Garbage In Garbage Out

A good person produces good things from a treasury of a good heart, and an bad person produces bad things from the treasury if a bad heart. What you say and do flows from what is in your heart.

My son was in the service and in training they were told they could eat whatever they wanted during meal times. He said they had a table with all kinds of desserts. My son loving his sweets went and got a few extra helpings. That night they were to go on a 2-mile ruck (running with a 50 lb backpack ). All the guys who ate dessert had to run 3 miles the sergeant told them garbage in garbage out. A powerful lesson.

This concept of garbage in garbage out is even powerful and telling in our spiritual life. If we allow garbage into our hearts and minds, out will come anger, hate, grudge holding, immortality, stealing, lying gossiping, backbiting, jealousy and more bad character and conduct. But if we allow God ti dwell in our hearts and we follow His Word, and seek His help in prayer, and are sharpened by Christ like people everything can be different. Our attitudes and actions will show the fruit of the Holy Spirit – love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. No wonder Jesus sent Paul to teach us,

“Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy, think about such things. Whenever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you“ -Philippians 4:8-9

Paul tells us to ponder and practice godly things, he’s really telling us to focus on Jesus who embodies these virtues . Following Jesus in our thinking, being, and doing. He wants followers and not a fan club. Focus on the Lord and His ways helps us to develop spiritual muscles and a good mental filter. When we focus on God, we can avoid life-sapping, love-sapping habits. We can steer clear of behaviors that are dishonest, sinful, or impure. Paul tells us our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, who you have received from God. Jesus bought us with the price on the cross. We should honor God will our bodies.