GIGO (Matthew 12:34-35; 22:37; Mark 12:30; Galatians 4:6; Romans 12:2)

GIGO

Years ago, when the computer industry was in it's fledgling stages, someone coined the expression "GIGO", which was meant to mean, in negative fashion, "Garbage in, Garbage out". This, of course, was to say, that the computer can only do what you program it to do, and output was what was imputed. You can, however, reprogram the computer, with new soft wear, to change what it is able to produce. Looking at the term from a positive perspective, "GIGO" can mean, "Good stuff in, Good stuff out".

MATTHEW 12:34-35

Jesus said, "...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good person out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things, and an evil person out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things".

ZIG ZIGLAR, in his motivational speeches, is credited with saying:

"You can change what you are, and change where you are, by changing what goes into your mind"

IMPUTTING

He was, of course, a born again Believer, and "borrowed" this idea from scripture, presenting the fact, that you can be reprogrammed, imputing and embracing new scriptural thoughts and ideas, to change the output in your life.

MORE PRECIOUS

Significantly, considering our Father God, as more precious and valuable, than anything or anyone else in our lives, to the point that we would give everything we are for Him and to Him, at the exclusion of all others, is the definition of the Greek word most commonly translated "love" (agape, 25), in the NT and the Greek translation (LXX) of the OT.

IN & OUT

Jesus said, the most important commandment is to hold, our Father God, as the most valuable and the most precious to us, IN our entire heart, and IN our entire soul, and IN our entire mind (Matt. 22:37) [The Greek word (en, 1722) is used]. Because our Father God is more valuable and precious, than anyone or anything else, IN the core of our entire being; IN our entire life; and IN the entire way that we think (Matt.22:37), then, and only then, He is expressed as more valuable and precious, FROM OUT OF all our heart; FROM OUT OF all our soul; FROM OUT OF all our mind; and FROM OUT OF all our strength. [ The Greek word (ek, 1537) is used] (Mk. 12:30).

MATTHEW & MARK

Very few translations make the distinction, that Matthew says, the condition of considering Him the most valuable and precious, above all others, is IN the entire core of our being, and IN our entire life; and IN our entire way of thinking (Matt.22:37), whereas Mark identifies, that if, internally we value Him as most precious to us, then this will be expressed, FROM OUT OF the entire core of our being, FROM OUT OF our entire life, FROM OUT OF our entire way of thinking, and FROM OUT OF our entire strength (Mk.12:30).

VALUE HIM

When we are born of God, the Holy Spirit of our Father comes and makes His home in us. "...God has sent the spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, 'Daddy, Father' " (Gal.4:6), so it is the most natural of expressions for we, who are His children, to value Him above and beyond all else, when we are dominated by His Spirit within.

This means, not being conformed to this world, but being transformed by the renewing of our mind:

ROMANS 12:2

"Be not conformed to this world; but be reformed in the newness of your mind..." (Douay Rheims)

"Instead of being molded to this world, have your mind renewed, and so be transformed..." (Moffatt)

"...stop assuming an outward expression that does not come from within you and is not representative of what you are in your inner being but is patterned after this age; but change your outward expression to one that comes from within and is representative of your inner being, by the renewing of your mind..." (Wuest)

"Stop living in accordance with the customs of this world, but by the new ideals that mold your minds, continue to transform yourselves..." (Wms)

"You must not adopt the customs of this world but by your new attitude of mind be transformed..." (Gspd)

"Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude]..." (Amp)

CHOOSE

This is not simply intellectual rhetoric, but obviously, if our Christian success flows out of what is inside us, and our valuing our Father above all else [(agape,25), love], then we need to embrace that reality, but it is not automatic, or we wouldn't be exhorted to proactively choose [that is the optimum word], to value God, above everything and everyone else, in our lives.

WILLIAMS

Williams translation seems to say it best:

"Stop living in accordance with the customs of this world, but by the new ideals that mold your minds, continue to transform yourselves..."

CHOOSE

This is an indisputable fact, that what we allow to dominate our mind, will also dominate our life. WE CHOOSE, what goes into our life, and therefore, WE CHOOSE, what comes out of our life, whether it is demonstrated love for God, our Father, and others, or a myriad of other destructive and detrimental behaviors.

HABITS for LIFE

Here are basic habits to develop in your life:

1. Read; study; mutter; listen to, the Word of God daily.

2. Talk with Him daily (we call that prayer).

3. Hang around positive people; friends, that demonstrate the first two habits.

4. Be involved in a growing church that encourages and demonstrates the first three habits.

If we are going to love Him with everything IN us (Matt.22:37), so that the love for Him, is demonstrated OUT of us (Mk.12:30), we need to put the Good Stuff in, to get the Good Stuff out (GIGO!).

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours