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And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what<\/span> <\/strong>is<\/em><\/strong><\/span> <\/span>that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Don\u2019t be like everyone around you and don\u2019t let others tell you what you should be. Instead, let God transform you to into the image of His Son.<\/p>\n \u201cDo not be conformed<\/span>\u201d is from me suschematidzesthe<\/em><\/span>. Me<\/em> <\/span>is the conditional negation particle and suschematidzesthe<\/em><\/span> is a compound made up of sun<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201ctogether\u201d and a form of sch\u0113matidzo<\/em><\/span>, from which we get our English word schematic. It refers to the pattern or outward appearance of something. So Paul is telling us not to allow ourselves to look, and act, like the world around us.<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cworld<\/span>\u201d is not kosmos<\/em> <\/span>(world system) as one might expect. Rather, it is from the Greek word aion<\/em><\/span>, which refers to\u201d the age or time\u201d in which we live.<\/p>\n \u201cTransformed<\/span>\u201d is from metamorpho\u014d<\/em><\/span>, from which we get our English word metamorphosis, meaning not simply a change in outward appearance, but \u201cto completely change form.\u201d This is the same word that is used in both Matthew 17:2<\/span> <\/strong>and Mark 9:2<\/strong><\/span> when referring to Jesus\u2019 transfiguration before Peter, James, and John.<\/p>\n \u201cProve<\/span>\u201d is translated from the Greek word dokimadz\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cto test something with the intent of finding its value.\u201d It is the notion of proving gold by subjecting it to extreme heat, thus removing the dross and leaving the pure, valuable gold only. Our translation says \u201cthat you may prove.<\/span>\u201d The problem with this is that dokimadz\u014d<\/em> <\/span>is expressed as an infinitive (to prove), and the word translated \u201cyou<\/span>\u201d is not in the form of a subject, rather it is in the form of an indirect object. Therefore, we should translate this as \u201cto prove in you.<\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n At the end of the previous verse Paul told us that we should offer ourselves as living sacrifices because it is only logical and reasonable that we should serve God in this way. Now he continues on. Not only should we offer ourselves as God\u2019s slaves, once and for all, but we should allow God to reshape our thinking instead of letting the age in which we live do so.<\/p>\n We should not take on the same appearance, habits, and attitudes as all the people around us. Instead of being this kind of a conformist, we need to \u201cbe transformed.<\/span>\u201d This transformation is one of the mind, from being worldly minded, focusing on the thing of this world, to being heavenly minded, focusing on what God is doing to and through us. And our ultimate objective is that of giving glory to God Himself. The reason that we are to be transformed instead of conformed is so that God can \u201cprove in us what His will is.<\/em><\/span>\u201d<\/p>\n As we are transformed by God in our minds, we become more like His son. That is, we become more Christ-like in our attitudes and actions, which is, in fact, what God\u2019s will is for our lives.<\/p>\n What Paul has told us in these two verses is that we need to surrender our physical lives to God for His use. We are to do so by not letting the things of this age influence our thoughts and actions. Instead, we are to let His Spirit transform us to be more like He wants us to be, like Jesus Christ our Lord.<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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