Video Games...I want some other believers perspective

[Ed]

Sin is considered anything that separates us from God. If I play/devote an hour a day to anything...guitar, basketball, checkers, family, etc. And still devoate a MAJOR part of my life towards God, family, church, etc then where is the sin in playing a video game? There are worse things one can do on the computer...browse pornographic websites, get involved in some stupid arguments with non-believers on doctrine, etc.

One thing to think about for the gamers:

If you are playing a subscription based game, then you have to think about how much time you are dedicating to the game: if you are paying...I don't know how much..$9.99-$19.99 a month to play World of Warcraft (I HATE that game, lol), then how much time are you really dedicating to it? Now when you think about that...is the cost worth it? There are free alternatives, though they are few, but they are just as good, and FREE!

 

[Alaska Mom]

I'm an occassional player of video games myself. I think it really depends on what you're playing. A Kingdom of Keflings for instance, the only thing in this game that really seems wrong is when the Mayor tells you to kick the Keflings, something one can choose to ignore. Left4Dead on the other hand, probably not the best video game to spend your time playing. That said, one of my favorite video games is Fallout 3. While one can choose to be good, neutral, or evil, you still have to do some morally wrong things to be a good character.
My point being (before I go off onto a "these are the video games that I know about" tangent) as in life, I think video games are really about choice. I don't think there is anything wrong with playing Wallace and Gromit. I do however, think there's something wrong with playing Grand Theft Auto. As in life, I think it's okay to hang out with ones friends however, omiting certain activities that seems to be the norm for people these days, such as drinking to excess or doing drugs.
So, there you have my take on video games. I hope this helped!

 

[NY Believer]

There is nothing inherently wrong with video games, movies, music, books, ect but it's all about the content.

I think a believer needs to use some maturity and discernment when choosing what to use as entertainment and ask the question "how has God transformed my heart?"

If He has really transformed your heart, can playing violent and bloody video games truly be entertainment? Same goes for movies or music with objectionable content.

Some verses I have thought about when thinking about the media in my life:

Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

Psalm 11:5 The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates.

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

 

[Ed]

You know...I for one, even though I am a Christian, have watched most (not all) of the Harry Potter movies. But I've never read the books. I like the movies for their fantasy appeal and their special effects. But after I watch the movies, I can put them away and really not dwell on them.

The same goes for video games. I remember when I was in grade school how Dungeons and Dragons was a really big deal in the nerd:shade: circle, but I never really got into it.

 

[Doughboy]

As long as you don't start praying to Master Chief or Commander Shepard (something along those lines) :

There is nothing wrong with Halo, or Mass Effect, they are great shooters and are no different than playing a war game. I do agree though there are games to steer clear of. Games that take you mind off God, games that corrupt your mind so that that is all you are thinking about and games with nudity or strong sexual content and language as those are immoral and they are the only thing that will ruin a game for me. That's why I like GTA Vice City best of the GTA games, the radio stations in cars aren't swearing all time, little language in the game it's self, only problem is all the women are in bikinis.

 

[Ed]

Women in bikinis are problems? I'd say women out of bikinis are problems

 

[Doughboy]

Women in bikinis are problems? I'd say women out of bikinis are problems

True, but one can still feel convicted and tempted seeing a woman in a bikini

 

[letusgo27]

Hi look I dont think that all computer games are evil or anything like that. but at the same rate we must aks ourself some questions.

Does this take away from my time time witht things that really matter?

also is this game immoral and this is Biblically not your own opinnion.

Jesus said if you lust after a woman in your heart you have commited adultry. so the question is should a Professed Follower of Jesus christ take joy in killing even if it is not real.

I know for myself that in my walk with God i have been convicted to give up games that involve killing, bad language, fantasy and sexual imorality. For that matter I have been convicted on movies and TV as well.

what you behold you become much study has been done into this. those who think playing and viewing violence etc does not effect us are speaking from ignorance. No you might not become saome mass murderer but remember what Jesus said whatever is done in the heart you have done for real as far as God is concerned. What would Jesus Do?

 

[Ed]

True, but one can still feel convicted and tempted seeing a woman in a bikini

I was kidding.....

 

[Doughboy]

I was kidding.....

I'm glad to hear that

 

[Ed]

No you might not become saome mass murderer but remember what Jesus said whatever is done in the heart you have done for real as far as God is concerned. What would Jesus Do?

Yeah, but then Jesus said that the Pharisees allowed the people to praise them for their good deeds, and yet they still needed to wash their inner parts. Obviously those of us who do enjoy video games aren't going around blowing apart everything that moves (well at least not if it doesn't have tentacles and an evil look), and can separate ourselves from the video games.

