Read Romans 12:1-2 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
1. What does Paul want us to do with our bodies? Why?
2. What does he not want us to do?
3. How are we transformed into a new person?
Reflect
From the time the Bible was written, there’s been a tension between what God says and the secular script of the day. In these verses, Paul urged the church to avoid copying the “behavior and customs of this world,” and instead to let God transform them by changing how they thought. Rather than deconstructing Scripture, they were encouraged to deconstruct the secular script.
We’re encouraged to do the same thing today. Our current secular script says that if you struggle with body questions, you should listen to your mind and alter your body. Scripture, on the other hand, says to embrace the body God gave you and allow Him to transform/renew your mind. In other words, match your mind to your body, rather than matching your body to your mind.
Whatever your struggle may be – whether addiction, unhealthy habits, sexual sin, gender identity questions, or something else – start with allowing God to transform your mind. Let Scripture guide how you think and what you do. God wants what’s best for you, and His Word stands the test of time.
Respond
• In what areas of your life do you tend to follow the “behavior and customs of this world”? How would your life look different if you followed God’s Word instead?
• In your typical week, would you say you fill your mind more with the secular script or with Scripture? What voices influence you most?
• Is there anything you need to change, or habit you need to form, to hear God’s voice more clearly?
Pray through these questions, and write down what God is prompting you to do next. Share with a friend, and take a step to apply it.
Want to go deeper? Visit the Traders Point app or this link to see our recommended resources for this week’s topic. If you want to catch Sunday’s message again, you can find it here.