We Are Not to be Conformed to This World

    It is increasingly difficult for us, as Christians, to remain unaffected by the worldly views and values that have saturated our society. Each time we turn on the television, we are confronted with images of violence, lust, deceit, hate, and materialism. However, rather than completely removing ourselves from the world, we are to go out into it, armed with God’s Word and Christ’s love. Our lives should stand out and we should, by our love, be recognizable as followers of Christ. So guard your mind, make wise decisions about what you watc and listen to, and trust the Holy Spirit to help you as you seek to live a life that is holy and pleasing to God.

Offer praise to Him who is able to guard our hearts and minds against sin: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me… Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit (Psalm 51:10, 12).

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him: “Be merciful to me, O Lord for I cry to You all day long. Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You (Psalm 86:3-5).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord: “Take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light… the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp give you light” (Luke 11:35-36).

As you lay your concerns before the Lord, remember:

• Strength to resist everyday temptations,
• Power to live a holy life,
• The unsaved in your neighborhood.

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand… and Your right hand will save me. The LORD will perfect that which concerns me” (Psalm 138:7-8).

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2).