For those who are gamers, how do you handle Christian Ethics vs gaming?

[Zceptre]

So when you run across instances like this, what do you do? I'm not required to engage with it. Like, there isn't quests or anything but how do you handle video games and following Christian ethical standards?

I've dealt with this situation before with a game that involved witchcraft in the actual dynamics of the game, meaning required, twice. God spoke to my heart and asked me how much I loved Him. I said done and trashed them, even being very heavily invested in with extremely competitive stance in one.

With that said, my opinion is that you said it yourself there, "I'm not required to engage with it." 1 Corinthians 10:23 says all things are permissible but not all things are beneficial, or helpful. We are also called to be in the world, but not of the world in John 17:15 and John 17:16. Lastly, Christ said we are the light of the world, and that we are not meant to be hidden away but like a city on a hill in Matthew 5:14.

Daniel lived in Babylon and was immersed in a world full of witchcraft, but he rejected particular things that he felt dishonored God like eating food offered to idols. I think the entire world is Babylon in that specific sense and we are in that situation now and so long as it is not violating your conscience, I think you are good to go (you are obviously tuned in with God that there are no-go zones from the way you speak). (Romans 14:23)

I have used a few games as platforms to spread the gospel, even posting Scripture on my profile. I say simply have a little talk with God about the games and pray about them, and during that conversation, like He has with me, I think He will guide you into what is acceptable and unacceptable. Some people will tell you it is black and white, but I don't think this is the case. We are children, Sons and Daughters in Christ, and in that we are meant to be more than robots. God made you and I don't think He wants all of us conformed to a cookie cutter shape even being conformed into the image of Christ. The image of Christ, the image of God is love (1 Timothy 1:5 - 1 John 4:7 - 1 John 4:8). We can all look like Christ in His love to others without being robots or cookie cutouts.

Just my two cents on the matter in the pot, but I've had experience in this and found that God showed me what was not ok, and what He not only didn't mind but helped me in winning the games (and yes I actually believe that, call me crazy but He helps me with everything, I wouldn't be ok if He didn't).

Do everything to the glory of God, even if it is playing a game (1 Corinthians 10:31). Love God, love people, be yourself.

 

[CoreyD]

I really enjoyed this conversation.
It was really refreshing to see that there are persons who actually give careful consideration to the content they view and play, and how their love for these affect their relationship with our loving heavenly father, who hates the things pf Satan.
How wonderful that we can use our God given freedom to choose to do what's right in God's eyes, even giving up things that we find pleasure in!
Good job, guys and gals.

I was very much into playing video games, even before becoming a dedicated Christian, but when I became more committed to God's service, I gave up most games I played, including strategy games which I really enjoyed, and I would search out puzzle games which removed unwholesome elements.
However, sometimes I found myself so immersed in beating a game, that I spent hours playing, only to feel stupid after playing for six or seven hours straight.

Over time, I came to realize playing games can be real time wasters, because after you beat the game, you want something else to play, and that cycle just keeps repeating itself.
It was then, I decided to try making games... not to waste people's time, but games they can get something more out of it, along with the fun.

I tried my hand at educational games, and you know what I discovered? I discovered that making games is actually just as much, if not more fun than playing games.
It felt rewarding too, as you know that someone would benefit from it... adding something to their brain.

Have any of you considered getting into game making as a hobby, or even a job?
Making a Video Game

I wanted to respond to this, also.

Delvianna said:​

I hope I'm posting in the right spot, if I'm not, my apologies and please move it to where it needs to be.​

​

I want to talk about video games, table top games, etc and look at it from a place of Christian moral ethics. To give an example, I play the game Medieval Dynasty, which is mostly just building a city and managing it with all the resources. But due to it being close to Halloween, they've updated it to give the main towns halloween decorations. This isn't standard decorations... This looks purely pagan witchcraft to me.​

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View attachment 371968​

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So when you run across instances like this, what do you do? I'm not required to engage with it. Like, there isn't quests or anything but how do you handle video games and following Christian ethical standards? (This is just an example as I mean this discussion to be more broad than just the example I'm showing).​

Have you noticed how the word Magic is in almost everything... even in the household products we buy?
Does your conscience bother you when you see an advertisement on a product you use, saying for example, "It removes stains like magic"?
It does not bother my conscience, but if someone else's conscience bothers them, I would respect that person's view on the matter.

