Read Philippians 4:8

After the destruction of any city, people are tasked with rebuilding the city, including the walls and gates. In history, gates were an important part of a city as, when they were open, people could freely enter and when they were closed, any unwanted company was left out. The walls and gate signified boundaries around the city to protect it.

Have you heard the saying, “What comes in, must go out”? Or maybe “Eye gate” and “ear gate”?

Think of what Jesus says in Matthew 15:17-20:

“Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated?  But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and those things defile the person.  For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, acts of adultery, other immoral sexual acts, thefts, false testimonies, and slanderous statements. These are the things that defile the person; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the person.”

The principle here is our eyes and ears are the gate to our thinking and feeling and, when we are filling our eyes and ears with things of this world, our heart will begin to change and that is what comes out.

Ask yourself these questions:

What are you listening to? Are you filling your ears with the focus on the news and the opinions of men? Are you listening to music that is filled with worldly views?

What are you watching? Are you watching unrighteous material that could cause you to stumble?

Your ears and eyes are the gate to your thoughts and heart. If you are focusing on “whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, worthy of praise” … how are these things changing your worldly view to a biblical worldview?

Take note of what you spend your time listening to and watching and see how these things line up with God’s Word.

Kelly Lawson