Pressure to Conform
In 2005, neuroscientist Gregory Berns conducted experiments to try to gauge how people respond to societal pressures. Berns created social groups that were tasked with looking at a series of objects to decide if they were the same or different. But unbeknownst to the volunteers, four participants in each group of five had been coached to unanimously give fake answers to some of the questions. Even though they were obviously wrong, on average, 40 percent of the time the volunteers went along with the group.
Subjects were also hooked up to a brain scanner. Berns concluded that social pressure activates the part of the brain devoted to spatial perception, showing the desire to fit in causes people to change their picture of reality.
in Romans 12:2, the apostle Paul writes, "Be not conformed to the world." Berns' study proves how easily we can abandon what we know is right in order to fit in with a group. Paul adds, "But be transformed by the renewing of your mind." The world's pressure is an external force, while the transformation the apostle calls for is from within.
The secret to this renewing of the mind lies not in running the right thoughts through the mind, repeating Scriptures over and over, but by yielding to the Holy Spirit. Knowing how susceptible we are to the influence of others, the power of good and godly fellowship is of the utmost importance.
"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14)
Take Your Own Atmosphere With You
During an interview with a group of astronauts, the crew was asked, "What do you think is the single most important key to successful space travel?"
One astronaut offered the following response: "The secret of traveling in space is to take your own atmosphere with you."
Dr. Raymond McHenry has served as pastor of Westgate Memorial Baptist Church. He earned his Master of Divinity and his Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Bible Seminary. Through his books and quarterly newsletter, IN OTHER WORDS, he has become a highly respected compiler of biblical illustrative materials.
McHenry concludes, "This observation from space helps us better understand Paul's admonition for Christians to not be conformed to the world. By carrying the atmosphere of Christ with us, we can thrive in the hostile environment of this sinful world."
"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" (Romans 12:2).
Pouring Coffee for the Cat
A story is told of hometown guests visiting the White House during the presidency of Calvin Coolidge:
Worried about their table manners, the guests decided to do everything that Coolidge did. This strategy succeeded, until coffee was served. The president poured his coffee on the saucer. The guests did the same. Coolidge added sugar and cream. His guest did, too. Then Coolidge bent over and put his saucer on the floor for the cat.
We can only imagine the laughter that ensued.
When there's no connection between what is done and why it's done, it's just a matter of time before you're caught pouring coffee for the cat. Don't blindly follow what others dictate. Think about why you do what you do. Let the Word of God and the Spirit of God transform your heart and mind. That way, what follows will accomplish God's will.
"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. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect" (Romans 12:2, NLT).