GODS WILL FOR YOU

I. INTRODUCTION
In regards to discerning the will of God, a good place to start is Romans 12:1-2. Do not be conformed to
this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will
of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)

II. DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD
A. CONFORMITY DEFINED...
1. A conformist is one who feels a need to be like everyone else around him/her.
2. Conformity involves thinking, believing, and doing in the same manner as others
3. Our current society encourages conformity through such means as advertising, flat out propaganda,
and severe ostracizing of those who are considered by those in control as being non-conformist.

B. DANGERS OF CONFORMITY.
1. The majority is rarely right
a. Most are on the path to destruction - Matt 7:13. Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and
the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many
b. The way to life is straight and narrow, which few follow- Matt 7:14 For the gate is narrow and the
way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (ESV)

2. Conformity easily leads to doing things you know are wrong. 1 Cor 15:33 Do not be deceived: Bad
company ruins good morals.1 Cor 15:33 (ESV)

3. Conformity to things of this world will separate you from God! (1 John 2:15-17)
a. By giving way to the lust of the flesh (immorality)
b. By succumbing to the lust of the eyes (materialism)
c. By yielding to the pride of life (arrogance)

You will never discern Gods will trying to be like those in the world. You will be able to discern Gods will
for you if you will...

III. BE TRANSFORMED BY RENEWING YOUR MIND

A. TRANSFORMATION DEFINED...
1. In simplest terms, to be transformed means to be changed
2. A change of form, as when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly
3. In the NT, this word is used to describe:
a. What happened to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration Matt 17:1-2 Six days later Jesus took
Peter and the two brothers, James and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone.2 As the
men watched, Jesus appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes
became as white as light. (NLT)

b. What is to happen to Christians in their service to God Rom 12:2 be transformed by the renewal
of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable
and perfect. (ESV)

B. TRANSFORMATION DEPICTED...
1. Christians are to "undergo a complete change, which under the power of God, will find expression in
character and conduct" - Vine

2. We are to become like Christ
a. Slowly, but surely, we are transformed to be like Christ - 2 Cor 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face,
beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory
to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (ESV)

b. The goal of Christian living - Col 3:9-10 Dont lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old
sinful nature and all its wicked deeds.10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to
know your Creator and become like him (NLT)
3. Note:The passive voice is used in the text in Rom 12:2 (be transformed by the renewal of your
mind)
a. Indicating that transformation is something we allow to be done to us
b. Not something we do by our own power alone
c. We submit to Gods power, and by His grace we are "changed into another form" and become a
"new creation" (2 Cor 5:17)

C. TRANSFORMATION DEVELOPED...
1 With our minds "renewed" we can experience a true transformation!
a. Putting off the old man and putting on the new man
Col 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (ESV)
Col 5-10 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil
desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In
these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away:
anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another,
seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is
being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (ESV)

b. Living according to the Spirit - Rom 8:5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about
sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit

4. The process of transformation is really quite simple (cf. Acts 2:42)
a. Studying and contemplating God and His Word
b. Keeping in regular communication with God via prayer
c. Involving your mind in spiritual worship via frequent assembling with others

IV. IN CONCLUSION

A. Discerning Gods will for you does not come through conformity to the world...
1. Letting the world determine your standard of beliefs, speech and conduct, dress
2. Letting worldly people influence you with their out of Gods will behavior.

B. Discerning Gods will for you comes through a remarkable transformation...
1. With the aid of the Holy Spirit of God in conversion and regeneration
2. With Gods word renewing your mind so that you may discern good and evil.

Are you willing to let God and His Word transform your life in doing His will...?