Garbage Filters

http://www.last.fm/music/Tal%2B%2526%2BAcacia/_/Garbage+In?autostart


A couple of weeks ago we talked about filters. Filters strain our things that aren't wanted and let through what is needed.
IE: Oil filters clean out dirt so that the oil can get to the engine clean. Tea bags let the water through so that it can be flavored, but keeps the tea leaves from getting into your drink.


Check out the song above- Garbage In by Tal and Acacia.


Our world today is FULL of information, propoganda, ads, ideas, blogs, thoughts... everything anyone says --- 24/7.
Educated thinking is good, but t's really easy to just let ALL these ideas, (educated or not,) and ways of thinking influence what we believe and think, but Philippians 4 says:

“8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”


We all have filters... we decide whether or not to say things, what we agree with, what we will act on. But if we put 'garbage' into our minds, (useless or harmful thoughts and info,) our filters get dirty or clogged up. That's when things get messy. Things that we wouldn't have thought of doing or saying before are suddenly alright with us- or maybe we still think they're bad, but justify our actions by saying, 'it's everywhere, I may as well too.' Which can get you hurt.



Food for thought:
~What kind of gunk gets stuck in our filters?

~What’s the difference between a mind that’s open enough to consider new ideas, and a mind with a gaping hole that lets absolutely everything in?

~How can you clean out and clean up a clogged filter? If you took Philippians 4:8-9 seriously, how would your daily life be different?


Concluding idea -->

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." -Romans 12:2