressure to fit it in – politically, culturally, etc. – even when it goes against what we believe. We are so pushed to be liked, that we are often taught that it requires a sacrifice to who we are. That’s not what God meant by inclusion. To be included means to come as you are and be loved and treated with the same care, compassion, and respect as you treat others. It’s not about molding yourself to them, it’s about the Holy Spirit residing inside of you and sharing it to them. I was a part of a Christian community for a little bit a few years ago. They had invited me through the work they saw with my blog and wanted me to join in. It was alright at first, but as time went on I learned that our views are different. When they started with pro-Israel posts, when they supported the death of Renee God, when they showcased the support of excluding LGBTQ+ Christians – I started to get more vocal, and then started to move away from their community. I wanted to be included. I was yearning for that inclusion, but I wasn’t going to sacrifice the teachings that God has instilled in me to stay with Christians that voice the harm to those in marginalized communities. 

The systems that we have tend to normalize inequality or overlook justice. There have been plenty of voices to say that we have problems in the United States, voiced with reasonable solutions to make this work. However, people who abuse their powers, follow the pockets of lobbyists instead of their constituents, and look away from the actual work that needs to be done. They will focus on what is best for them, and them alone, regardless of how many people it hurts. God calls us to love others and works toward justice, but our systems fall apart in this capacity. We need a radical overhaul of systems, and it starts with us. Voting for those that will look out for the people, supporting non-profits that try to bridge gaps, and getting out to be the hands and feet of Christ. 

What we see on social media does not equate to real life. Often it’s a glorified image of the societal success that we tend to showcase. It creates this comparison of lives that shows that we may not be where they are, and it sucks. We don’t see the blood, sweat, and tears about how they got there, either positive or negative. We tend to view those people as arrogant, prideful, and egotistical. We have this inner hatred of them because of our jealousy. This fuels how we view those around us. But their struggles are often hidden, and our focus should be on understanding and compassion. If we started to look for inner goodness, imagine how much positivity we can share through the world. 

REFLECTION CHECKPOINT: Breaking down these societal norms, which one do you see yourself falling into? How can you change that to align yourself with God’s will?