“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 12:2)

I’ve been a Christian most of my life, but in high school and part of college I did a pretty good job of hiding it. I remember one night after a late-night soccer practice a few of us were just hanging out talking and having fun. Someone mentioned God and a couple of guys made crude jokes, so I spoke up and said, “You guys shouldn’t talk like that. A lot of people believe in God. I believe in God.”

Without hesitation one of my friends looked at me and said, “That’s a crock. If you believed in God you’d be different from us, but you’re just like us.” He was right. I was conforming to the pattern of the world, and doing it proudly. My mind wasn’t being renewed by the word of God because I wasn’t in the word of God. I had actually memorized Romans 12 as a boy, but clearly I had forgotten it because I wasn’t even trying to live it.

My friend’s comment challenged me to change. I decided to read the Bible from cover to cover and decide what I truly believed. God convicted me, challenged me, and encouraged me as I read and I soon recommitted my life to him, eager to have my mind renewed by his word and to conform to his will—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

I know from experience that conforming to the pattern of this world draws you away from God and his perfect will. So don’t conform to the pattern of the world. Instead, spend time daily in God’s word daily and be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then live for him and draw others to the truth.