Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing, and perfect will. ~ Romans 12:2
The word "conform" reminds me of the character Smith from the movie Matrix Revolutions. As you watch the movie Smith will touch another person (or program) and as he does so, he will take over that person's body and will fashion them after himself, producing several copies of himself. The word conform in this scripture is the Greek word syschēmatizō, meaning "to conform one's self (mind or character) to another's pattern," (blueletterbible.org). The word "transform," however, reminds me of what a caterpillar does each year when it becomes a butterfly; it changes into a whole new creation. The prefix "trans" means to change thoroughly.
In this scripture, we are being commanded to not allow the world--anything that is not of God--to wrap itself around us so that it begins to pattern our minds and actions after those things. Instead, we are to become a new creation by renewing our minds through the study of God's Word. In essence, if we do nothing, we will become one of "Smith's" victims and become a copy of him, in one of the patterns of this world. But if we resist by locking our minds and actions on the things of God, we are promised to be changed into something new, something beautiful, something glorious. It is only then, with our minds, eyes, and hearts locked on God that we will be able to recognize what God's will is-His good, pleasing, and perfect will for our lives.
~Heather Potts~
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