I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Romans 12:1-5

Paul takes these warnings of the Lord concerning allegiance to the world further causing us to know that:

1. the wisdom of this world and that of its princes (rulers) are different from that of God, and that the princes or rulers of this world DO NOT know the wisdom of God! Why will you follow those who will lead contrary to God and expect to be on any terms with God? (1 Corinthians 2:6,8);
2. the prince of this world had blinded the minds of those who follow him so they cannot see and understand the wisdom of God, and be saved (2 Corinthians 4:3,4,6); and
3. these blinded minds, subjects of the prince of this world, this same prince of the power of the air, are the children of disobedience that  populate this world. If as a believer you understand this, why do you continue to follow these children of disobedience, setting them as standards to look up to? (Ephesians 2:1-4)

Our culture has no shortage of worldly voices and pressures that fill minds and influence behavior. Paul subtly introduces in Romans 12:3 the dangers of comparisons between:

1. One another as believers – each believer must by soberliness in God’s grace recognize God working in him or her and that there is no room for glorying in self or comparing one with another; and
2. Us as believers with unbelievers.

Intentionality demands that we subject ourselves to the tools that God uses in shaping us into the image of His Son, not the children of this world nor yet its princes. These tools are:

1. God’s word, not just the Sunday dinner of the word served by the pastor. We individually need to spend time reading the Bible;
2. Prayers, as of complete dependence upon God, not duty but of intimacy and love for Him; and
3. Fellowship with other believers where we learn to love one another, find encouragement, receive biblical instruction and experience accountability in these perilous days.

Are you intentional in your walk with God? Selah.