"Garbage In, Garbage Out"

“Garbage In, Garbage Out”

Computers aren’t my strong suit—just ask Karen or my hospital colleague who answers my many “Help!” calls! I’m OK with the basics of email, internet, Word and the hospital system but beyond this I’m lost. I still use a primitive cell phone for calls and texting and through a friend’s kindness have an iPad, but I certainly hope I’m a better chaplain than computer operator.

I don’t speak Computer-ese but one term I’m familiar with is “Garbage in, garbage out”.  According to Wikipedia it first appeared in 1957 in a syndicated newspaper article about mathematicians in the Army (when computers were in their infancy) in which a specialist used the expression to explain that the machines couldn’t speak for themselves but responded to what was entered. So if they were inputted sloppily or incorrectly the output would be flawed. Computers have come a long way in the last six decades but this overall principle hasn’t changed.

There’s another way we see “garbage in, garbage out” play out: in each of us. In His “discussion” with religious leaders after they attributed His healing of a demon-possessed blind and mute man to Beelzebub Jesus told them, “…Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good (person) brings good things out of the good in (him or her), and the evil (person) brings evil things out of the evil stored up in (him or her).” (Matthew 12:34-35, emphasis added). So if we put garbage into our hearts and minds can we expect good to come out? Since “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked….” (Jeremiah 17:9, NKJV) are we helpless? hopeless? Listen to what God says (emphasis added): “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you….” (Ezekiel 36:26) and “…Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2). So as we give our hearts and minds over to Him as “…living sacrifices….” (Romans 12:1) they come under His control and can be filled with what’s “…true…noble…right…pure…lovely…admirable….” (Philippians 4:8). As He works in us the garbage goes out and the godliness comes in.

The Apostle Paul concludes his summary of our duties to one another in God’s family (Romans 12:9-21) with, “Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Verse 21). Put another way, “Don’t let the garbage in and you won’t have to deal with its coming out.” I want to see this happen in my life—I pray you do as well.

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan