Definition and Context:
Conformity, in a biblical sense, refers to the act of aligning one's beliefs, behaviors, and practices with a particular standard or authority. In the Christian context, this often involves the tension between conforming to the patterns of the world versus conforming to the will and character of God as revealed in Scripture.

Biblical References:

1. Conformity to the World:
The Bible warns against conforming to worldly standards and values. Romans 12:2 states, "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 believers to resist the pressures of secular culture and instead seek transformation through spiritual renewal.

2. Conformity to Christ:
Believers are encouraged to conform to the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 says, "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." This conformity involves adopting the character and virtues of Jesus, such as love, humility, and obedience to God.

3. Conformity in Conduct:
The apostle Peter urges Christians to live holy lives, distinct from their former ways. 1 Peter 1:14-15 instructs, "As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do." This passage emphasizes the importance of moral and ethical conduct that reflects God's holiness.

4. Conformity and Peer Pressure:
The Bible acknowledges the influence of peer pressure and societal norms. Proverbs 1:10 advises, "My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them." This wisdom literature underscores the need for discernment and the courage to stand firm in one's convictions despite external pressures.

Theological Implications:

· Transformation vs. Conformity:
The call to transformation rather than conformity is central to Christian discipleship. Transformation involves a deep, inner change brought about by the Holy Spirit, leading to a life that reflects God's will and purposes.

· Identity in Christ:
Conformity to Christ is rooted in the believer's identity as a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" This new identity empowers believers to live in a way that honors God.

· Community and Conformity:
The Christian community plays a vital role in encouraging conformity to Christ rather than the world. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to "spur one another on to love and good deeds" and to "not neglect meeting together." The support and accountability found in the church help believers resist worldly conformity.

Practical Application:

· Discernment and Wisdom:
Christians are called to exercise discernment in their daily lives, evaluating cultural trends and societal norms through the lens of Scripture. This requires a commitment to studying God's Word and seeking His guidance in prayer.

· Role Models and Mentors:
Identifying and emulating godly role models can aid in the pursuit of conformity to Christ. Mentorship within the church provides guidance and encouragement for living a life that reflects biblical values.

· Courage and Conviction:
Standing against worldly conformity often requires courage and a firm conviction in one's faith. Believers are encouraged to rely on the strength and presence of the Holy Spirit to remain steadfast in their commitment to Christ.Romans 12:2
And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Topicalbible.org

Romans 13:1-5
Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Topicalbible.org

Romans 10:4
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believes.
Topicalbible.org

1 John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) Compliance with standard norms or uses.1342. dikaios -- correct, righteous, by impl. innocent
... 1342 ("righteous, just") describes what is in conformity to God's own being
(His will, standard of rightness); hence "upright.". ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1342.htm - 8k

544. apeitheo -- to disobey
... apeitheo Phonetic Spelling: (ap-i-theh'-o) Short Definition: I disobey, rebel, am
disloyal Definition: I disobey, rebel, am disloyal, refuse conformity. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/544.htm - 7k

3716. orthopodeo -- to walk straight
... 3716 (from 3717 , "straight, upright" and 4228 , "foot") -- properly straight-footed;
(figuratively) to walk uprightly, ie in conformity to God's truth (used ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3716.htm - 7k

5207. huios -- a son
... 5207 ("son") highlights the (legal) right to the , ie as the believer lives in
conformity with the Father's nature (purpose). Word Origin a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5207.htm - 8k

4832b. summorphos -- conformed to
... Word Origin from sun and morphe Definition conformed to NASB Word Usage conformed
(1), conformity (1). 4832a, 4832b. summorphos. 4833 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4832b.htm - 5k

Conformity to Type
... CONFORMITY TO TYPE. "So careful of the type?' but no, ... The Scientific Law
by which this takes place is the Law of Conformity to Type. ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/conformity to type.htm

Divine and Worldly Conformity
... TALK NINETEEN. DIVINE AND WORLDLY CONFORMITY. ... We have here two sorts of
conformity, one of which is condemned and the other approved. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk nineteen divine and worldly.htm

The Other Valentinian Emanations in Conformity with the ...
... Book VI. Chapter XXIX."The Other Valentinian Emanations in Conformity with
the Pythagorean System of Numbers. The quaternion, then ...
/.../chapter xxix the other valentinian emanations.htm