 

[SpiritLedEd]

....and can separate ourselves from the video games.

Maybe the answer lies here: Video games vs. worship, prayer, Scripture study, and Kingdom work; which gets the bigger portion of our time?

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
(Mt 6:21 NIV)

SLE

 

[Fruity]

Ephesians 5:4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

When it says "which are out of place", it surely means it's always out of place, including coarse joking. After all, since when is foolish talk or obscenity 'in place'.

Now I don't want to say anything that I don't know if it is true or not, so please don't take what as I say as absolute.

But things like pornography and swearing in games are a big no-no. They have the same effect in a game as they do in real life, don't they?

Swearing is obviously the same, but what about pornography? Pornography isn't right, even in the form of a made-up character.

Some might say 'It's not an actual person. Therefore, I can't commit adultery with them in my heart so it's alright'.

But show the person this:
Proverbs 16:2
All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD

Their motive is to fulfill their sexual lusts. Therefore, they'll be judged as if they lusted in real life.

So swearing and porn are off-limits, but what about violence?

Now violence is what really confuses me. God judges motives sure, but the motive is not anger. It's to have fun and entertain one another.

So on these grounds, does this mean that violent video games are okay as longs they:

- Don't wound your or anothers conscience (i.e: offends them, teaches them bad habits, etc)
- Aren't with wrong motives (i.e: To exalt yourself above others, causing discomfort to others through griefing or trolling, etc)
- Don't spend too much time playing

This bears some similarity to 1 Corinthians 8, with believers eating meats sacrificed to idols.

Again, please don't take my opinion as absolute. Please try it against God's word.

 

[shipwrecksoul]

Hellooooo Fruity,
How does the Spirit of God fit into all of this?

 

[Fruity]

How do you mean exactly?

 

[shipwrecksoul]

When we go to far in any vice does not the Spirit tell us? If we exhibit attitudes contrary to the Spirit are we not warned? If we sin does not the Spirit inform us? If we neglect his path for us dont we know it when we grieve the Spirit?
Are we to walk in our own discernment or are we to walk in the discernment God shows us through the Spirit. Are we sensitive to his leading? Do we care? Or are we bent on self, to fulfill the desires of the flesh this world gives us?
There is nothing wrong in playing a game but there's everything wrong when we are obsessed by the games.

 

[Fruity]

When we go to far in any vice does not the Spirit tell us? If we exhibit attitudes contrary to the Spirit are we not warned? If we sin does not the Spirit inform us? If we neglect his path for us dont we know it when we grieve the Spirit?
Are we to walk in our own discernment or are we to walk in the discernment God shows us through the Spirit. Are we sensitive to his leading? Do we care? Or are we bent on self, to fulfill the desires of the flesh this world gives us?
There is nothing wrong in playing a game but there's everything wrong when we are obsessed by the games.

Yeah, you're right. I guess I'm just the type of person who becomes uneasy if they don't know some things. Thanks!

 

[Maureen]

I dont play or have ever played video games, when my kids were young it was Pac Man etc but I do know some of the games now are so full of bad stuff, I cant see what good it can do to fill our minds with this.

Galations 5 v 22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

These tell me what to be doing, speaking of the Spirit.
I know the Holy Spirit will convict us when we do something we shouldnt so we know not to do again, but surely there must be times when some could ignore that leading, especially if its something the person really likes doing, I speak of these violent video games or anything I guess that would take hold of us.
I just know I would not have them, but then I wasnt brought up in that 'era' I guess either.

I dont even watch TV much now, because of what is put on it, it's just fizzled out for me, but thats me.

 

[NavyWife]

Where to start?

I have heard once that when Christ rules your life, he rules your entertainment. That makes sense, that some movies you just wouldnt watch. Atleast in my case. The detestable things plaguing our homes is overwhelming to the point it makes me sick.
However, my husband loves video games. Harmless at first, but I think its far too easy to become addicted to "gaming"
There is nothing wrong with enjoying something in moderation. God gave us things on earth to enjoy! Be sure to keep your God given discernment when bringing things into our home, let alone your head.

 

[Nephesh]

I don’t think there is anything wrong with playing video games. I wouldnt call myself an hardcore gamer. I do have PS2 (will get a wii eventually) and play games occasional, play the sims 2 and will probably eventually get sims 3. I look forward to Mafia 2 coming out. Sometimes I play some online games currenly playing Wizard 101 and will probably check out Diablo 3. As long as someone does not let it rule their life its ok and of course relaizes its just a game.