Garbage In, Garbage Out

by Cheryl S.
from Virtuous Daughters, August 2008~Volume 8, Number 5

Garbage in, garbage out. This term refers to what we put in our computer. It means that if we put “garbage” in our computer, we’ll get “garbage” out of our computer. Or, if we put in our computer that 6x7=49, then every time our computer calculates 6x7, it will say the answer is 49.
 
I found this so interesting. It reminded me of ourselves. If we allow garbage in our minds, then garbage will come out of our mouths, attitudes, and actions.

Think about this verse: Proverbs 23:7, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.” What are the things you spend time thinking about?
 
Again, the term garbage in, garbage out, also reminds me of this verse: Matthew 12:35, “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.”
 
Sometimes a parent is saddened or even shocked by some of the things their children or teenagers do, or attitudes they have. But what are the things “going into” that child? Now even though we are all sinners and born with a sin nature, some things have to be “put in” to “come out.”
 
So, it is of the utmost importance to guard what goes into our minds. My children are taught from a very early age to guard their eyes, ears, and mind. They are told to be careful about what they read, look at, listen to, and spend time thinking about. They are told to not to read, look at, listen to, or think about things where Christ could not join them. Of course, when they are young we do this for them, but as they get older, they must learn to do it for themselves. I try to explain to my children that I want God’s very best for them and for them to be surrounded by only good things in their lives.
 
“But there is sin everywhere,” you might say, “how can we avoid it?” Perhaps try looking down or reading Scripture as you pass an inappropriate billboard, not looking at the magazines at the checkout line in stores, walking away from people holding conversations they shouldn’t, and being very careful about what books you read.
 
If you were to ask some Christians if they would want an unexpected visit in their home from their pastor, they would say, “No way!” But Jesus Himself lives there.
 
Many years ago, we walked through every room in our house, imagining that Jesus was walking with us. Of course, as believers, we knew He was!  But it helped to think of it in a physical sense. We pretended He unexpectedly knocked on our door and wanted to see our home—all of it. We looked through every closet, drawer, etc. We asked ourselves if there was anything we would not want Jesus to see. We then got rid of worldly toys, books, videos, and music.
 
You see, even though we are careful about what comes in our home, sometimes our complacency, ignorance, or even selfish desires allow things in that we shouldn’t. Even seemingly “innocent” toys in the McDonalds kid’s meal can produce a worldly attitude. Or what about “Christian” books. Personally, I am shocked and saddened whenever I visit my local Christian bookstore. Just because something is labeled “Christian” doesn’t mean it’s Christ-like.
 
I think you can never be too careful about things like what you read, what you listen to, what you look at, or even who your friends are. I tell my children that it’s better to be “safe” than “sorry.” I would rather Jesus say, “You could have read that, or listened to that, or watched that,” than Him say, “Why did you read that, listen to that, or watch that?”
 
Let me leave you with one more wonderful verse. Memorize it if you don’t have it memorized already: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”--Proverbs 4:23
 
May the Lord bless you as you guard your eyes, ears, and mind!