“Do not conform 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 12:1, NIV
Regardless of who you are, you have probably noticed that the world is not a perfect place. In fact, it is full of pain, brokenness, suffering and sin. God calls us to be different.
In Romans 12:1, Paul tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This means when the world is turning away from God, we are called to turn toward Him.
When everyone is doing something, it can be hard not to join the crowd. Peer pressure is powerful, whether it be at school, work, family gatherings, church or even on social media. However, as Christians we have to take what we see the world doing and weigh it against the Bible.
Philippians 4:8 tells us to dwell on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable” and anything that is excellent or praiseworthy. If the world is doing things that are ungodly or not true, noble, pure and admirable, chances are we should not be doing those things. After all, we are not of this world.