Do Not Be Conformed to this World

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

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

James 4:4

Make no Mistake this is Satan’s World

Adam lost his God-given dominion over the planet when he disobeyed God way back in the garden. (Genesis 1:28) Satan was right there to pick up the ball, take dominion and has been the god of this world ever since. In 2 Corinthians 4:4 God makes it clear that Satan has dominion over the world.

‘But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. ‘

II Corinthians 4:3-4

This is why the Lord admonishes believers that we must not be conformed to this world, it belongs to the devil. This planet is under sin, under the curse and that curse will not be lifted until the Lion of Judah returns for a second time.

Until then, we must be aware that every square inch of this planet, the earthly system, and everything that goes on in this world is under the curse, under Satan’s control.

Take a look at Matthew 4:8,9;

‘Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”’

Matthew 4:8-9

Does the Lord Jesus rebuke Satan by telling him no, these kingdoms are not yours to give? Not at all. Instead, Jesus said “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” Matthew 4:10. Jesus used the Scripture to rebuke and resist Satan’s temptations.

Stay in the Word

In James 4:7 it says ‘Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ‘ So the lesson is for us as well. The Lord used the Scripture, “Christ went right to the Word” to resist Satan’s temptations and the devil departed from Him. We must stay in the Word not just on Sunday’s but every day. 

It Comes Down to Faith

We must believe who God is and what He says. (Hebrews 11:6) It is by faith alone that we have salvation and what did that actually require from us? We believe what God said, right? That God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, who died on the cross (shedding His blood) for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. That’s the gospel, we believed what God said and He saved us. It’s no different for the Christian walk.

First, how are we supposed to know what to do if we don’t read His Word? Second, once we read and know what we are supposed to do we are to take Him at His word. (Faith)

‘Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ‘

Ephesians 6:16

‘For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. ‘

I John 5:4

In Conclusion

Not becoming conformed to this world isn’t about not doing this and not doing that. That’s called legalism. It’s about picking up your Bible and studying it every day. Then you will know what to do and what not to do because of the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit that lives in us and the renewing of your mind by the word of God.

Thank you for reading.

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Mesa Bible Study

Faith, Sine Qua Non