If I brought the product, I would not throw it away, since I am not condoning the practice of magic (it's not magic in any way). nor getting involved with it, by buying and using the product.
However, if the person with a sensitive conscience came over to my house, I would put it out of their sight, since I would not want to stumble them.
1 Corinthians 8:7-13

 

[Delvianna]

I really enjoyed this conversation.
It was really refreshing to see that there are persons who actually give careful consideration to the content they view and play, and how their love for these affect their relationship with our loving heavenly father, who hates the things pf Satan.
How wonderful that we can use our God given freedom to choose to do what's right in God's eyes, even giving up things that we find pleasure in!
Good job, guys and gals.

I was very much into playing video games, even before becoming a dedicated Christian, but when I became more committed to God's service, I gave up most games I played, including strategy games which I really enjoyed, and I would search out puzzle games which removed unwholesome elements.
However, sometimes I found myself so immersed in beating a game, that I spent hours playing, only to feel stupid after playing for six or seven hours straight.

Over time, I came to realize playing games can be real time wasters, because after you beat the game, you want something else to play, and that cycle just keeps repeating itself.
It was then, I decided to try making games... not to waste people's time, but games they can get something more out of it, along with the fun.

I tried my hand at educational games, and you know what I discovered? I discovered that making games is actually just as much, if not more fun than playing games.
It felt rewarding too, as you know that someone would benefit from it... adding something to their brain.

Have any of you considered getting into game making as a hobby, or even a job?
Making a Video Game

I wanted to respond to this, also.

Delvianna said:​

I hope I'm posting in the right spot, if I'm not, my apologies and please move it to where it needs to be.​

​

I want to talk about video games, table top games, etc and look at it from a place of Christian moral ethics. To give an example, I play the game Medieval Dynasty, which is mostly just building a city and managing it with all the resources. But due to it being close to Halloween, they've updated it to give the main towns halloween decorations. This isn't standard decorations... This looks purely pagan witchcraft to me.​

​

View attachment 371968​

​

So when you run across instances like this, what do you do? I'm not required to engage with it. Like, there isn't quests or anything but how do you handle video games and following Christian ethical standards? (This is just an example as I mean this discussion to be more broad than just the example I'm showing).​

Have you noticed how the word Magic is in almost everything... even in the household products we buy?
Does your conscience bother you when you see an advertisement on a product you use, saying for example, "It removes stains like magic"?
It does not bother my conscience, but if someone else's conscience bothers them, I would respect that person's view on the matter.

If I brought the product, I would not throw it away, since I am not condoning the practice of magic (it's not magic in any way). nor getting involved with it, by buying and using the product.
However, if the person with a sensitive conscience came over to my house, I would put it out of their sight, since I would not want to stumble them.
1 Corinthians 8:7-13

Great post, thank you for this! I wanted to answer your two questions as your last is very thought provoking. So the first, I personally don't have any desire to create games. I'm sure for those that do, it will be very rewarding! I have some creative hobbies on the side that I do (like writing) but game creation personally, just doesn't intrigue me.

For your thought provoking question, I think it depends. If it was an advertisement, I can let go of their use of the word "magic" because I think the term is broad. To the modern world, if God was going to create a miracle, they would call that "magic" too. So I would say I don't necessarily think the term always equals something negative or wrong, but it depends on the context behind it. But I will say though that if someone disagreed with me and felt uncomfortable around the word, like you, if they came to my house, I would remove it for their sake.

 

[CoreyD]

Great post, thank you for this! I wanted to answer your two questions as your last is very thought provoking. So the first, I personally don't have any desire to create games. I'm sure for those that do, it will be very rewarding! I have some creative hobbies on the side that I do (like writing) but game creation personally, just doesn't intrigue me.

For your thought provoking question, I think it depends. If it was an advertisement, I can let go of their use of the word "magic" because I think the term is broad. To the modern world, if God was going to create a miracle, they would call that "magic" too. So I would say I don't necessarily think the term always equals something negative or wrong, but it depends on the context behind it. But I will say though that if someone disagreed with me and felt uncomfortable around the word, like you, if they came to my house, I would remove it for their sake.

