“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
Paul’s exhortation in Romans 12:2 is both a warning and an invitation. The “world” here refers to the present age with its values, pursuits, and pressures that often lead us away from God’s will. Society tells us happiness is found in possessions, careers, or relationships, but Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” To conform to the world is to chase after what cannot satisfy, but to be transformed is to yield to God’s truth and discover His perfect will.
Transformation begins in the mind. The world presses from the outside, trying to mold us through its patterns, but God works from within, renewing us through His Word. The Greek word for “transformed” is the same used when Jesus was transfigured in Matthew 17:2—a metamorphosis, a complete change from the inside out. Paul knew this struggle personally, confessing in Romans 7 that his own willpower was not enough to overcome sin. That is why he points us to the renewing of the mind through Scripture and prayer. As we daily surrender our thoughts to God, He reshapes how we see life, teaching us to think His thoughts and walk in His ways.
Yield your mind, body, and will to the Lord each day. Just as Paul waited, prayed, and studied before stepping into ministry, we too must allow God to reveal His will as we submit to Him. Jesus Himself modeled perfect submission, living in obedience to the Father and proving that His will is always good, acceptable, and perfect. The practical application is simple yet profound—begin each day with prayer and the Word, surrendering your plans to Him. In doing so, you will not only resist the pull of the world but also experience the joy of walking in God’s perfect will.
“We must allow our minds to be shaped by God’s truth, not by the world’s values. The refusal to conform to the world, coupled with the call to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, is a radical demand. It is only then that we will be able to discern and approve God’s will—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.” – John Stott
surrendered devotions 