Trash in, trash out. Ever heard of the concept? No, it has nothing to do with guilting people into recycling. It's a Christian ideal that says if you put trash in your heart or mind, trash comes out of your hear or mind. In layman's terms: If you listen to music or movies or friends that use bad words, eventually you begin to use those same bad words. Or if you watch pornography, you'll probably eventually lose your virginity (or at least be sexually impure). If you put trash in, trash comes out. Get the idea?
The opposite is always true: if you spend your time listening to Christian music or studying the Bible, you're more likely to grow spiritually from that. If you let God in, God's going to shine through you.
But the reason I'm writing is because I overheard a conversation yesterday between co-workers about trash in, trash out. Two people believed in the concept; another said it was too legalistic. I didn't get a chance to share my opinion; I was too busy taking orders.
So here, I wanted to say that I believe wholeheartedly in the concept. While I'm no physcology genius, I know from experience that the music, movies, and friends I surround myself with determine what goes in my heart and thus out of my mouth. I know this because in middle school, I hung out with kids who cussed. I hung out with kids who dated different people weekly for fun. I listened to the popular songs, which were usually about drugs, pre-maritial sex, adultery, parties, or some other godless theme. I watched a few raunchy or horror movies. And some of the effects of that trash are still stuck with me today, as I'm almost done with my Junior year of high school. Three years later and I can still remember the scenes, lyrics, and messages of those captivating yet corruptive things.
I think those who don't believe in trash in, trash out are only kidding themselves. Don't be deceived! Jesus Himself said, "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45). What you put in will come out. Jesus also said, "The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart" (Matt. 15:18).
Trash in, trash out. God in, God out.
What do you think?
2 comments:
Well said, and very true, perhaps that’s why i feel like i am only a mediocre Christian, because i don’t guard that much against trash coming in. Thanks for reminding me to pay attention to what I’m listening to.
I completely agree...You are what you watch, who you hang out with and what you do. If those things and people encourage you in your walk with the Lord then you are most likely to do better than if they don't.
That said however its definitely not always easy to do the right things...It take alot of prayer and God's help sometimes to avoid the trash esspecially when it seems "everyone else is doing it"
Not at all saying it can't be done just pointing out that it can definitely be a hard thing. =D
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