Teaching Notes are Bible studies we taught before GraceLife Ministries began publishing articles online in 1995. Some were presented as sermons, others as group studies.
Our hope is that these older studies will be a blessing to you in your life and ministry. Please use them in any way God leads you.
These teaching notes are part of a study in Romans 12.
[These notes are from a Bible study taught more than 40 years ago. The notes are in outline form.]
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
Conformed
The word for “conformed” in the Greek refers to the act of an individual assuming an outward expression that does not come from within him, nor is it representative of his inner heart.
“The word ‘world’ speaks of all the floating mass of thoughts, opinions, speculations, hopes, aspirations, and aims, at any time current in the world, which my be impossible to seize and accurately define, but which constitute a most real and effective power.” Richard C. Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament, 1880
Paul is saying – “And stop assuming an outward expression that does not come from within you and is not representative of what you are in your inner being, but is patterned after this age.” (Kenneth Wuest, Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, Eerdman’s Publishing, 1950)
Transformed
The Greek word for “transformed” speaks of the act of a person changing his outward expression to one which comes from and is representative of his inner being. The word is used in Matthew 17:2 and translated “transfigured.”
This transformation occurs by the process of “renewal.” Renewing is defined from the Greek as “the gradual conforming of the man more and more to that new spiritual world into which he has been introduced and in which he now lives.
How is the person renewed? By the indwelling Holy Spirit, who when definitely, and intelligently and habitually yielded to puts sin out of the believer’s life and produces His own fruit. He does this by controlling the mental processes.
Turn to Galatians 5:16 – literal from Greek – “Habitually be ordering your behavior within the sphere and by the means of the Spirit, and you will positively not fulfill the desire of the flesh (evil nature).”
This transformation by renewal results in our “putting to the test what is the good and well-pleasing, and complete will of God.”
“Do not be conformed to this world, this age, fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs. But be transformed (changed) by the entire renewal of your mind – by its new ideals and its new attitude – so that you may prove for yourselves what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Amplified Bible
[Thank you for reading these teaching notes from more than 40 years ago. My prayer is they will be a blessing to you, your family and your ministry.]
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Founder & Director of GraceLife Ministries View all posts by gracelifethoughts
