The acronym GIGO (garbage in, garbage out) was originally designed to describe inputting data to a computer.  Basically, it meant that if you entered good or accurate data, the end result would be good or accurate.  If you entered bad or incorrect data, your results would be bad or inaccurate.  The FreeDictionary describes it this way:  an informal rule holding that the integrity of output is dependent on the integrity of input.  It’s important to remember that our brains are organic computers capable of amazing things.  And we are constantly inputting new data–from all of our senses; sight, sound, taste, smell, touch, and any others senses we may not have recognized yet.

While the GIGO phrase came into being when physical computers began, God explained this long ago.  Matthew 15:19 explains: For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.  Luke 6:45 puts it this way: A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.  What you say flows from what is in your heart.  Mark 7:21-23 adds: For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.  All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.  How do we recognize this GIGO in ourselves and those around us?  For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you (Mark 7:21-23).  In James 3:8-12 we are told, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.  And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!  Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?  Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs?  No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.

Can a man who fills (or inputs) his life with worldly things show Christ to others?  The definition of GIGO above and the Scripture verses say, definitely not!  The definition uses the word “integrity,” to mean accuracy, truthfulness or honesty.  I’ve heard many say that integrity is what you do when you’re alone (And sometimes when you’re with people whose integrity might be questionable).  You might say that would never be me.  I’m a good person and I don’t do anything to hurt anyone else.  Remember Peter (the rock)?  He would never deny Jesus.  And yet as soon as he was out of contact with Jesus and in the midst of those who didn’t believe, he denied Him three times.  Yet, look what he accomplished later.

God speaks through Jeremiah in chapter 17 (9-10), The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?  I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind.  Expect to be tempted and expect to fail.  But use each failure to learn to depend on God each time.  Or, we can wallow in our sin and weakness and never become a person of integrity, no matter how hard we try to look like one.  The bottom line there is that  the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever (Jeremiah 17:9).

Flood your mind with good and positive things and learn from your mistakes.  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.  The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:8).