“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
Consider friends from a different country that you know well: Friends from Ireland, Mexico, Lebanon, or the United States. Chances are you can pick out particular national characteristics that they have in common: be it the way they speak or dress, their views on things etc. It’s natural: if you live in a country long enough, you pick up its accent.
The same applies to this age, the world, the society we live in that does not acknowledge Jesus as Lord. It has particular ways of thinking, speaking and acting that are not helpful, but if we are not careful, we will pick them up, since we live in this world. Paul urges us to resist: instead, allow God to change your mind, your ways of looking at things so that you can live a life pleasing to God.
Ask yourself this question today: What’s one area where I think more like the world around me than like Jesus?
This reflection by Martin Steinbereithner is excerpted from the Pray by Day column featured in the Sword of the Spirit website.
Top image credit: Open Bible reflected on a glass table top, photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash. Free to use under the Unsplash License. Quote from Romans 12:2 added.
Martin Steinbereithner is a life-long member of the Servants of the Word. He is the director of Communications and Development for the Servants of the Word. Martin is from Vienna Austria and currently resides at the Brotherhood Center in Chelsea, Michigan USA. He holds a doctorate in organizational behavior.