Be not conformed to this world

I was the other night reading from the gospel of Matthew, and i came to chapter 17 and when Jesus goes up to the mountain, and as it says Mat 17:2 And was [b]transfigured[/b] before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

and i meditated upon this for a wile, i thought about it, and i remember once i heard a sermon by Gerhard de toit where he mentions this word is the same as in hebrews it says "enoch was [b]translated[/b]"

and i thought about this and i looked in a concordance, and i saw this word also in ROM 12:2 and i began reading that verse, and you all know this verse

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

and i was thinking about this, and this world stood out to me, [b]conformed[/b] ,

what is it to conform to the world?

it is clear we should transform, translate, from this kingdom of earth to the hevanly kingdom. Old man to the New man. and so on....

but this word conformed, i looked in strongs and it said something very interesting

that this word in the greek, is not an inward conformity but an outward

the word that implies the inward is [i]summorphos[/i] 4832

so this is an conformity tn the outward...

it goes on and says

[i]suschematizo[/i] (4964) stresses outward conformity and means to shape one thing like another and describes what is transitory, changeable and unstable.

[b]TRANS'ITORY[/b], a. [L. transitorius.] Passing without continuance; continuing a short time; fleeting; speedily vanishing.

seems to me that the wordly "pop-culture" and its trends its music, its style, is to be conforming to the world.

what is popular in the world should not be so hasty embraced by us maybe? i am thinking dont be conformed to the outward for the moment popular things in the world, music styles, and looks, certain clothing that may be so to speak "pop" in for the moment... and maybe even more things that many say are ok in our churches....these are just my thoughts as to this mini study....

anyone have some thoughts about this?

Christian

EDIT: I posted in the wrong forum by mistake, it should have gone under the Scripture section

Reply to hmmhmm and agree all should hear Him!

Conformed to the world is just the apposite to bowing to the will of God. Bowing in prayer is to bend in body, soul and spirit to God and acknowledge His glory and sovereignty, asking for daily understanding and the forgiveness of our sins. Dare we proceed into the Almighty Gods realm and by ignorance and question God’s Sovereignty , his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure?

Dan. 4:25,
That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.

Dan. 4-35And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Rom. 9:15-23
For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

1Tim. 6:
Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
17. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18. That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19. Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Rev. 4:11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created

[url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=16208]Don Currin Revival Conference 2007[/url] "those on the narrow road are narrow minded"

Rom 12:2 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 know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.

NLT

Christian, This seems to me to be a fairly simple concept to not conform to this world, but even my wife and I will disagree sometimes over what is the world. Dean Taylor from Charity did a sermon entitled Soul Idolatry that dealt with the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life that all sin comes from (like all color comes from three primary colors). With this understanding, it is a little easier to identify what the world and the things of the world are. Once we understand that, we can see if we are "loving" those things or "conforming" to them. I have a few simple principles that I live by and my "simple" rule for this is if the world (the majority of people since we know Christians will be the few) is running to something, i as a Christian should be going in the opposite direction. This is helpful in some of the confusing areas such as "christian entertainment". If the world loves it, it probably is not Christ, because we know that the world will not love Christ. It may be funny or entertaining, but it's not good for me.

Good topic to ponder and meditate on because it is so easy to justify and become enamored by the world and it's pleasures, but don't the scriptures say that the love of the Father won't be in us if we chase the world? Blessings, Barry

Christian and Barry,

Interesting .... Christian, the point you made about the non-conformity specifically meaning outward is sobering....

Now I have a question for you two - or anyone else, for that matter -: how do you think that will look like in the practical? where the rubber meets the road? How has it impacted [i][b]your [/b][/i] life?

I am not interested in debate, just an honest exchange of how God is changing you in this area of living.

Blessings,
ginnyrose

I agree that we should not be comforted to this world; however, I think we are missing a very large concept.

When we talk about not being conformed to this world, we automatically jump to not being conformed to them in a negative sense. That is, we jump to things we won't do like the world. In other words, we won't listen to their music, we won't wear clothes like them, etc.

However, it would be beneficial if we started looking at things in the positive sense. That is, we will love God, love others sacrificially, pray for our enemies, turn out other cheek, go the extra mile to be friendly and caring for others, etc.

If you just look at the negative sense and not the positive sense, our religion is in vain. We need to remember both.

How has it impacted your life?

well.... I do not listen to such music that could be mistaken for being worldly, i used to listen to hip hop and rap, because the world programed me to like such music, the society and worldly friends brainwashed me from very young to like such music. So when God saved me from the world i do not want to go back, i also notice such music "speaks" to my flesh, that baseline and rhythm just triggers my flesh and it brings memories and attitudes from my past life.

