Definition and Usage:
The term "conform" generally means to comply with rules, standards, or laws, or to be similar in form or character. In a biblical context, it often refers to the alignment of one's behavior, thoughts, or character with a particular standard, whether worldly or divine.

Biblical Context:
In the Bible, the concept of conformity is addressed in both positive and negative lights, depending on the object of conformity. The Scriptures encourage believers to conform to the image and will of God, while warning against conformity to worldly patterns.

Key Scriptures:

1. Romans 12:2 :
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."
· This verse highlights the call for Christians to resist conforming to the secular values and practices of the world. Instead, believers are urged to undergo a transformation through the renewal of their minds, aligning themselves with God's will.

2. Romans 8:29 :
"For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers."
· Here, conformity is presented positively as believers are predestined to be shaped into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This transformation is part of God's redemptive plan, emphasizing spiritual growth and sanctification.

3. 1 Peter 1:14 :
"As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance."
· Peter exhorts believers to abandon their previous sinful desires and behaviors, which were part of their life before knowing Christ. Instead, they are called to live in holiness and obedience to God.

Theological Implications:
The call to not conform to the world but to be transformed is central to Christian discipleship. It underscores the tension between living in a fallen world and being citizens of the Kingdom of God. Conformity to Christ involves a continual process of sanctification, where believers grow in holiness and reflect the character of Jesus.

Practical Application:
Christians are encouraged to evaluate their lives and discern areas where they may be conforming to worldly standards rather than God's standards. This involves a commitment to spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers, which aid in the transformation of the mind and heart.

Historical and Cultural Context:
In the early church, believers faced significant pressure to conform to the cultural and religious norms of the Roman Empire. The call to resist such conformity was both a spiritual and social challenge, as it often led to persecution. Today, Christians continue to navigate similar pressures in various cultural contexts, making the biblical exhortation to non-conformity ever relevant.

Conclusion:
The biblical teaching on conformity challenges believers to live counter-culturally, prioritizing their identity in Christ over societal expectations. This involves a daily commitment to spiritual growth and a willingness to stand firm in faith, even when it contradicts the prevailing norms of the world.1. (a.) Of the same form; similar in import; conformable.

2. (v. t.) To shape in accordance with; to make like; to bring into harmony or agreement with; -- usually with to or unto.

3. (v. i.) To be in accord or harmony; to comply; to be obedient; to submit; -- with to or with.

4. (v. i.) To comply with the usages of the Established Church; to be a conformist.

CONFORM; CONFORMABLE

kon-form', kon-form'-a-b'-l (summorphoo "to become or be like," or "of the same form"): Indicating an inner change of nature, working into the outward life (Romans 8:29 Philippians 3:10, 21); while suschematizo, "fashioned according to" (Romans 12:21 the Revised Version (British and American), the King James Version. "conformed"), refers to that which is external.

4964. suschematizo -- to conform to
... to conform to. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: suschematizo Phonetic Spelling:
(soos-khay-mat-id'-zo) Short Definition: I conform to Definition: I conform ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4964.htm - 7k

4833. summorphoo -- conform to, fashion self according to.
... 4832b, 4833. summorphoo. 4834 . conform to, fashion self according to. ... Word
Origin variant reading for summorphizo, qv. conform to, fashion self according to ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4833.htm - 6k

4832a. summorphizo -- to conform to
... to conform to. Transliteration: summorphizo Short Definition: conformed. Word Origin
from summorphos Definition to conform to NASB Word Usage conformed (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4832a.htm - 5k

4832. summorphos -- to conform to
... to conform to. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: summorphos Phonetic Spelling:
(soom-mor-fos') Short Definition: similar, conformed to Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4832.htm - 6k

3980. peitharcheo -- to obey authority
... peitharcheo Phonetic Spelling: (pi-tharkh-eh'-o) Short Definition: I obey one in
authority Definition: I obey one in authority, conform to advice, obey, follow ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3980.htm - 7k

4748. stoicheo -- to be in rows, fig. to walk by rule
... From a derivative of steicho (to range in regular line); to march in (military)
rank (keep step), ie (figuratively) to conform to virtue and piety -- walk ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4748.htm - 7k

3877. parakoloutheo -- to follow closely, to investigate
... From para and akoloutheo; to follow near, ie (figuratively) attend (as a result),
trace out, conform to -- attain, follow, fully know, have understanding. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3877.htm - 7k

4879. sunapago -- to lead away with, fig. to be carried away with ...
... I lead away with, condescend to Definition: I lead away with, carry along with
(in good or bad sense according to context); mid: I conform myself willingly to. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4879.htm - 7k

