Word of the day: Romans 12 vs 2 – Do not be conformed to this world

Caption: Do not be conformed to this world

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

Romans 12:2 – NIV – 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 12:2 – NLT – 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 learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2 – AMPC – Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Romans 12:2 – TPT – Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.

Romans 12 vs 2 in Yoruba

Romu 12:02 – Ki ẹ má si da ara nyin pọ̀ mọ́ aiye yi: ṣugbọn ki ẹ parada lati di titun ni iro-inu nyin, ki ẹnyin ki o le ri idi ifẹ Ọlọrun, ti o dara, ti o si ṣe itẹwọgbà, ti o si pé.

Key: One problem with humans today is that we have mixed our beliefs, culture and social ideas with our faith. We have ignored the major things attached to our faith and have decided to fashion our faith to suit our own ideology.

In the book “The Pursuit of God by A.W Tozer”, he wrote that one problem with Christians is that instead of us seeking God and knowing him rightly we have decided to shape God to suit our desire which in turn makes us not to know Him as we ought to. He further said that the moment we release ourselves from our own desires and discover that God cannot be shaped into what we want but we ourselves have to love him for who He is and do what He wants, only then we will find that knowing God and pursuing him isn’t really difficult. 

This ideology about inputting our own tradition or societal or wordly belief into our faith has produced so many heresies and false doctrines which has led so many people astray and this has also brought division among Christians. 

We become like people with eyes but still do not know where to go or the path to follow because so many unnecessary doctrines have opened so many unnecessary paths. We are now tossed left and right by the wind of doctrines.

We say we want to be like Jesus, Jesus was never lazy, Jesus studied the scriptures even though He was God. Have you ever wondered why Jesus still studied the scriptures and prayed? It was because He was trying to lay a standard for us to follow.

The more you study the word of God the more His words become clearer and life to you, through the help of the Holy spirit. You will know where to stand or what to do each time. You will know the right way to live your life. 

Reflection: Remember, trying to fix God into our worldly desires will not let us know God the way we ought to. Instead of walking God’s standard way we will walk according to our own laid down principles.