August 20th Weekly Word
Metamorphosis: Watching what we "eat"
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds" (Romans 12:2a).
Conforming versus transforming. That's the contrast that Paul sets up in this part of Sunday's epistle reading. But what do each of these words mean?
"Conform" conveys the notion of shaping ones behavior in accordance with something else — in this case, the world. Now initially we might not think this is too serious of a thing. After all, don't we all conform in some way or another to the ways of the world? And isn't that natural and normal?
To answer that question, we need to find out what Paul means when he says "world" here. The Greek word is different from what we would normally classify as "world," as in the place we inhabit. Rather more literally it could be translated as "this age." And in context we could even say "this evil age" because Paul uses this word multiple times in his epistles to communicate just that.
For example, the same Greek word is used when Paul says in 2 Corinthians: "the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." Obviously, Paul is talking here about Satan and spiritual forces of darkness.
So conforming to this world or this age is clearly not a trivial thing. It amounts to allowing the pressures of our society — influenced by a kingdom that opposes God — to shape our affections, values, and worldview.
Friends, we must guard against this at all costs. But how? First, by evaluating the means through which this age infiltrates our minds. Now, for each person those means are going to be different to some degree. But being conformed to this age more often than not comes down to consuming what the world feeds us. Which begs the question: what does it feed us? Well, just to name a few:
1) Entertainment that normalizes values contrary to God's Word 2) constant messages equating identity and happiness with possessions, beauty, or success. 3) social media that promotes endless comparisons, outrage cycles, and curated images that distort reality 4) philosophies or curricula that subtly or blatantly deny God or elevate human autonomy above him 5) news that frames events in ways that cultivate fear, division, or misplaced trust.
Friends, if those are the things that we're consuming on a regular basis, we can be sure that we're being conformed to this evil age. So, how do we address the problem, especially in light of the fact that we are immersed in this age?
Well, Paul not only tells us what not to do (be conformed to this world), but he also tells us what to do instead — and that is to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
The Greek word translated as “transformed” comes from the root metamorphoō, which, of course, is the root for our English word metamorphosis. When I think of metamorphosis, the most prominent thing that comes to mind is the change that transpires when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly.
But here's the thing, a caterpillar can't make the metamorphosis happen. But it can do the things that prepare it for the phenomenon. And a big part of that is eating ... a lot. A caterpillar voraciously consumes green plant leaves in the days leading up to it's chrysalis phase, where it uses that stored energy to fuel the metamorphosis.
In like manner, we can't produce transformation. That's God's work. But we can prepare our hearts for it by "renewing our minds." And that comes by way of redirecting our consumption. So what should we feed on to prepare for the transformation that God wants to bring about in our lives? Here are a few staples:
1) God's Word: "For man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Mt 4:4).
2) Christ himself through abiding in him: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" (John 15:4).
3) Christ himself through the Eucharist: "Take, eat; this is my body..." (Mt. 26:26).
4) Fellowship and teaching: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42).
Friends, these are the spiritual provisions that God uses to bring out a metamorphosis in our hearts and lives. So let's renew our minds by watching what we "eat" as we rejoice in the transformative work that God is doing in and among us.
Darin+