Garbage In Garbage Out

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
(Galatians 6:7 – ESV)

We cannot completely stop Satan and evil spirits from attacking our minds, but we don’t have to allow their thoughts to become our thoughts. The shield of faith will quench the fiery darts of the wicked (Ephesians 6:16). That is, we don’t have to dwell upon demonic ideas and suggestions, taking possession of them. As it has been said, “You can’t keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from making a nest in your hair.” We have had a lifetime of pagan programming as according to the principles of this world. Now we must be renewed in our minds (Romans 12:2 / Ephesians 4:23).

In Ephesians 4:24-32, the apostle Paul said some good things about not letting the devil use you by lowering your standards. Verse 27 says, “Neither give place to the devil.” Romans 13:14 (ESV) echoes this sentiment, “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires”. We should be careful not to subject our minds to ungodly influences whenever it is within our control.

When we sit down in front of the television for an hour, or read the newspaper, we are putting out the welcome mat to be influenced with thoughts that may be satanic. Directly after He told the parable of the sower and the soils, Jesus warned us to take care what we listen to (Mark 4:24). Jesus knew the destructive effects of listening to lies, allowing Satan to plant his “seeds” in our hearts and minds. Those seeds may grow up into “thorns and thistles” which will ultimately choke the Word of God from our lives (see Mark 4:7, 18-19).

Proverbs 6:27 (NLT) – “Can a man scoop fire into his lap, and not be burned?” Garbage in, garbage out – what you let into your ears, eyes, etc., will come out. You cannot plant a bitter seed and expect a sweet harvest. Whatever is sown into your life will bloom, especially if you keep watering it by doing the same thing (i.e. you keep watching that show or magazine, or listening to that ungodly music, etc.). You may think that the filth you bring in is just a little thing, but that scrap will fester and stink more and more every day. The problem for many is that they get used to the smell. Eventually that stink will invade your whole life, just like a dead rat stuck in the walls of your home. You won’t know where the stink is coming from, but everyone will know it smells in there.

The way to resist the devil is to submit to God; when you draw closer to Him, you will find Him drawing closer to you (James 4:7-8). It is high time to take out the trash. He is more beautiful than that garbage you’re holding onto anyway.