Transformed, Not Conformed: The Discipleship Of A Renewed Mind Series

Transformed, Not Conformed: The Discipleship of a Renewed Mind - Romans 12:2

Whether we realise it or not, we are all being shaped.

Every scroll.

Every headline.

Every conversation.

Every cultural value quietly absorbed.

Discipleship is happening all the time.

The question is not are we being discipled?

The question is by whom—and into what image?

INTRODUCTION: THE BATTLE FOR THE MIND

We are living in an age of noise. Opinions shout. Algorithms disciple. Culture catechises. Screens shape us more than Scripture if we are not careful.

Everyone is being discipled by something.

The question is not whether you are being shaped—but by whom and into what.

The apostle Paul writes to believers in Rome—Christians living at the very heart of a powerful, pagan, pleasure-driven empire.

Rome did not persecute believers constantly; it assimilated them subtly.

And Paul issues a call that cuts straight to the heart of discipleship, he gives them a command that is as urgent today as it was then.

Romans 12:2 (NLT): “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing, and perfect.”

This is the Word of the Lord.

CONTEXT: MERCY BEFORE MANDATE

Before we rush into the command of Romans 12:2, we must remember where it sits.

Paul has spent eleven chapters unfolding the mercies of God.

Humanity ruined by sin (Romans 1–3)

Justification by faith alone (Romans 3–5)

Union with Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6)

The battle with indwelling sin (Romans 7)

Life in the Spirit and the assurance of glory (Romans 8)

God’s sovereign mercy in salvation (Romans 9–11)

Then Paul begins Romans 12 with this thunderclap: “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you.”

— Romans 12:1 (NLT)

Christian obedience is never to earn mercy—It is always because we have received mercy.

Discipleship does not begin with “Do better.”

It begins with “Look what Christ has done.”

And now Paul moves from the altar of the body (v.1)

to the arena of the mind (v.2).

Because you can never live a transformed life

with an unrenewed mind.

POINT 1: A CLEAR WARNING — “DO NOT CONFORM”

“Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world…”

— Romans 12:2a (NLT)

The word Paul uses here carries the idea of being pressed into a mould—shaped externally, passively, gradually.

The world does not need your permission to shape you.

It simply surrounds you.

The “world” in Scripture is not the planet—it is a value system opposed to God.

A system that calls evil good and good evil

A system that glorifies self over sacrifice

A system that rewards pride and mocks holiness

A system that tells you, “Be true to yourself,” rather than, “Die to yourself”

Rome said, “Fit in.”

Our culture says, “Blend in.”

But Paul says, “Do not copy.”

Not: “Don’t notice.”

Not: “Don’t engage.”

But: “Don’t be shaped by it.”

You can live in Rome without Rome living in you.

You can use technology without it discipling you.

You can engage culture without bowing to it.

But it will not happen accidentally.

As John Stott wrote: “Worldliness is not so much about external behaviour as internal allegiance.”

And here is the uncomfortable truth:

If your thinking is indistinguishable from the world, your discipleship has stalled—no matter how many sermons you hear.

POINT 2: A DIVINE WORK — “BE TRANSFORMED”

“…but let God transform you into a new person…”

— Romans 12:2b (NLT)

This is not self-improvement.

This is spiritual resurrection power.

The word transform is metamorphoo—the same word used of Jesus’ transfiguration.

This is not polishing the old self.

This is becoming who you already are in Christ.

Paul does not say, “Transform yourself.”

He says, “Let God transform you.”

Transformation is God’s work—But it is not passive.

We do not change ourselves,

but we submit ourselves to the One who does.

Discipleship is not behaviour modification.

It is Spirit-led transformation.

This is why Christianity cannot be reduced to morals, routines, or religious performance.

Only the Gospel can do this.

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

The Christian life is not trying harder.

It is living truer—out of who Christ has already made you.

POINT 3: THE BATTLEFIELD — “BY CHANGING THE WAY YOU THINK”

“…by changing the way you think.”

Romans 12:2c (NLT)

Here is the heart of discipleship.

The mind is the command centre of the soul.

What you believe shapes how you live.

What you dwell on directs what you desire.