Garbage In, Garbage Out

Whatever is true …think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Props:  You will need a trash can with a dome top/swing lid.  Draw a face on it (eyes and nose), using the front bottom opening of the swing lid as the mouth, and the back bottom opening of the swing lid as the head.  Tape a hat onto the top.  Prepare papers with “lies” written on them (“Watching bad shows won’t hurt me.” “I’m no good.” “God can’t help me with this problem.” “I can do whatever I want, as long as I don’t get caught.”)

            I have a little friend I’d like to introduce you to.  This is Greg…Greg the Garbage Head.  Greg’s head is just as good as anyone else’s.  The only problem is he fills his head with garbage.  He spends his time thinking about things that aren’t true.  For example, he thinks about all the shows on TV that he’d like to watch.  Of course, he knows that those shows aren’t good for him.  His church teacher has told him how dangerous it is to watch bad shows; his parents have told him he’s not allowed to watch them.  But Greg keeps telling himself, “Watching bad shows on TV won’t hurt me.”  (Hold up paper).  Instead of fighting off those thoughts with God’s truth, Greg keeps thinking that way.  (Crumple up paper and put it inside the back opening of the trash can).  Pretty soon, Greg is watching bad shows because he’s allowed himself to think about what is not true. 

            Then he starts to think, “I can do whatever I want, as long as I don’t get caught.”  (Hold up paper).  Is that true, boys and girls?  (Allow for response).  Can you really do what you want as long as you don’t get caught?  (Allow for response).  Of course not!  God always sees what you do and it does matter.  The more Greg thinks about being able to do anything, the more he believes it.  (Crumple up paper and put it inside trash can).  So he starts doing anything and everything—and hiding it all, of course.   

            Now something starts happening inside Greg’s head.  It’s filling up with trash, because Greg isn’t fighting the lies with the truth of God’s Word.  Then the enemy starts telling Greg he’s no good.  And Greg believes it.  (Hold up paper).  Every day Greg tells himself, “I’m no good.  Nobody cares about me.  No one loves me.  I don’t have any friends.”  (Crumple up paper and put it inside trash can).  This is exactly where the devil wants to keep Greg.  Finally, Greg begins listening to the lie, “God can’t help me.”  (Hold up paper, crumple it and put it inside trash can).  

            Greg is in serious trouble.  His head is filled with lies.  And what do you think is going to come out of his mouth?  (Allow for response).  Lies, of course.  (Reach in to garbage can through the “mouth” and pull out papers as you speak).  When Greg talks, he’s going to tell people all of these things. 

            What do you think will help Greg?  (Allow for response).  Greg will get better when he fills his mind with God’s Word—the truth.  That’s the only cure for a garbage head. 

            Remember, don’t be a garbage head—fill your mind with God’s truth.