Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer 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.

Our minds have been conditioned to think a certain way. From the moment we are born the world is trying to dictate what we think and how we live. It’s gotten to the point where they are not only suggesting a certain lifestyle, but they are doing their best to influence you sub-consciously as well, where your defenses are low.
Society wants to tell you what you need to wear, to eat, to drive, you name it, they want to control it. It is played off that if we have the latest and greatest of something we will be accepted; and we buy into it. In reality there is no possible way to maintain this lifestyle and it will only leave you frustrated and wanting more.
God calls us to something different; He calls us to something better. He says, “focus on me and seek first my kingdom and I will take care of your needs.” If that is true why are so many Christians still being influenced by the world? It comes down to our minds.
We have been in this world so long, unaware of how it has been conditioning us to think. Half the time we don’t even recognize how it influences us. That is why Paul tells us to renew our minds. Renewing your mind will transform your life because you act according to what you believe.
If you believe what the world is telling you, it will show in your actions and vice-versa, if you believe God it will be reflected in what you do.
So in answer on how to combat the influence of the world, seek God. Ultimately that is it; that is the answer. Beyond that, make sure you are putting more of the Word in your mind than the influences of the world.

Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer 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.

This verse holds the key to living a victorious life. Victory has already been achieved for us, but that doesn't mean we are living it. When Jesus went to the cross He took everything bad, all the sin, hurt, pain and sickness with Him. He, being perfect, took all these things upon Himself. Then he proceeded to go to death and the grave. That’s where the penalty for sin was paid, but that is only part of our victory. Our greater victory lies in the resurrection.

Jesus conquered sin and the grave and came back to life and is seated at the right hand of God. Now when we receive Christ we join with Him in His death in order that we may also join with Him in His new life.

So you see that sin and all the curses of the law have already been taken care of. We have been freed from our sinful nature and no longer live according to it, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8) I say all this to point out that the battle has already been won. We are already free.Then why do we still find ourselves struggling with this stuff? It is because of our mind.

Whatever we think in our mind becomes our reality. Our spirit is renewed when we accept Christ but our mind is still stuck in our old way of thinking. As this verse states we used to conform to this world, it was natural for us, but not any more. Now we are born of the Spirit and we need to change our thought patterns.

We must use the Word of God to renew our minds and as we do that it will transform us. Our way of thinking is truly the key to living in the victory that God has already laid out for us. Make every effort to get into God’s Word and let it change your thought patterns and transform your life. And I will leave you with this rhyme: “Renew your mind, like in Romans twelve two, Cause what you think affects what you do.”