Young Christian Leaders' Alliance

By Justin Summerlin

“And be not conformed to this world” - Romans 12:2a

The will of God is a topic that comes up frequently for teenagers, but also is often questioned by all ages on into adulthood. When many people think of the will of God, they think, “What job occupation will I choose?” or “Will I go to college?” or “Will I marry and who will I marry?” While God does not reveal answers to these specific questions, His good, acceptable, and perfect will should guide us in all our decision-making.

One important point about God’s will is that it involves something to keep from doing. The apostle Paul tells us to “be NOT conformed.” Let’s look at the word “conformed.” What does it mean? Another way of putting it is, “to fashion like.” I’m sure most of you can remember when you were little putting on your mom or dad’s clothes because you wanted to be just like them. You might have dressed up like your favorite superhero. You were fashioning yourself like those you admired. You wanted to be like them and sometimes you wanted to be them. By doing so, you were associating yourself with them.

So how can we be actively participating in His good, acceptable, and perfect will in regards to life’s decisions? Do not be fashioned like the world, and do not desire to be like them.

Did you know that being conformed or not conformed is an external action? It is something that can be actively observed by others. Do unbelievers see you conforming to the world?