Conformity to the Will of God.
... SPIRITUAL COUNSELS OF FR. DE CAUSSADE I."Conformity to the Will of God. ... For
the attainment of perfect conformity to the will of God. 1st. ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/i conformity to the will of.htm

Of the Conformity of Submission which Proceeds from the Love of ...
... BOOK VIII. OF THE LOVE OF CONFORMITY, BY WHICH WE UNITE OUR WILL TO THE WILL OF
GOD, SIGNIFIED UNTO US BY HIS COMMANDMENTS, COUNSELS AND INSPIRATIONS. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ii of the conformity.htm

Of the Conformity of Our Will to that Will of God which is ...
... BOOK VIII. OF THE LOVE OF CONFORMITY, BY WHICH WE UNITE OUR WILL TO THE WILL OF
GOD, SIGNIFIED UNTO US BY HIS COMMANDMENTS, COUNSELS AND INSPIRATIONS. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vi of the conformity.htm

Of the Conformity of Our Will to that Will of God's which is ...
... BOOK VIII. OF THE LOVE OF CONFORMITY, BY WHICH WE UNITE OUR WILL TO THE WILL OF
GOD, SIGNIFIED UNTO US BY HIS COMMANDMENTS, COUNSELS AND INSPIRATIONS. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter v of the conformity.htm

Of the Conformity of Our Will to the Will which God Has to Save Us ...
... BOOK VIII. OF THE LOVE OF CONFORMITY, BY WHICH WE UNITE OUR WILL TO THE WILL OF
GOD, SIGNIFIED UNTO US BY HIS COMMANDMENTS, COUNSELS AND INSPIRATIONS. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iv of the conformity.htm

Of the Love of Conformity Proceeding from Sacred Complacency.
... BOOK IX. OF THE LOVE OF SUBMISSION, WHEREBY OUR WILL IS UNITED TO GOD'S GOOD-PLEASURE.
CHAPTER I. OF THE LOVE OF CONFORMITY PROCEEDING FROM SACRED COMPLACENCY. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i of the love.htm

Whether the Goodness of the Will Depends on Its Conformity to the ...
... OF THE GOODNESS AND MALICE OF THE INTERIOR ACT OF THE WILL (TEN ARTICLES) Whether
the goodness of the will depends on its conformity to the Divine will? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the goodness of the 6.htm

Conformity (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Compliance with standard norms or uses.
Multi-Version Concordance Conformity (2 Occurrences). Ephesians ...
/c/conformity.htm - 7k

Justice (212 Occurrences)
... very nature. His legislative justice is his requiring of his rational
creatures conformity in all respects to the moral law. His ...
/j/justice.htm - 46k

Morality
... quality of an intention, a character, an action, a principle, or a sentiment, when
tried by the standard of right; the relation of conformity or nonconformity ...
/m/morality.htm - 7k

Truth (380 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The quality or being true; as: -- (a) Conformity to fact or reality;
exact accordance with that which is, or has been; or shall be. ...
/t/truth.htm - 57k

After (10866 Occurrences)
... (prep.) In imitation of; in conformity with; after the manner of; as, to make a
thing after a model; a picture after Rubens; the boy takes after his father. ...
/a/after.htm - 12k

Answer (2099 Occurrences)
... to repay. 10. (n.) To be or act in accommodation, conformity, relation,
or proportion to; to correspond to; to suit. 11. (vi) To ...
/a/answer.htm - 10k

Religion (23 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Specifically, conformity in faith and life to the precepts inculcated in
the Bible, respecting the conduct of life and duty toward God and man; the ...
/r/religion.htm - 101k

Authority (326 Occurrences)
... Science builds up its system in conformity with natural phenomena. ... Metaphysics
reconstructs the universe in conformity with some principle of truth or reality. ...
/a/authority.htm - 69k

Confound (9 Occurrences)

/c/confound.htm - 11k

Burial (25 Occurrences)
... of the bodies of Saul and his sons by the men of Jabesh-Gilead (1 Samuel 31:11-13)
seems to have been rather a case of emergency, than of conformity to any ...
/b/burial.htm - 42k

Why does Christ's righteousness need to be imputed to us? | GotQuestions.org

Is there such a thing as absolute truth / universal truth? | GotQuestions.org

What is predestination? Is predestination biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Conformity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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