There is a program I used... imagemagick, which I had no problem using, until I found out it may be a security risk.
On the other hand, I have a problem with movies and games containing magic, and I find that most, if not all RPG games tend to have some form of magic.
I even have a problem watching Walt Disney film. There always seem to contain some element of magic.

 

[Delvianna]

There is a program I used... imagemagick, which I had no problem using, until I found out it may be a security risk.
On the other hand, I have a problem with movies and games containing magic, and I find that most, if not all RPG games tend to have some form of magic.
I even have a problem watching Walt Disney film. There always seem to contain some element of magic.

I look at it as, where is the "magic" coming from? Because biblically, people are able to heal the blind, raise the dead, call down fire from heaven, make an iron axe head float... So we can't say thats bad or evil since the power was coming from God. I'm sure you wouldn't feel wrong playing an RPG that had you going around healing people for God, right? But obviously if you were running around healing people and the RPG clearly stated you gained your power from a god named Metisathes, then that would be an absolute no. So thats why I say for me it depends on context and not necessarily just the word.

 

[jonojim1337]

I think it’s important to store your treasures in heaven, and not in video games. That being said, I do occasionally play a little video games, and it’s nothing I’m particularly proud of. He must increase and I must decrease, and whatever is in store for me, I guess I’ll find that out eventually.

 

[CoreyD]

I look at it as, where is the "magic" coming from? Because biblically, people are able to heal the blind, raise the dead, call down fire from heaven, make an iron axe head float... So we can't say thats bad or evil since the power was coming from God. I'm sure you wouldn't feel wrong playing an RPG that had you going around healing people for God, right? But obviously if you were running around healing people and the RPG clearly stated you gained your power from a god named Metisathes, then that would be an absolute no. So thats why I say for me it depends on context and not necessarily just the word.

I understand how you are seeing it, but when God says, "You must not anan." That is, cloud over, giving rise to the idea of veiling or obscuring (figuratively) to act covertly, i.e. practice magic, there is a clear distinction between magic and miracles.
So while I have heard persons argue that they are both the same, the Bible does not equate the two.
Otherwise, people could not perform miracles, and Jesus would be a magic practicing rabbi... which would make him an enemy of God.

However, Jesus did not practice magic, but used the power of God, which his disciples were given access to.
At Deuteronomy 18:10-14, God says, "There shall not be found among you anyone who ... anan (figuratively) acts covertly, i.e. practices magic... for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, anan (figuratively) acted covertly, i.e. practiced magic.. But as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do this.

So while God allowed his servants to perform miracles, he does not allow them to practice magic - something distinct and different from miracles.
Magic is never a miracle. It is a hidden - covered over - practice, that involves some sort of deception.
Is that not true?

 

[CoreyD]

I think it’s important to store your treasures in heaven, and not in video games. That being said, I do occasionally play a little video games, and it’s nothing I’m particularly proud of. He must increase and I must decrease, and whatever is in store for me, I guess I’ll find that out eventually.

Nothing is wrong with relaxation and recreation, so long as it's wholesome.
Playing video games can be fun and relaxing... much better than watching TV.
In both cases, it is the content that matters. Something is only sinful, when it violates God's righteous standards.

For example, using a computer is not a sin, but if we use a computer to be entertained with violent or immoral content, or even spread violent or immoral content, we are sinning against God.
Isn't that so?

 

[jonojim1337]

Nothing is wrong with relaxation and recreation, so long as it's wholesome.
Playing video games can be fun and relaxing... much better than watching TV.
In both cases, it is the content that matters. Something is only sinful, when it violates God's righteous standards.

For example, using a computer is not a sin, but if we use a computer to be entertained with violent or immoral content, or even spread violent or immoral content, we are sinning against God.
Isn't that so?

God is a man of war so…

I like war games.

That being said, it’s important not to make anything into an idol. We don’t want to profane the Sabbath now do we.

That being said, I’m not here to judge anyone who does play video games.

That being said, maybe I would like to spend my time on a more edifying activity than that.

Thus, I think it’s optimal to always be ready, like a good steward, who doesn’t know when the master of the house is coming.

