Check Your Filters
What is the definition of a filter? Webster’s New World Dictionary defines a filter as a device for straining out impurities. In today’s world of technology we can relate that to a SPAM filter that is suppose to filter out unwanted emails from your Inbox. We also have oil filters, transmission filters, air conditioning filters, and on and on. Their sole purpose is to filter out unwanted materials so that the unit being filtered can
run more efficiently and have longer life.
However, those type filters are not the filters I want to talk to you about today. It is the filters that drive our thinking that I want us to consider. We all have them, and they influence all our decision-making. They can be family traditions; religious heritages; political affiliations; conservative or liberal bias on television, internet or radio; particular teachers or schools; ethnicity; etc. These are just a sample of the
filters that can influence our thoughts and decisions and in many cases cause us to spend our entire life believing a lie.
In the world that we live in it is imperative that we have a good filter that can identify and strain out all the lies and impurities. I heard someone say the other day that he saw something on the Internet so it must be true. Just because it is on the Internet, in a newspaper, reported on a major television news program, preached to you by your Pastor, or diagnosed by your doctor does not make it true. Too often we have become lazy
and do not want to dig for the truth and think for ourselves. It is simply easier to take someone else’s word for it. Besides, they are more educated and informed than we are. Right?? NO!! NO!! NO!!
The best and only filters that I know that work every time is the Word of God and the Spirit of God. If you will plug these filters into your heart and mind then you will know a lie when it comes your way; you will know right from wrong; you will not be deceived; you will make wise choices; and you will live a prosperous and satisfying life. Without these filters, you will constantly be guessing at the truth, searching for the
right answers, and subject to being led astray by others.
The Bible tells us that if WE abide in Him WE will know the truth and the truth will set us free. The Bible tells us that WE are to take into captivity every thought that exalts itself above the knowledge of God and cast it down. The Bible tells us that WE have no need of men to teach us but that the Spirit of God will teach us. How do WE do that? WE read the Word of God!!! WE listen to the Word of God!!! WE study the Word of God!!!!
Light dispels darkness!! You will be amazed how much discernment you will gain once you replace your thoughts with His thoughts and your plans with His plans. Am I saying you should not listen to your Pastor or look at a news program or go to a doctor? No! What I am saying is that all that information needs to go through a Godly filter. Do not take everything at face value just because of the source. I implore you today! Be your own person! Be an independent thinker with your roots deep in the
Word of God and the Spirit of God.
·That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Ephesians 4:14, KJV)
·And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32, KJV)
· My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. (Proverbs 4:20-22, KJV)
