Transformation

The Art of Unlearning, Chapter 7, Part 4

It is difficult for me to write a book without quoting Matthew 6:33 or Romans 12:2 (I can see my wife’s eyes rolling as I type this). But Romans 12:2 helps us understand why Paul thought reading is the preferred path to an abundant life when he wrote the famous words, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Every word in this sentence (and even the comma) is worthy of study. It’s a masterpiece. We don’t have time or space to do a deep dive, but a few elements beg to be acknowledged as we pursue life in Christ. First, Paul warns we must actively fight against being “conformed” to the “pattern of this world.” Groupthink is the enemy of life in Christ; it’s precisely what we need to unlearn. If we value what the world values, we’ll work hard harvesting the wrong kind of fish.

Here’s the powerful takeaway: To do nothing is to be conformed. If we don’t fight against being conformed, we will be conformed. If you consume popular culture mindlessly—its blog posts and podcasts, television series, movies, music and commercial novels—you’ll be conformed to popular culture. Our minds exist in a river of society headed in one direction. If we don’t paddle in the opposite direction, we’ll be carried downstream. Living in a fallen world, you won’t “happen upon” divine wisdom. You must seek it out. You must evaluate the source. The books and lectures promoted by the world and exalted by the world may at times throw out a few nuggets of wisdom (I read plenty of “non-Christian” books), but we must realize worldly wisdom is like eating trout. There are many bones to spit out as we find the nourishing meat within.

In Paul’s view, the world is shaping us and trying to squeeze us into its mold. It may use shame (“How dare you not agree with us?”), it may use entertainment (“don’t worry about all that serious stuff; just escape for a while”) or it may use head-on attack (“if you don’t agree with us, we will ruin you.”). But it won’t leave us alone.

How do we fight back against being “conformed to the pattern of this world?” Paul says we use our minds. In essence, he gives us an ultimatum: Either the world shapes you, or you shape you. If you’re not actively shaping your mind, you are passively allowing the world to shape your mind.