Should I get rid of all of my video games?

[Kevin252010]

I ask this question because I am going through deliverance right now and I am at a part with getting rid of any occult ties I may have.

The most video games I play is Pokemon which I am sure almost everyone has heard of. I know I am almost 27 but still I am a Pokemon fan and I play Pokemon almost daily.

Other video games I only play now are Mario Bros. and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

The systems I have is basically every Nintendo system out there:

I have a Nintendo Entertainment System or NES
I have a Super Nintendo Entertainment System or SNES
I have the Nintendo 64 or N64
I have the Nintendo GameCube or GCN
I have a Nintendo Wii or Wii

The portable systems I have are:

Game Boy Advanced SP or SP
Nintendo DS or DS
Nintendo Dsi or Dsi
Nintendo 3ds or 3ds

I don't play very many computer games except for a game called
Yu-Gi-Oh! based off a Japanese trading card game.

I think I should get rid of all of my Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh! games.

And why not all of my systems too? But I don't want to sell all of them for example: ebay just because it would such a hassle. So I might just destroy them all.

Unless anyone else has any other suggestions? Thank you.

 

[Peace Seeker]

Getting rid of occult ties is certainly a good course of action, and as such - as far as I have seen - the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles show has themes of white and black magic, so that occult tie should be severed IMHO.

God puts thoughts on our hearts for a reason, so perhaps some more prayer by you on this matter may (or may not) be needed, so you'll know for sure what He wants you to do. For instance, does He want you to get rid of all your gaming systems? I don't know (and what purpose would that serve?). I have an X-Box 360, but I basically just play sports games on it, and rarely at that.

And we must remember that an object (IE: a gaming system) is not evil, it's what you do with it that matters. So perhaps keeping your favorite system for use with non-occultic games would be an option for you? Or maybe you don't want the systems anymore because you feel you might be tempted to eventually use them for occult games again?

Just listen to God and you'll know what you have to do.

 

[Fraction]

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Are the video games directly affecting you from having a relationship with God? Ex. Do you find that video games are more important than your relationship with God?

2. Are they inspiring you to lose self control of emotions and feelings? Ex. When a game causes you to be frustrated, does that frustration carry over to real life?

3. Do the games influence you in a negative way? Ex. If playing a game with violence, does the mayhem cause you to desire mayhem in real life?

I have never found video games of any type to be threatening to my life or faith. They have never once influenced me into making a bad decision or have an altered personality or morality.

You should also pray on it as well, and go by how God answers your question/questions.

 

[Accune]

Yes if they are not pure and come between you and your relationship with God get rid of them.I had to do the same thing,it was hard but ask and God and he will give you strength to do so. 1 Corinthians 10:31 "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

 

[Kevin252010]

To let everybody know I got rid of my video games last night.

 

[Truehearts]

Such a wonderful decision. I hope more guys will do the same. This reminds me of the verse Mark 9:27.... well, you cant bring Nintendo in heaven anyway, might aswell get used to not having it.

God bless brother.

 

[dannibear]

I was addicted to guitar hero and I played numerous
online games with people around the world, and would
stay cooped up in my room all the time. Eventually
I lost my interest and began my new thirst for God's Word.
I found myself feeling much more satisfied after reading
the Bible and doing study with devotionals than I did
playing video games for hours. I also felt like I accomplished
something whereas playing video games made me feel like
I wasted my day. We all have a God sized hole in our heart
that only God, not games, can fill. Just my personal experience
with it. Your not alone in your endeavor of getting rid of your
games.

 

[eddieb]

anything can become an idol. a wise man who use to minister to me by the spirit of God thru him once told me if his hair got to important to him he had to cut it. his hair was long. (not trying to get all legalistic here with the bible saying its a shame for a man to have long hair, this is just a refrence.) if you feel as though you must ask the question should i oust this from my life, then i would say The Holy Spirit is already pulling at the strings of your heart. He works on our heart and minds in a way thats so gentle a lot of times we dont realize He is at work. a lot of video games have themes from unclean or darkness type things. as long as God is first in your life then everything seems to work out. i dont mean life will be a bed of roses, i mean God sees us keeping his commands and honoring Him and then he helps to to keep on keepin on. I dont believe all games are bad. the last time i went to jail i asked God to teach me to play chess. when i slept i had dreams i was playing chess. the board and pieces was made of light. i couldnt look up to see my opponent. there is nothing anyone can say that will change my mind i was playing God chess. now i have a computer chess game. i play often. however when i play to much my spiritual life/walk diminishes. i cant play to much. i cant waste the time i should be praying or reading the word or just singing and lifting my hands by playing chess to much.
i want to add If in fact God is pulling the strings of your heart to drop these games, and you do obey, God will like that. He will be pleased. and light obeyed increases light. light not obeyed decreases light. There is no greater joy than to know God is smiling because we did good in his eyes. at least for me it is.

