“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)
In every environment, it is much easier to conform to the status quo rather than dare to challenge and change it. Why? Trying to change the current system is hard, and attempts to do so often lead to frustration and failure. It is much easier to go with the flow – we do not ruffle anyone’s feathers, and we are assured of acceptance when we just follow what has been established rather than challenge it. Why is the Scripture asking us to be transformers rather than conformers in our society? Will we not get along better if we just go with the flow?
We can see that the Bible tells us not to conform to the world. The “world” the Bible refers to is not the physical world but the values, goals, attitudes, and desires that are not conformed to God’s will. These are usually centred on one’s self, seeking short-sighted pleasures and success in life and denial of Godly values and morals.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life – is not from the Father but is from the world.”
1 John 2:15-16 (ESV)
The “world” that we see around us is so prevalent. It is very difficult to stand up against the world, and it is the status quo. Why?
“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.”
1 John 5:19 (ESV)
Our battle is God’s battle – and we are His warriors
So, our battle to transform the world and not to conform is a spiritual battle.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)
We are not battling just against ways of thinking but against dark forces in the heavenly realm. Our battle is God’s battle, and we are His warriors.
Where do the battles happen? They can happen in our office break times, in the classroom, or in a chat between friends and acquaintances. The battle happens whenever values, morals, attitudes, and ideals are promoted either for God’s ways or against God’s ways. We are usually part of these environments, and it is up to us whether we conform to the worldly environment or try to transform the environment in God’s favour.
Inner transformation begins with the Word of God
Before we can battle for Godly values and ways, we must know and live them out first. Only by reading and living out the Word of God do we first experience inner transformation. We cannot battle against the world if we are ill-equipped and untrained in knowing and living out God’s ways. We also need a good environment where the norm is not of the world but Godly ways. We can find these through Christian fellowship and communities. When we thrive in living and engaging with other Christians, we can effectively detect worldly ways and values and battle against them.
How else can we become transformers in the world rather than conformers? We must take the initiative to lead conversations so they are Godly rather than worldly. It is easy to keep quiet during conversations where worldly values are promoted, but we need to, at times, with discretion, share Godly values and ways. Our tone when we speak should not be judgmental or sound “holier than thou,” but we rather sound like a leper pointing to the healer of leprosy. We want to win and influence others in Godly ways by the way we behave, speak, and relate.
We pay a price when we choose to be transformers rather than conformers. We can easily be judged or labelled. We can be persecuted, even laughed at sometimes. We can also be bullied or mistreated if we do not accept the status quo. We can be rejected or despised. Many times, we would lose the battle for our conversations to be Godly. But being transformers of the world is what God is asking us to do in this war for the hearts and minds of our families and friends. Winning one soul alone is worth our humiliation and rejection.
God’s kingdom will prevail
Being transformers of the world is like trying to walk against a great flood with strong currents going against us. It can frighten and overwhelm us. We need to be continually immersed in God’s word, the Holy Spirit, and with other warriors fighting the same cause. We need to remember, too, that we are on the winning side – the world’s ways are slowly dying away. The One Kingdom that will stand is God’s Kingdom, and we must remember always that we are on God’s winning side. Let us become less and less conformers and more and more transformers in all our environments.
Top image credit: illustration of Shield of Faith and Cross, from © SermonView.com – Design Number DS-1435, used with permission of SermonView for non-commercial purpose.
Tom Caballes is a National Coordinator of the Lamb of God, a community of the Sword of the Spirit with seven branches located throughout New Zealand. Tom and his wife Mhel and their two daughters [with his son-in-law and grand-daughter] live in Wellington, New Zealand.