GARBAGE IN – GARBAGE OUT
Margaret and I were chatting a few days ago about a sermon we heard over 50 years ago about the essential importance of LETTING THE WORD OF GOD WORK IN OUR LIVES, The Preacher was not only majoring on the ministry of the Word to cause us to grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, but the ministry of the Word to deal with old habit patterns we had developed pre-conversion, and poor habit patterns we may have developed post-conversion.
Margaret then made the statement that I had not heard of for many years, it was the statement relative to inputing information into a computer. GARBAGE IN – GARBAGE OUT, I checked google for the best understanding of the statement. This is what it said.
INCORRECT OR POOR QUALITY INPUT WILL PRODUCE FAULTY OUTPUT.
We live in have to relate to a very sin-sick world and Paul tells us in Rom.12:2 Passion 2 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.
I love the J.B. Phillips translation which says “Don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold”. Unless we make a lifestyle of reading and meditating on the Word of God and letting the Word WORK IN US, the world’s lifestyle and practice will continue to pollute us.
The more we let the Word of God fulfil its work in us, those old habit patterns will no longer be a strong part of our lives, equally we can never relax but constantly be on the alert so we do not let the world’s pollution have any continued effect on us.
Let us consider strongly Joshua 1:8 NIV 1984 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
One of the key words in this verse is MEDITATE, chew over, speak it out, look at various translations, and pray LORD TURN THE LIGHT ON, and the Word will move from your head to your heart, and becomes a Rhema Word (The Sword of the Spirit) that produces faith in your heart, and help you to protect yourself from the pollution (faulty input) of the world.
May the Word of God and its important ministry become an increasing revelation to us, and let us become more and more, men and women of the Word, and experience the success and (Biblical) prosperity it promises.
I look forward to your response,