And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2, NAS)
This is a verse that I have read and heard so many times in my life, but it is interesting to take a closer look in the word transformed and find the meaning in the Greek. It is also interesting to read this verse in other translations, like for instance the New Living Translation:
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.(Romans 12:2, NLT)
The original Greek word is the root of the word metamorphosis, which is the process of transformation that turns a worm into a butterfly. In other words, there is a way in God for us to become something totally different than what we are right now, we can have a nature change and become what we are not. And the way it happens is allowing God to change the way we think. There must always be a renewing of our minds and of the way we think; that happens by constantly being washed by the Word of God.
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. (Colossians 3:10, NLT)
For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. (1 Peter 1:23, NLT)