A method and apparatus for selective programmable filtering using analog circuits with time-varying components (e.g., resistances, capacitances) is presented. An analog front end receives an electronic signal and filters said signal by a passive or active continuous-time filter, having a combination of equivalent memory-less (e.g., resistive) and memory (e.g., capacitive or inductive) elements. A variable resistor circuit allows switching through a range of values to control one or more of the equivalent resistances of the passive or active continuous-time filter. The variable resistors are controlled using a control circuit to periodically modulate the resistances in the continuous-time filter between periodic sampling instances, such as during analog to digital conversion. Such periodic modulation of the resistances in the continuous-time filter allows for the programming and enhancement of the selectivity of said filter.