B.I.B.O.

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

You don’t want to come to me for advice about your computer. Let’s just say that I’ve finally made it to the 19th century when it comes to technology. But there is one thing I’ve learned—the hard way. It’s known by the acronym G.I.G.O. — Garbage In, Garbage Out. In other words, input determines output. Whatever you put into your computer is what comes out of it.

The same is true of you, dear Christ follower. What you feed into your mind will influence your behavior. Think of it as “reaping what you sow.” That’s why it is absolutely essential that you expose your mind to things that are “true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy” [Philippians 4:8]. One old, country preacher put it this way, “If you cut yourself, you should bleed Bible verses!” Exaggerated? Yes. But it does speak about a passion for biblical truth that each and every Christ follower should share. 

Paul prayed for the Colossian Christ followers to be be filled “with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. The concept of being filled here, is the same idea Paul had in mind when he told the Ephesian Christ followers to be “filled with the Spirit” [Ephesians 5:18]. “Filled” is a matter of “control.” Be controlled by the Spirit, and be controlled by the knowledge of God’s will. The net results are the same. When you are filled with the Spirit, He will govern your choices. When you are filled with the knowledge of His will, your choices will reflect godly wisdom and understanding. 

I’m writing this eDevotion to encourage you to saturate your mind with God’s Word. The more Word you take in, the more it will control your behavior. Think of it this way: B.I.B.O. — Bible In, Bible Out!

Godly behavior is the result of godly thinking.

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.  Colossians 1:9-10