By Joe Chesser
In the early
days of computing, the expression “Garbage In, Garbage” (GIGO) became popular.
In the rare case that you are unfamiliar with the expression, it basically
means that flawed or incorrect information entered in a computer cannot produce
anything but flawed or incorrect results. The first known use of GIGO was in a
1957 syndicated newspaper article about US Army mathematicians and their work
with early computers. Army Specialist William Mellin explained that since
computers cannot think for themselves, sloppy programming inevitably leads to
incorrect outputs. (see the Wikipedia article for specific references to these
facts).
Even though we
humans, unlike computers, do have brains and can think for ourselves, we don’t
always choose to do it very well. The sad truth is that, while we do have the
capability of logic and reason, our thinking processes are heavily influenced
by the information we allow to shape and influence our reasoning. That can be a
good thing, if the information we allow to influence us is good and wholesome.
But unfortunately, much of what we choose to let enter our thoughts will lead
us away from God, not toward Him.
This kind of
evil influence began way back at the beginning of time with Adam and Eve when
they allowed Satan to deceive them into distrusting and disobeying God. Since
then his evil influence has permeated the entire human world. Just a few
generations after Adam and Eve, during the days of Noah, “the Lord saw that the
wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the
thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6.5). From that point
until this very moment, Satan has been successfully influencing our minds with
all kinds of evil influences (movies, TV, internet, books, clothing styles,
drugs, alcohol, advertisements, greed, jealousy, peer pressure, etc.). Thus the
truth of GIGO. The things (garbage) we allow Satan to put into our minds will
only lead us to sin which separates us from God (Isaiah 59.1-2).
The good news is
that we can, if we choose, have a lot of control over what we allow to
influence us. God gives us that choice. God gives us the ability to
intentionally decide to fill our heads with “whatever is true, whatever is
honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
commendable” (Philippians 4.8a). I know this because the rest of that verse
issues the challenge: “if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy
of praise, think about these things” (Philippians 4.8b). Instead of fillings
our heads with garbage, there are plenty of true, honorable, just, pure, lovely
and commendable things that we can choose to think about IF we want to. IF you
will, you can consistently fill your minds with these kinds of things. IF you
do, the results will be awesome! When Jesus was tempted by Satan, he resisted
whatever Satan put before him because he had previously filled his mind with
the Scriptures, good things from God (Matthew 4.1-11).
Despite what
comedian Flip Wilson claimed back in the 70s, the devil cannot make you do
anything. It may seem like it at times. The devil’s influence can seem
overwhelmingly powerful. Yet, we need to remember that God has placed
restraints on how much and how far Satan is allowed to tempt us: “No temptation
has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not
let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide
the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10.13).
What a powerful promise from our
faithful God!!
God gives us a
choice. We can fill our heads with garbage, or we can fill our heads with
things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and commendable.
The choice is yours. The results are
predictable. “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces
good, and the evil person out of his evil heart produces evil” (Luke 6.45).
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