Transformers

 “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 (NIV)

     Years ago there were some very popular toys called “Transformers.” They caught the imagination of children worldwide because, with a simple click and twist, a dinosaur could instantly become a car. Or a slight turn to the left and one snap and a robot could transform into a train. It was amazing to behold.

     Just think about it: with a few simple clicks and ta-da, a new character was created. It was impossible to tell what the toy originally looked like because it had morphed or transformed into something totally different. Thus the name Transformer. 

    In Romans 12:2 Paul uses the term “transformed” but he isn’t talking about toys changing from one character to another. No, he is talking about you and me and warning us not to conform to the things of this world but to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” What is he talking about?

    First Paul warns us to not conform to what the world has to offer; in other words, fight against those things in this world that pull us from God’s will for our lives. So that begs a few questions for each of us: What fills your mind in, say, a week? How many hours do you watch television or surf the internet and check out websites? How much of each day is spent reading books and watching movies? Can you estimate how much time you spend shopping for the perfect clothes and makeup?

   Please hear me on this: I am not saying that those are bad things but I AM saying that if they consume more of your time than you spend in the Word or sharing Jesus with the lost or lifting prayer requests, they could be pulling you away from the Lord and toward the “pattern of this world,” as Paul calls it.

    The Creator of the Universe is telling us that if we want to step out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary, then we have to train our minds to NOT conform to what the world says is acceptable. Instead, we have to be transformed into the Lord’s perfect will.

    True transformation – real transformation – begins with our minds and how we think. And that means we must get into God’s Word every single day. There is no other way. I encourage you to be on guard against anything that pulls you toward conforming to the world’s standards and taking your main focus off of Jesus. It’s time to be Transformers. 

     

    Father, I desire more than anything to be renewed and transformed by your word so I can focus on what is really important. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 

R.A.P. it up . . . 

Reflect

• What is your first response when tough things happen in your life?

• Do you find yourself holding on to the Word or reaching out to the world?

 Apply

• Journal a list of all the activities that you do during one week and put the number of hours you are involved in each one.

• Beside each activity write either “world” or “Word” and pray as you decide if any of those activities could be reduced or eliminated to give you more time in the Word.

Power 

• Romans 12:2 (NIV) “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.”

• I Peter 2:9 (NIV) “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

• II Corinthians 10:5 (NIV) “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”