Making Difference

Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be
able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Introduction:

At the beginning of each year, many people make resolutions to change their behavior. However, our behavior will
never change if our mindset is always the same. Today, as believers there is a need for us to make a difference.

How to make a difference?

1. UNCOMPROMISED v.2a
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world”
Understand that you are not made to be like everybody else. God has chosen you and set you apart and you don’t
need to play to the pattern of this world or no compromise to the trend of men. Don’t fit in just for the sake of
pleasing others but rather we must stand for the truth.

We must not compromise our faith under any circumstance. If we are surrounded by non-Christian friends who are
drinking and swearing, we should not give into this behaviour because of peer pressure and therefore compromise
our faith. Although it may be challenging, with God’s help we must remain true to what we know is right and to what
His word says and not trust anything else in its place.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own
desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

It is both a significant responsibility and a privilege to speak God’s word. Those who have been given the
responsibility to preach God’s word must do just that. The world teaches us things that are contrary to the bible and
for Preachers to give into that is compromising on the truth. If they choose to make their own interpretations of
what the scriptures say to suit their own ideas, then it also compromising. Sadly, a time will come when that will
happen. They will preach what people WANT to hear, not what they NEED to hear. The word of God is true,
trustworthy and will never change. Scripture is God breathed and should be taken as God intended, not according to
what we want to hear.

Do not give into what you want to hear, listen to the truth that is in the word of God and hold into what you know is
right. May God guide us to live in His ways that are pleasing to Him and not in the ways of the world.

Listen to what preachers say, don’t take their words for granted. Check them with God’s word to ensure they are
speaking the truth. I pray we won’t be tempted to compromise our faith in any way, in our actions and in the way we
interpret God’s word.

Never lose sight of what is right and keep others accountable when they stray from what is right. The Christian faith
is a journey and we must keep on the right path until the end and fix our eyes on Jesus above all else.

Do not compromise your faith for anything, keep hold of the truth and ask God for His help as you seek to do that.

Never compromise your faith to fit in. Don’t conform to the ways of the world or condone sin. Renew. Transform.
Share faith. Be an example. You are God’s greatest creation.

a. Walking in Total Obedience Toward God

b. Walking away from Sin

 - 2 Timothy 2:21

2. RENEW YOUR MIND v. 2b

Though we are in this world don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you
think. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by
changing the way you think.

How to renew your mind:

a. Remind your soul that God loves you SO MUCH! Only perfect love casts out fear!

b. Fill your mind with truth Whatever you fill your mind with becomes your mindset

c. Resist thoughts of fear, assist thoughts of faith. Faith thoughts are not going to stay, they need to be
assisted.

d. Fear thoughts are not going to leave, they need to be resisted.

e. Align your inner self talk with God’s word. Your life will move in the direction of your self-talk.

f. What you wear mentally - will enter you. Ps109:18; John 13:1, 27. Stronghold is opinion, belief and
conviction!