Making Sense of Conformity and Real Change in Everyday Life
What Does “Conforming to the World” Really Mean?
Let’s start simply: to conform means to fit in with the crowd. For Christians, this often means slipping into the habits, values, or attitudes that are common in our culture—even when those things don’t really match up with what Jesus taught. Sometimes, this happens because we want to avoid standing out, or we just go along with popular opinions, social media trends, or whatever feels normal.
Two Ways We Conform—Often Without Realizing It
1. Choosing Sides on Purpose: Sometimes, Christians openly support political parties, movements, or ideas just because they seem right or popular—without thinking critically or checking if they truly fit with the gospel.
· This kind of conformity is obvious. It’s about making a clear choice to follow a crowd, program, or trend.
2. Going With the Flow Unintentionally: More often, though, conformity is subtle. We pick up values and habits just by living in our society: what we believe is “normal,” what we think is “success,” or what we assume is “good.” Many of these are invisible rules—we just absorb them without ever stopping to think.
· This is the kind of conformity that sneaks up on us. We don’t even realize we’re doing it, but it shapes how we see the world.
Why Does Romans 12:2 Warn Against This?
Romans 12:2 tells Christians to stop letting the world squeeze them into its mold. Instead, the verse says we should be “transformed by the renewing of [our] mind”—that means letting God change the way we think, not just what we do. The word “transformed” in the original Greek is where we get “metamorphosis,” like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. It’s not just a new habit—it’s a whole new way of seeing and living.
· Don’t just follow the crowd. We should question what’s popular and ask, “Does this fit with what Jesus taught about love, justice, and humility?”
· Let God’s Spirit transform us from the inside out. When our thinking changes, our actions and choices start to line up with God’s will—and that’s how we can really make a difference.
What This Looks Like in Real Life
Think of all the subtle and not-so-subtle pressures out there—media, traditions, politics, trends. It’s easy to just blend in. But Jesus challenges us to live differently, to love those who are overlooked, to stand for what’s right even if it’s unpopular, and to let our values be shaped by Him, not just by what’s trending.
How Do We Break Out of Conformity?
· Start by letting God renew your mind. Let His truth and Jesus’s life shape the way you see things, not just what you do.
· Check your values and choices: Are they based on faith—or just on what’s normal in your circle?
· Be open to deep change. This isn’t just about tweaking small things; it’s about seeing the world and others through God’s eyes.
Why It Matters
If Christians let God transform how they think—on everything from relationships and justice to how we view people and success—our lives will stand out. We won’t be swept away by every trend or opinion. Instead, our lives will point to God’s real love, wisdom, and hope in the world.
Final Thought
Romans 12:2 isn’t just advice—it’s an invitation to let God remake us, so we’re not just more “religious,” but truly different from the inside out. That’s the kind of change that can impact not just us, but everyone around us.
Minister A Francine Green
January 2026
afrancinegreen.com 