One of the many go-to verses used concerning how Christians are to be ‘in the world and not of it’ as we like to say, comes from 

Romans 12:1-2 – “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

We see in verse 1 that the compassion God shows on His people is enough to make an appeal to righteous living. Living a life intentionally trying to be set apart from what is not of God. This means we constantly striving to be acceptable because we not only understand what He has done for us, but we appreciate it enough to reciprocate in the manner in which He requests of us to reciprocate. This action Christians take is best defined as our “service of worship” or obedience & adoration given of oneself to God. This cannot be done by accident.

In verse 2 we see the goal is to be transformed, that is, completely changed or unrecognizable from the former, world loving self. Perhaps we can think of a caterpillar turned butterfly. Same entity, different form and purpose. For the Christian, transformation from worldly to Godly takes place in the mind. Perhaps we can think of an old house that has been completely remodeled and made modern inside. It looks the same, but inside it’s updated and built to a newer, better standard. To be able to keep striving toward our new purpose and keep our minds “up to the standard,” Christians must intentionally be going through the process of identifying and comparing what is of God and what is of the world.

The world will tell us to use our feelings to discern what is of God. This is a trap Satan will use at times to get us to go against God. Remember, what God says through 

Jeremiah 17:9-10, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” 

This week as we strive to discern what is the will of God and stay un-conformed to this world, may we remember to use scripture, prayer, our minds, and sound logic.