 

[Delvianna]

I understand how you are seeing it, but when God says, "You must not anan." That is, cloud over, giving rise to the idea of veiling or obscuring (figuratively) to act covertly, i.e. practice magic, there is a clear distinction between magic and miracles.
So while I have heard persons argue that they are both the same, the Bible does not equate the two.
Otherwise, people could not perform miracles, and Jesus would be a magic practicing rabbi... which would make him an enemy of God.

However, Jesus did not practice magic, but used the power of God, which his disciples were given access to.
At Deuteronomy 18:10-14, God says, "There shall not be found among you anyone who ... anan (figuratively) acts covertly, i.e. practices magic... for these nations, which you are about to dispossess, anan (figuratively) acted covertly, i.e. practiced magic.. But as for you, the LORD your God has not allowed you to do this.

So while God allowed his servants to perform miracles, he does not allow them to practice magic - something distinct and different from miracles.
Magic is never a miracle. It is a hidden - covered over - practice, that involves some sort of deception.
Is that not true?

I'm linking this to modern day use of the word "magic". I understand the biblical connotations, but the world doesn't. To subscribe a video game developers use of the word "magic" is essentially assuming they're using the biblical context of "magic" when I highly doubt they are and why I don't think you have to strictly adhere to the biblical concept when someone uses it. People in general will call God's power "magic" instead of power or any other word choice. You can call satans magic "power" too. So I think being afraid of the word instead of applying context, is being a bit too linear.

But like I said, if someone disagrees with me and hates the word entirely, then that is completely fine.

 

[CoreyD]

God is a man of war so…

God is not a man.
Ares was the Greek god of war, and the Areopagus was probably named after it.
There were other gods of war, but I have never come across the term God of war referring to the true God.
God does fight righteous wars, but can any man made war be considered righteous, or are innocent people destroyed through these?

I like war games.

I like strategy games, but I found it hard to find any that didn't involve killing alien, or other life forms.
Why do you like war games.

That being said, it’s important not to make anything into an idol. We don’t want to profane the Sabbath now do we.

That being said, I’m not here to judge anyone who does play video games.

We aren't judges, but the topic "For those who are gamers, how do you handle Christian Ethics vs gaming?" calls for stating particularly how we view Christian ethics in relation to games.
This would involve getting God's view on the matter, I believe.
Would it not?

That being said, maybe I would like to spend my time on a more edifying activity than that.

That's a good choice, in my opinion.
I find most video games today have little purpose, if they do have any, and they aren't very creative,,, just the same thing over and over.
Games in the past had more creativity, in my opinion.

Thus, I think it’s optimal to always be ready, like a good steward, who doesn’t know when the master of the house is coming.

I agree.
Paul put it this way...
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15, 16

That's good advice.

 

[jonojim1337]

I’m surprised you’re not aware of Exodus 15:3.

 

[CoreyD]

I'm linking this to modern day use of the word "magic". I understand the biblical connotations, but the world doesn't. To subscribe a video game developers use of the word "magic" is essentially assuming they're using the biblical context of "magic" when I highly doubt they are and why I don't think you have to strictly adhere to the biblical concept when someone uses it. People in general will call God's power "magic" instead of power or any other word choice. You can call satans magic "power" too. So I think being afraid of the word instead of applying context, is being a bit too linear.

But like I said, if someone disagrees with me and hates the word entirely, then that is completely fine.

It's good to educate people on what they don't know.
Sadly churches have followed a trend which Jesus would not follow.
His followers do well to follow Jesus' example, if people are to distinguish between right and wrong

 

[CoreyD]

I’m surprised you’re not aware of Exodus 15:3.

That scripture didn't elude me. I did say God fights righteous war, but that doesn't make him a God of war.
He is called a God of peace Philippians 4:9. He engages in war in order to bring peace. Armageddon is the war to bring peace on earth, and there is a final war after the 1,000 year reign of Christ.

 

[jonojim1337]

That scripture didn't elude me. I did say God fights righteous war, but that doesn't make him a God of war.
He is called a God of peace Philippians 4:9. He engages in war in order to bring peace. Armageddon is the war to bring peace on earth, and there is a final war after the 1,000 year reign of Christ.

He judges and makes war