Acts 14:1-7

Acts 14:1-7
English Standard Version (ESV)

  When we're working with financial data, there is a saying that applies to a lot of areas of life -- Garbage in, garbage out.  In other words, you can't do much if you have bad data to start with  No matter how much you process it, it can't portray anything accurate because the original data is flawed.
  I think the way verse 2 is phrased is really interesting.  You get the feeling that many Gentiles were listening, but the Jews stirred them up, poisoning their minds.  They probably spread lies and rumors and mistruths, convincing the Gentiles things that weren't true.  They put garbage in their minds so that the Gentiles would then repeat these lies to others, turning others away from the truth of the Gospel.  Garbage went in the ears and out the mouths.
  When you think about how you spend your time, do you take in things that will enrich you, that will build you up?  Do you take in things that are good?  Or do you mindlessly pay attention to garbage that fills your minds, then coloring your words and thoughts?  If we attune our senses to things that do not glorify God, these will influence how we think and talk.  In the same way, if we focus on what is good and true and enriching and lovely, these things will help tune our hearts to pay attention to what God has to say to us.