Filters are important. Whatever type of filter you have, its intended purpose is the same. Let the good stuff in and keep the bad stuff out. If you have a filter that is failing it can let all types of stuff through. Another issue can be caused by a clogged filter, which can restrict the flow of the good. An issue with your filter can cause all types of undesirable outcomes.
We also must have spiritual filters that we keep clean. We can use the Word of God as a filter as to what we do and don’t allow in our lives. If we aren’t staying in the Word and using it to measure what we do then we can have a broken filter allowing things in that shouldn’t be there.
The Word says in Matthew 6:22-23 (Easy English) ‘Eyes are like lamps and your body is like a room. If your eyes are like a clean lamp, then your whole body will have light. If your eyes are not good, then your whole body will be in the dark. If the light in your body has become dark, you will live in a very dark place.’ One understanding of this is if we watch things that are not holy then we will darken our soul because our eyes have been darkened by what we have watched. We can’t just watch or listen to just any old thing.
I have often heard Psalm 101:3 quoted as pertaining to what we watch. Honestly though nearly the entire Psalm can be applied to the type of entertainment we allow in our homes, that we allow our eyes to see. Read through this Psalm carefully examining it and applying it to what you watch.
Psalm 101:1-8 KJV
1 I will sing of mercy and judgment: unto thee, O LORD, will I sing.
2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.
3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
4 A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person.
5 Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.
6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
7 He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.
8 I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
Very quickly the Psalmist begins to talk about what he would allow in his house. He talks of things that he would not allow before his eyes. He lists things that he would and would not allow in his presence. This is all to keep his filter clean. These things can clog up the filter of our eyes and mind and cause many undesirable outcomes. Depression, anger, being easily offended, becoming carnally minded, drawing away from God are just a few.
So that our filters don’t get clogged and stop the flow of the Spirit, we must use the Word of God as our filter as to what we do and don’t allow in our lives. The only way that we can do this is stay in the Word. Read it, listen to it, talk about it. Let it become part of who you are.
Philippians 4:8 KJV Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Deuteronomy 6:5-9 KJV 5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.