5219. hupakouo -- to listen, attend to
... From hupo and akouo; to hear under (as a subordinate), ie To listen attentively;
by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority -- hearken, be ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5219.htm - 8k

How we are to Conform Ourselves to that Divine Will, which is ...
... INSPIRATIONS. CHAPTER III. HOW WE ARE TO CONFORM OURSELVES TO THAT DIVINE
WILL, WHICH IS CALLED THE SIGNIFIED WILL. We sometimes ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iii how we are.htm

How we are to Conform Ourselves to God's Will Signified unto us by ...
... CHAPTER X. HOW WE ARE TO CONFORM OURSELVES TO GOD'S WILL SIGNIFIED UNTO US BY
INSPIRATIONS, AND FIRST, OF THE VARIETY OF THE MEANS BY WHICH GOD INSPIRES US. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter x how we are.htm

Definitive Conceptions About the Spirit which Conform to the ...
... TOU AGIOU BAChILEIOU PERI TOU PNEUMATOCh BIBLION. Chapter IX. Definitive conceptions
about the Spirit which conform to the teaching of the Scriptures. 22. ...
/.../basil letters and select works/chapter ix definitive conceptions about.htm

The Life of Mr. John Scrimzeor.
... 1620, he was with some others, summoned before the high commission-court, for not
preaching upon holy days, and not administring the communion conform to the ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr john 4.htm

Whether Christ Conformed his Conduct to the Law?
... Objection 1: It would seem that Christ did not conform His conduct to the Law. ... Therefore
it seems that He did not conform His conduct to the Law. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ conformed his conduct.htm

Whether it is Necessary for the Human Will, in Order to be Good ...
... If therefore man were bound to conform his will to the Divine will, in the point
of the thing willed, it would follow that a man is bound to will his own ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is necessary for.htm

Devotion to God.
... grace. Let me repeat what I have said elsewhere: Every living thing consciously
or unconsciously struggles to conform to type. When ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/devotion to god.htm

The Right to what I Consider a Normal Standard of Living
... Or ought we to attempt, as far as we can, to conform to the way of life
of the people among whom we live? This, of course, brings ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 2 the right to.htm

September 9:
... For centuries men have striven to find out ways and means to conform themselves
to the Christ Life. ... Can the protoplasm CONFORM ITSELF to its type? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/beautiful thoughts/september 9 0.htm

Divine and Worldly Conformity
... Both are composed chiefly of carbon, so in nature they conform closely to each other. ...
Clothing should be made to conform to modesty in all other respects also. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk nineteen divine and worldly.htm

Conform (3 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONFORM; CONFORMABLE. ... "conformed"), refers to that
which is external. Multi-Version Concordance Conform (3 Occurrences). ...
/c/conform.htm - 8k

Parallel (6 Occurrences)
... 12. (vt) To place or set so as to be parallel; to place so as to be parallel
to, or to conform in direction with, something else. 13. ...
/p/parallel.htm - 10k

Conformable (2 Occurrences)
... compliant. 3. (a.) Parallel, or nearly so; -- said of strata in contact.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONFORM; CONFORMABLE. kon ...
/c/conformable.htm - 8k

Observe (216 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To take notice of by appropriate conduct; to conform one's action or practice
to; to keep; to heed; to obey; to comply with; as, to observe rules or ...
/o/observe.htm - 38k

Lean (22 Occurrences)
... window; a leaning column. 3. (vi) To incline in opinion or desire; to conform
in conduct; -- with to, toward, etc. 4. (vi) To rest ...
/l/lean.htm - 14k

Frame (33 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To fit to something else, or for some specific end; to adjust; to regulate;
to shape; to conform. 4. (vt) To cause; to bring about; to produce. ...
/f/frame.htm - 19k

Required (72 Occurrences)
... Romans 10:5 Moses says that he whose actions conform to the righteousness
required by the Law shall live by that righteousness. (WEY). ...
/r/required.htm - 28k

Disobedience (49 Occurrences)
... Paul's convictions were changed by the vision and his conduct was made to conform
immediately to it. Walter G. Clippinger. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/d/disobedience.htm - 23k

Disobedient (30 Occurrences)
... Paul's convictions were changed by the vision and his conduct was made to conform
immediately to it. Walter G. Clippinger. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/d/disobedient.htm - 17k

Proselyte (2 Occurrences)
... They were bound only to conform to the so-called seven precepts of Noah, viz., to
abstain from idolatry, blasphemy, bloodshed, uncleaness, the eating of blood ...
/p/proselyte.htm - 26k

What does it mean to not conform to the pattern of this world (Romans 12:2)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of the mind? | GotQuestions.org

What is Islamism? | GotQuestions.org

Conform: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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