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

What is the standard of the world?

Strong concordance not only defined “world” as the universe but it also means perpetuity of time or the human lifetime or life itself.

What is it about life itself that we should not be in harmony or in agreement with?

In this life we have many good and pleasurable things to enjoy.

However, life is also filled with temptations, trials, problems, hardship and persecutions.

When these negative things overtake us, we should not yield to them or be in agreement with them.

Instead, we should allow the trials and persecutions to transform us.

Indeed, let the trials and testing of our faith produces patience (James 1:2-3)

We should always come out of the fire looking like pure gold and not as charcoal.

We can only accomplish this by the renewing of our mind.

The mind can only be renewed or restored by the Word of God (Joshua 1:8-9).

Another meaning of “world” is ungodly people who are alienated from God.

The lifestyle of ungodly men are contrary to the standard of God.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17 NKJV)

Ungodly people in this world lives according to what they can see, feel and touch. They are focus on the physical things things that they can accomplish. Consequently, this will lead to envy, greed, lust and pride.

They live according to the flesh and set their minds on the things of the flesh which will eventually lead to death (Romans 8:5-6).

As believers in Christ we should not conform to this pattern of behavior but our mind must be transformed to the standard of God.

God’s standard is that we live according to the spirit and and set our mind on the things of the spirit.

For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV)

Therefore, though we live in this world we are not of the world because Jesus is not of this world but has overcome the world (John 16:33; 17:14-16).

And the world is passing away, and the lust of it, but he who does the will of God abides forever. (John 16:33 NKJV)

Additional References: Isaiah 13; Matthew 4; 13; John 6:33; 8:12; 1 John 2