Be Careful Little Ears What You Hear

Philippians 4:8; Psalm 101:2-4; 1 John 2:15-17; Proverbs 4:23-27


I like to listen to music through my earbuds when I jog. I have a few different playlists I use to help set the mood and pace. I'm not alone. Music apps like Spotify even offer playlists created specifically for running and for workouts. In fact, Spotify has entire categories of playlists not only for genres, but for various moods, sleep, study, or just about anything you can think of. 

But music not only has the ability to set a certain mood, it can actually have a lasting effect. Everything that we choose to listen to, as well as everything that we choose to look at, can define who we become. There is a saying in computer science and mathematics; garbage in, garbage out. Just as it sounds, it acknowledges that the quality of output is determined by the quality of input. It's no different with humans.

In Luke 6:45 (NASB) Jesus says “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. What we choose to fill our heart and mind with will eventually make its way out of our mouth. It establishes who we are.

The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. We obviously have the option of following in the footsteps of those whose treasures are of this world or we can set our focus on the treasures above. But where do we start? How do we set our sights on the things above? Again, it's all about what we take in. Spending time daily in His Word and in prayer is a great start. It feeds and builds our spirit, which aides in diminishing the will of the flesh. We should also choose wisely what we listen to, read, watch, or even who we hang out with. All of these things either build the spirit or satisfy the flesh. In the end these very things define who we are. 

Philippians 4:8 (NASB) Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Pastor Mike Deese