 

[Wilvan]

I don't see why you must get rid of your video games, they are just games for entertainment. If the games don't cause you to transgress the 10 Commandments, there's nothing wrong with them, IMHO.

 

[Peace Seeker]

I don't see why you must get rid of your video games, they are just games for entertainment. If the games don't cause you to transgress the 10 Commandments, there's nothing wrong with them, IMHO.

I don't think ALL games need to be gotten rid of, but some games obviously should be. And I don't know why a violent or occult-ish game should be considered entertaining, unless one is desensitized to it and it’s no longer shocking, and one's ability to judge right from wrong has been adjusted because of that desensitization.

Also, I think the issue is more than just the 10 Commandments. We are to be Christ-like in our doings and to crucify the desires of the flesh. And the flesh never desires anything good.

Psalm 101:3
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes; I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.

Psalm 141:4
Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties.

Plus the morality being presented by a lot of these violent/occult games is not wholesome.

We all have a conscience that we need to pay attention to.

 

[gdemoss]

Danger

When Paul spoke to Timothy about the condition of the church in our age he said:


1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

After the list of things that includes being a lover of pleasures more than a lover of God, Paul mentions to Timothy how he has suffered for the ministry through longsuffering, persecutions and afflictions. He says that we will suffer in a like manner if we do it right. He contrasts this by saying evil men will wax worse and worse.

When speaking about the Israelites and their idolatry in the wilderness in 1 Corinthians. Paul takes us back to the golden calf. The strange thing is that he never mentions the calf as their idolatry. He speaks of their idolatry as eating and drinking and rising up to play. They chose to make an idol to be their god so that they could do as they pleased and not as God commanded them. They were pleasure seekers.

Emulations, as it is know as a sin, is the act of striving to be better than others for carnal glory and honor. Our world is filled with those who partake in such things. We have Hollywood with all its glam and awards shows. We have many different types of professional sports that are all about carnal glory and honor. We have list upon list of different kinds of rewards ceremonies for most any kind of thing you can think of. All of which are loaded down in sin through the pride of life, but no man has received something that he wasn't first given by God.

So we sit around playing games and entertaining ourselves for what purpose? We glorify God in what way by doing so? I am an ex-gamer, ex-tvwatcher, ex-sportsfan and an ex-lover of self who continuously seeks to entertain myself. The thing that is frightening is that we are supposed to pick up our cross and die to ourselves daily, yet this idea of seeking entertainment for self continuously reigns in many believers lives.

God has said that at his right hand are pleasures forevermore. I am not willing to risk loosing that just to have a few years of pleasure down hear. Instead, I would rather focus my time on studying the word of God, ministering to those who have needs and preparing myself for the kingdom of God that I may serve him well, not me. In doing so, I have found that I didn't loose any of my fulfillment that I left off from seeking entertainment but became filled with the real joy of knowing and serving God. I don't miss any of the things I used to chase after and waste my time doing. I do play the occasional game with my family for the purpose of doing something constructive together. Our favorite is bible trivia, but we seek to build one another up and not trump each other showing ourselves to be better than others.

We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account for how we spent our time in the body. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind as we shall all bear our own burden. May we all hear those precious words "Well done thou good and faithful servant."

Gary

 

[Accune]

^ I agree and a lot of those things can be a waste of time.Being an exgamer myself,I use to love playing rpgs and I could at one session spend 2-3 hours on the game.

 

[Kevin252010]

^ I agree and a lot of those things can be a waste of time.Being an exgamer myself,I use to love playing rpgs and I could at one session spend 2-3 hours on the game.

I totally agree. I used to spend 2-3 hours or even more playing my rpgs. Which was definitely a waste of time for me.

