Romans 12:2

Lately, I have been spending a lot of time thinking about what Paul says in Romans 12:2. The verse has really hit home to me as I consider the question 'How do people change?'. Paul directs us, 'do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed ...'.

It is the contrast between conforming and transforming that has really stood out to me. I often ask God to transform me, but don't change the practical realities of my life. I do the same thing I've always done, go to the same places, hang with the same people, work in the same way, but ask God to change me and give me new results. It's ludicrous.

I must change my ways (actually act differently) to get different results. This 'non-conformity' creates the environment for transformation. This is huge. If you want to change something about yourself, a bad habit for example, stop just trying harder through will power, and start changing the actions surrounding your behavior. If you want to stop overspending on your credit card, tear it up so you can't use it - don't just try harder. If you want to stop smoking, block your access to cigarettes - don't just try harder. If you want to stop looking at porn, remove your access to the internet - don't just try harder. Confess, and get accountable. Get practical. These sacrifices like living without credit cards, not carrying cash for cigarettes, or living without the internet to avoid porn, create an environment for God to change you into someone who at the core of their being doesn't want to do these things and so as a result, doesn't.

Warning: We can not allow non-conformity to become a new type of law or a new identifier for us. Non-conformity is not the goal, transformation is. We all know enough Christians that have slipped into thinking that 'not conforming' is the end goal. If I act weird enough, I must be a true believer. If I do [insert extreme thing here], then that shows my true belief. The truth is even if we isolate ourselves in a monastery and give everything we have away - if we don't couple that with a focus on transformation, we just stay a very messed up person (who is now poorer and living alone in a monastery). :) If we forget to connect the actions of 'not conforming' to the purpose of transforming, we miss the point. (See the Pharisees in the Gospels).