“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2).

If we’re not intentional, we will let the world conform us into its image. Instead of being rooted and grounded in Christ, we’ll start to look like the world, think like the world, talk like the world. We might even start to “smell” like the world.

Several years ago, I was driving along and spotted a table on the side of the road. It was available to anyone, free for the taking. I decided I could save these people a trip to the dump and put it in my backyard as a gardening table. So I pulled over, loaded it up into the van, and drove it home.

What I soon discovered is that the previous owners must have been heavy smokers. Even though the table was outside, I could smell it like 20 feet away — especially at first. It was no big deal, since it was going to stay outside and be used mainly for bags of dirt and flower pots. It served its purpose. But it taught an important lesson. The years of smoke left a residual effect that lasted long after the table had been moved. If we’re not careful, the same can be true of us as Christians. We will soak in what we see on TV, social media, movies, music, friends, etc. and keep smelling like the world.

Several months ago, around VBS time, I preached on this text at Calvary Church West Hills. We looked deeper into the passage and I shared some particular ways we might be inclined to be conformed into the world today. You can listen here…

In what ways do you think Christians are easily conformed into the world around us? Leave a note in the comments section below…