 

[Kevin252010]

ex-gamer, ex-tvwatcher, ex-sportsfan and an ex-lover of self who continuously seeks to entertain myself

I know once I got rid of my video games I am continuously finding to seek entertainment for myself.

I am having a lot of anxiety trying to find out what to do all day since all I used to do was play video games all day.

On Tuesday afternoon it was the worse. I had a really bad anxiety attack

My heart was racing, I had bad chest pains, and I could feel my arms tingling.

I really thought it was the end for me.

I don't want to ever go through that again.

 

[rizen1]

To let everybody know I got rid of my video games last night.

That takes true maturity and prove your hunger for meat. I pray that God will continue to reveal himself to you and strengthen you. The entertainment of this world is poison, some people love this world too much to give up their entertainment. They are blind to see the destruction in it.

Now is finding something to replace that activity, spend some time reading the bible, go out and fellowship with christians, join a ministry, donate your time to help someone in need.

Be blessed

 

[gdemoss]

I know once I got rid of my video games I am continuously finding to seek entertainment for myself.

I am having a lot of anxiety trying to find out what to do all day since all I used to do was play video games all day.

On Tuesday afternoon it was the worse. I had a really bad anxiety attack

My heart was racing, I had bad chest pains, and I could feel my arms tingling.

I really thought it was the end for me.

I don't want to ever go through that again.

I went through this with TV. I had no idea how much of my identity was wrapped up in it. The neat thing is as you let go, they go away and we are able to back fill the time with better things. My studies of the Word became first and paramount as I sought hard after the righteousness of God and his kingdom.

I pray the Lord God Almighty reward you openly for your efforts to seek after righteousness. But don't forget Peter said that we shouldn't be shocked at the firey trial which is to try us as if some strange thing has happened to us. There will be more trials as you grow but the end resulting growth makes you stronger in the anointing of Christ and able to get closer to the place Paul spoke from when he said, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Peace brother,

Gary

 

[Peace Seeker]

I know once I got rid of my video games I am continuously finding to seek entertainment for myself.

I am having a lot of anxiety trying to find out what to do all day since all I used to do was play video games all day.

On Tuesday afternoon it was the worse. I had a really bad anxiety attack

My heart was racing, I had bad chest pains, and I could feel my arms tingling.

I really thought it was the end for me.

I don't want to ever go through that again.

Those are withdrawal symptoms you're having, which is what happens when someone gives up an addiction. Usually addictions take 2 weeks or so to break, so hang in there and resist the feelings and urges to go back to the games, these symptoms will soon pass and you'll have peace!

Since I gave up television and purged my dvd collection years ago I have been amazed at how many different things there are to do, and I haven't missed those old addictions one bit. You have free time now to pursue things that may interest you, such as volunteering, taking some classes, going to places you like to visit and hang out, etc.

Do you like building things such as model cars? That's a hobby some men like doing. Go bowling with friends, go for a walk, do a workout at the gym, go to the park and fly a kite if it's windy out, etc. Do you have pets you can enjoy more time with? These are just simple examples off the top of my head, everyone has something they enjoy doing and you know what you like. So have a brainstorm session with yourself and see what you can come up with!

For a hobby I got myself a metal detector, which achieves my goal of getting out of the house and getting some exercise. Plus I find it fun!

And yes, without the video games you have more time to devote to bible studies, fellowship with others, etc.

God Bless!!

 

[Accune]

Wow it is amazing how God works and brings certain scriptures up again during the day.I have been having anxiety attacks and blasphemous thoughts and crazy feelings.When I am out and about they are less frequent,but I am still holding on to my faith.Before the attacks came I just began to limit my television time and quit video games.Sorry for the little side track but God spoke to me through this thread by bringing that verse in one of Peter's letters again.

 

[DraKKar]

One of my favorite games is called The Saboteur. In it you are an Irish racing driver who gets caught up in World War 2. You join the French resistance and help fight the Nazis in Paris. As you can imagine you do a lot of killing of German soldiers in the game. Is playing this game wrong? Even if the people you are killing are Nazi soldiers? As with most of these games, it is very violent.

 

[jari]

everyone has to decide what's right and wrong for them. I don't believe there's such thing as totally forbidden video games. depends on the game though.