On the other hand, believers are exhorted in the scripture to resist the temptation to yield or conform to the many forms of worldliness surrounding the church, such as greed, self-centred living, principles of expediency, humanistic thinking, revenge, impurity and lust, filthy language, ungodly entertainment, fashionable clothes that are immodest and sexually seductive, immorality, drugs, intoxication, worldly companions and unrighteous things like these (cf. Eph 5:3-16; 1John 2:15-17).

4. The alternative to conforming to the world’s values and lifestyle is transformation. Transformation results when Christ and His word renew our minds so that our vision, values and plans are governed by God’s revelation and eternal truth, rather than by the world’s temporal and deceptive pattern.

Rom 12:2 “will of God.” By having a renewed mind and living a transformed life in Christ, we are able to test, prove and affirm that the will of God is good, desirable and perfect. Whereas Satan slanders God’s will as being not good, undesirable and imperfect, transformed believers know and embrace God’s will as the highest and best way of life.

Christians are called to “not be conformed to this world,” with its behaviour and customs that are usually selfish and often corrupting. Many Christians wisely decide that much worldly behaviour is off limits for them. Our refusal to conform to this world’s values, however, must go even deeper than the level of behaviour and customs — it must be firmly planted in our minds — “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” It is possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. Only when the Holy Spirit renews, re-educates, and redirects our minds that we are truly transformed (see 8:5)

God Will Teach And Guide You
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye,” (Ps 32:8)
“I will instruct you.” The Lord promises to instruct and guide a forgiven believer who has a teachable spirit, treasures God’s presence and counsel (cf. v.7), trusts in Him (v.10), rejoices in Him (v.11), and continues upright in heart (v.11).
“For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death,” (Ps 48:14).

We often “pray” for God’s guidance as we struggle with decisions. What we need is both guidance and a guide — a map that gives us landmarks and directions and a constant companion who has an intimate knowledge of the way and will make sure we interpret the map correctly. The Bible will be such a map, and the Holy Spirit will be the constant companion and guide. As you make your way through life. Use both the map and your Guide.
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