Conformity or Nonconformity?

By Amy Pavlovik


           “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2.

What is conformity to this world? Is conformity always a bad thing?  “Conformity to the world means resemblance to the world in meeting the world's standard.” The Faith I Live By, p. 117. The Bible uses the term “world” to describe the character, principles, values, and lifestyles of the majority of this earth’s people, who are following the prince of this world, Satan. Thus, conformity to the world means shaping our practices to the popular, unbiblical practices of those around us.

Conformity in itself is not wrong. Driving on the right side of the road in America, or eating with chopsticks in Korea, are healthy and safe forms of conformity. While writing this article, I conform to accepted standards of English grammar and usage. Construction workers conform to building safety codes. We set our watches according to the time zone in which we live. When in another country, we conform by using the local language. All of these forms of conformity are acceptable, and even beneficial, since they are not out of harmony with biblical principles, and they promote our safety and comfort.

When does conformity become wrong? It is wrong when in it in any way causes us to violate a principle of God. This worldly conformity usually happens gradually, sometimes almost unnoticeably.

“It is conformity to the world that is causing our people to lose their bearings. The perversion of right principles has not been brought about suddenly.” Mind, Character, and Personality, volume 2, p. 558.

            Today, conformity to the world has become a problem of giant proportions among Christians. But because it occurs so stealthily, many times we do not even realize that the problem exists. We cannot determine whether we are conformed to the world by comparing ourselves to others around us, nor can we do so by comparing ourselves to the secular world. The standards of the world are continually changing, so that things once shunned with repugnance are now openly acclaimed by the wicked. Keeping a few steps above them will not ensure our safety. Our only means of defining conformity and nonconformity is in a diligent study of God’s revealed will.

            “Conformity to the world can be prevented by the truth, by feeding on the Word of God, by its principles circulating through the entire life current and working out that word in the character.” Ibid., p. 561. What does God say is right and wrong? This will give us unshakeable answers as to what is godliness and what is ungodliness in the midst of a perverse and corrupt world. Resist the temptation to cast aside some of God’s plain principles, believing that they are not applicable to your time or place. God never changes. On the contrary, the world is constantly changing, and worldly conformity’s motto is: “That was then, but this is now!”

“The world, its customs, its fashions, will not be our standard. We shall not have a desire to conform to its practices; we shall not permit our own inclinations to control us.”  The Adventist Home, p. 368.

“Conformity to the world is expressly forbidden by the Word of God.” In Heavenly Places, p. 308.

“No man can serve the world and Jesus Christ at the same time. There is an irreconcilable antagonism, between Christ and the world.”  The Faith I Live By, p. 117.

Since this is the case, there must be a decided difference between Christ’s followers and the world’s followers. This is not accomplished by keeping a few miles behind the world in its race after iniquity, but it is accomplished by total separation from the philosophy, values, and lifestyle of the world. What are some specific areas in which Christians must guard against worldly conformity? In addition to some of the more obvious ones, such as smoking, drinking, adultery, Sabbathbreaking, and crime, we must also be aware of other important areas that more easily go unnoticed. 

            1. True Christians will find no enjoyment in watching or reading about immorality, crime, and other ungodly actions committed by others. They will not enjoy viewing the kind of programming that is prepared by those who do not love and fear God.

2. Christians will not find their enjoyment from the same amusements that the world around them enjoys. They will not seek for an exciting high, but for spiritual, mental, and physical renewal in activities that God approves.

3. Christians will not allow their music to be selected by musicians and artists who are living lives of sin. Nor will they pattern their own music after such music.

4. Christians will spend their money in accordance with heavenly principles, instead of trying to keep up with the neighbors by having the same luxuries they have.

5. Christians will shape their life goals around eternal realities. They will not be focused on climbing the ladder of popularity and success promoted by their peers.

6. Christian worship services and evangelistic methods will be carried out in harmony with God’s principles. Christians will not be ensnared by methods geared to the “post-modern generation” which really counteract Gospel principles.

7.  The Christian’s wardrobe will not be designed by the world, and will not follow the fashions. Nor will the Christian spend time or money in shopping for unnecessary clothing.

Dear friends, Satan has created a master plan to ensnare you and me, if at all possible. He knows that many of us will not accept outright iniquity, so he attempts to catch us little by little, as we are slowly anesthetized by conformity to the world. He knows that “The time is not far distant when the test will come to every soul. The observance of the false sabbath will be urged upon us. The contest will be between the commandments of God and the commandments of men. Those who have yielded step by step to worldly demands and conformed to worldly customs will then yield to the powers that be, rather than subject themselves to derision, insult, threatened imprisonment, and death.” Prophets and Kings, p. 188.

Therefore, worldly conformity is not an inconsequential issue. It is an issue which will cause the loss of many souls.

            So what must we do? “Let every one, for Christ's sake and for his own soul's sake, shun conformity to the world, to its customs, vanities, and fashions…. Will the professed followers of Christ aim high, and reach the standard of holiness? Better be a worldling than a common, cheap, professed Christian. Dare to come out from the world and be separate. Dare to be singular because you love Jesus better than the world, and righteousness with persecution better than disobedience with worldly prosperity. Holy and entire obedience through dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ will strengthen the soul to be steadfast in the faith and hope of the gospel.”  That I May Know Him, p. 318.

Are you willing to be different? It will not be easy, yet God requires nonconformity to this world. He promises in Romans 12:2 that you need not be a follower and conformer. Instead, you may be transformed into the image of Christ as you allow Him to renew your mind. Conformity and nonconformity are not merely outward issues, involving what we wear, watch, and listen to. Rather, they are fundamentally heart issues. One with a renewed mind will not conform to the world. One who conforms to the world in willful opposition to God does not have a renewed mind. The outward signs that are visible to the observer are merely fruits on a good, or a corrupt, tree.

Jesus died for us. This wicked world crucified Him. Will we be conformed to that world, or will we be transformed?