Romans 12:2

       “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” We are given a strict order, the way to accomplish it, and the reason we need to do it. Many people struggle with knowing the will of God. The first step in achieving this is by taking heed to the order given, “do not be conformed to this world”. As born-again followers of Jesus, we are not to compromise with anything that is against the word of God. 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 tells us, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” We need to filter out what comes into our mind and if it is not from God or for God, nor would it encourage or edify others, it needs to be taken captive. A good visual illustration would be the new tools advertised to clean your rain gutters and the gutter guard to put on them to keep the debris out. We need to use the word of God and clean out our worldly mind, then put on the helmet of salvation every day, to keep out the debris that blows in, and just let in the Holy Spirit to do His work in us. When we have been trained like this, we will be able to “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”, which starts with purity. Conforming is outward, while transforming is inward, and sooner or later one or the other will show up revealing the real you.