Conformity Forbidden

Romans 12:1-2

Message No. 0805 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca

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The heavenly flight is constantly running, but for each individual, the time of departure is unknown. Only passport carrying citizens of heaven will make it to eternity with God. Everyone else will spend their eternity somewhere else. To prepare, Paul warns that we should be non-conformists to our world but rather constantly check that we continue to live under our higher constitution. This writing is a wakeup call to examine ourselves and to determine where we stand.

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No one lives in a vacuum. Societies are guided by laws, and clubs, professional bodies and companies are guided by codes of ethics, codes of conduct and internal policies. The law has a way of dealing with those who break it. Clubs and professional bodies suspend or expel those who break the rules, and companies fire those who frequently violate policies.

Notwithstanding the above context, Paul, in his letter to the church in Rome, instructed that they not conform to the world they lived in, but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. The Roman society at this time was characterized by idolatry, pride and self-indulgence. Paul warned the church to not merge into the prevailing fleshly desires of the day, but to separate themselves by constantly examining themselves and submitting to the works of the Holy Spirit.

The societies we live in today are, of course, much worse than Rome at the time of Paul’s writing. Take idolatry, for instance. Rome may have worshipped idols, but these were numerable. Today, we have uncountable number of idols in our societies. And, no one should be deceived; while idols were predominantly physical in Rome, they are in multiple various forms today. Perhaps the biggest is internet based. We have small computers in our hands, called mobile phones, which have taken the place of God in many hearts. Statistics show that people check their phones between 144 and 352 times a day, or roughly every 4 to 10 minutes. In 2025, the average person spent between 4 and 5.5 hours per day on their phones. Most people don’t remember God up to 10% of this time, let alone speak to Him.

When it comes to pride, we have an epidemic situation. People have more trust in their own abilities than in God. Successful people are particularly not interested in giving their lives to christ, just because they have made it and do not think that they need God. Some even speak against God almost daily, while boasting in their own achievements.

Self-indulgent behaviour is all too common around us. We have people doing things in excess, and without restraint. From partying to clubbing, smoking to drinking and gambling to wallowing in debt. Many people cannot take their eyes off the things they want. We spend money to gain weight, and we spend money to lose it. We spend to get hurt, and we fund the pharmacies to get well. We push ourselves to addiction, and we donate our incomes to rehab centres. If Paul were to write to christians in our societies today, I wonder what he would write. His letter would probably scream in capital letters.

Writing to Timothy, his son in the Lord, Paul detailed out what to expect in the last days:

2 Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

It behoves on God’s children to not conform to the behaviour of our societies, but to rather separate ourselves in holiness to God. We must say no to the enticement of satan and refuse every offer that contravenes the commandments of our Creator. We must operate within our societal laws, but radically depart from norms that are acceptable, but forbidden for christians. Daniel and his colleagues did not corrupt themselves with the delicacies of the king; we must eschew every fleshly indulgence that characterize the sons of disobedience. We must constantly remind ourselves that this world is not our home. We are sojourners here, and our Home will only welcome us if we behave as worthy ambassadors of our heavenly Father.

What to Do?

Examine yourself and disengage from every behaviour that resembles conformity with the world.