What examples from the Scriptures are there about not conforming to what is normal?

[jcob]

And your thoughts too? Im studying Romans 12:2.

[jayanna]

Jesus entire life was not conforming to what was normal. His life was the entire opposite of conforming to what people thought of as normal, beginning with the king being born in a manger, a child of 12 teaching in the temple, general laborers being called as apostles, as well as a tax collector (and given the priesthood in spite of what lineage they were) dining with sinners, doing the Lord's work on the Sabbath, etc.

try looking up worldliness in the TG there is a ton under that

Edited December 28, 2011 by jayanna

[Dravin]

And your thoughts too? Im studying Romans 12:2.

Generally speaking conforming is only bad when it requires going against gospel principles. With that in mind we have the example of Daniel and his compatriots refusing to eat Babylonian fare:

Daniel 1 

Likewise scriptural references to have the saints leave/come out of Babylon can be seen as a call to not conform to the ungodly expectations of 'the world'.

[Vort]

And your thoughts too? Im studying Romans 12:2.

There are many examples, too numerous to list, of righteous men willingly conforming to the commandments and true forms of worship and refusing to conform to the prevalent wickedness, and of wicked men doing the opposite.

I think "conformity" has become a bad word in our language; as a result, foolish men refuse to conform as a matter of principle -- as if the principle "don't conform to what other people do even if you should" is anything other than blind, stupid pride. I don't know which is more harmful: The human desire to conform, even to evil things, or the equally human desire to refuse conformity, even when desirable or necessary. Both are damnable.