I choose not to dress so that i could be mistaken for one who follows that which is popular in the world, i do not change my hairstyle and clothes when the world does. I try to always have such respectful clothes i could greet anyone in my society and come into their house without my clothes being an offense to them, and if i where given a chance to witness to the monarch of sweden i could. Clean and nice clothes without the "rebellious" look and as an outcast of society. I used to dress that way

I choose not to go to public baths, one of the reasons besides i am unsure christians should show off their body's at all, is also due to my tattoos, i dont want to give such a testimony a believer can get tattoos just as is popular with the world.

I do not want to be mistaken for being a wordling, i want people to know i dont follow the world, its fashions and pop things. I follow one who is off eternity and my life should reflect that unchanging being in that i am not a follower off these things.

Inspiring, Christian...

The scriptures inform us that we are being changed from glory to glory.... it is a lifelong process. It is not as though we have accomplished it in one day and that is it. God teaches us bit by bit, day by day.

I have one story that still baffles me a tad bit. I love to sew and some would say I am an expert....I am depending who you compare me to and the opposite is true also: I am not depending who compare me to. In any case, I love to sew, can make whatever I want to. It is an ever evolving skill/craft.

One day I walked passed a clothing boutique and saw a cute cape. I thought that thing is cute and after studying it a while I noticed design elements that could be incorporated into other garments. I loved it and stored it in the corner of brain to use in designing a garment for me. The next time I went into Hancock's (a fabric store chain) I saw the fabric I needed to accomplish this...but the Holy Spirit said "No, that is worldly, you are allowing the world to inspire that design." True, but there is nothing wrong with the design itself, but He persisted and I reluctantly surrendered that design.

Did the design compromise modesty? No. But, it really does not matter: if the Holy Spirit says "no" he means 'no' and I do not have to know why. Wonder if I am a tad bit scared to allow HIM to do all the designing? Afraid it might look too dumpy? Something to consider...

ginnyrose

ginnyrose wrote:
it is a lifelong process. It is not as though we have accomplished it in one day and that is it. God teaches us bit by bit, day by day.

Amen

Yes i can testify of that also, i said to one brother yesterday, if i lived in america i would strongly consider moving to the ana-baptists to raise my children :-)

I just think their way of looking at scripture and holy living is an example to all of us, they take it seriusly and are an inspiration to me.

God bless

[b][url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=1864]be ye Holy for I am Holy by Keith Daniel[/url][/b]

Wow! This is a very refreshing conversation! i believe that the topic is being dealt with with the Spirit of Christ reigning. Usually i way back way off because many become offended and accuse me of being legalistic by identifying the world as something that they love and that offends them. Ginnyrose, i loved your illustration of the fabric. Taylor i loved your bringing the thought to not what we are dead to, but what we are ALIVE to which is Christ. The kingdom of God is like.... The Parables and Beatitudes are so wonderful at pulling out the kingdom we are citizens of both good and bad. The question about how non conformity affects my day to day is generally guided by these areas especially the beatitudes, 1 Corinthians 13, and Galations 5 with the Spirit and flesh contrast. There is more challenge in these few areas to be conformed to the image of Christ than i can imagine (Eph 3:21 :-) ) i will ever attain to. Be controlled and walk in the Spirit and we won't mind the things of the flesh. or as one of my early favorites upon conversion states: Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of HIS glory and grace. i SO appreciate this group (family) at SI. You both challenge me and inspire me! Thanks for the Love, Barry

Scriptures teaches us a lot about the heart. Prov. 3:1: But let your heart keep my commandments;
v .3:Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
v.6: In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
v.8:It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.
Luke 6:45: The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

These scriptures are clear that what is in the heart will be made known to others by our words and deeds - cannot separate them. From my own experience in the past when your feathers get ruffled it is because someone touched on an issue you were evading and running away from. How much grief we could spare ourselves by simply stopping and saying "Yes, Lord! I will surrender." The LORD cannot use a bull-headed, stubborn person. He wants one totally submitted to HIM in ALL things.

I have another sewing story. I was sewing a dress for our son's wedding. Earlier I had purchased a beautiful applique and had it in my stash of supplies. I got this thing out and laid it upon the collar. It was beautiful! So I worked a long time to apply it and the job was well done. In the meantime, the Holy Spirit was speaking quietly saying "that is too fancy." "It is beautiful and I want it" I said. That night I would be woke up occasionally with these words ringing in my conscience: "it is too fancy". Finally I gave in and said "Yes, Lord, if you want me to remove it in the morning, I will." I went back to sleep and slept soundly the rest of the night. I did as I promised. Now had I listened to Him when He first started convicting me, I would have saved myself a LOT of time and gotten more sleep!

Jesus teaches us the importance of faithfulness in the little things. (Luke 16:10). And it is in the little things where most of the battles occur, is it not? So it is for me. And I have to remember I can never expect to grow in my walk with the LORD unless I surrender these little things. And the fascinating thing is the joy that results from this. You experience the "WOW!" factor: your heart is filled with a sense of awe at whatever transpires. You have experienced the joy of the LORD.

What other testimonies are out there? Mind sharing them?

ginnyrose