Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 ESV

Do not agree with or do the things of the this world as others do, or
even be compliant with the prevailing standards of a sinful society; rather change how you think about and view the world – through the knowledge of God, so you will be able to recognize God’s will for your life. (Based on verse mapping of Romans 12:2)

This familiar verse in Romans takes on a richer, fuller meaning when we take time to define ‘conform’ and ‘transform’ to more thoroughly understand Paul’s warnings to the early Christians and us.

He expects us not to be a part of the world, but we also should not agree with or comply with the standard of prevalent sin within society. Another definition for conform is harmony, meaning we should not allow ourselves to become swayed by society’s pressures to be in unity with the demands of anti-Christian agendas and social issues of the day.

As Christians, we don’t often take a bold stand against social norms because we do not want to be perceived as someone who does not show the love of Christ. But the blood of Christ, sacrificed for our sins to transform us into a new creation, requires a bold stand against the ungodly mentality of a sinful people.

The only way we will ever be able to know where the line in the sand begins and ends is by knowing His Word and allowing it to transform, or change, the way we think and the character we display to the world. If we don’t spend time in the Bible reading what God says to us, we won’t know what side of the line we should stand on, because let’s face it, if we are ignorant in the Word, the world’s rationale can sound very convincing.

Often the enemy will come to us with a “bleeding-heart” mentality. He will use God’s Word against us, twisting it as he did with Eve in the very beginning. There will be just enough truth to the lie to cause us to cross over the line, thinking we are showing Godly love to our neighbor, when in fact, we have compromised the very Word we say we cherish.

Now more than ever, Christians must know what the Word of God says. We won’t learn what He says through browsing social media and letting someone else do our Bible studying for us, regurgitating their version of the Word (and, yes, that even includes this blog and all of the writers here at Real Women). It is so very vital we become students of Jesus, asking Him to sit with us daily and show us Himself in the Word.

This is why it is not just our goal but our passion to point you to Jesus at every step of the way. I’m sure we will get it wrong sometimes; after all, we are human. And when we do, I pray you will graciously take us by the hand and show us in His Word where we missed it. That is what this community of women is all about – keeping each other accountable to the Word, encouraging each other to seek Him, and loving each other enough to come alongside and point us back to Him when we take too many steps near the line.

Lord, I pray You will gather Your girls together in community to point each other to You and to lift Your name above the noise of the crowd. I pray You will faithfully show Yourself to us as we seek to know You more through Your Word. Father, I ask that You help us when we miss the mark; gently bring us back to Your Word through the encouragement of our sisters. Jesus, I thank You for Your sacrifice that makes it possible for us to renew our way of thinking and not be swayed by the popular agenda of the crowd. Lord, guide us as we seek to honor You. In Jesus’ Name – Amen.

Cross References 

1 John 2:15
Ephesians 4:23
Colossians 3:10
1 Peter 1:14-15