is playing videogames alot bad?

Likely there are much better things in life to do, don'tcha think?

Its only bad if it becomes your idol. Such as if your normal things you do as a christian (read your bible, bible studies, devotions, going to church) get passed up so you can play a game. Or if you focus is more on games then it is God. Granted even if its not your idle there are some games you should probably avoid. None are really any good for us to play but every has their own view and convictions about what is good or bad when it comes to gaming.

For me I don't play horror games since they tend to involve demonic forces. Instead I play things like Minecraft or Mass Effect.

Nope. It isn't a sin, if you have a reason to do it. I play a lot of video games because it is the way I stay out of trouble online. Some play lots of video games because they're actually MLG players. Some do it because that's how they hang with friends and build relationships with each other. But once you play video games just to play a video game, you are doing it to its glory, not God's.

Anything that isn't done in moderation is a sin.

If you're not spending any time reading, praying, or growing with God because you're busy playing a video game, yeah, it's sinful.

Even an excess of something normally okay for you is a sin, in my view, such as caffeine. If you've ever been through caffeine withdrawls like I have, you'd get where I'm coming from.

A good rule of thumb: If you're feeling hesitant or doubtful about what you're doing, chances are, you need to change something.

The phrase "a lot" is sooooo subjective, unless you get more specific, we really can't comment further.

justavisitor said:

Is playing video games alot bad?

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In general, it destroys Ones creativity toward other things when they are played ALOT . You get addicted to playing them, find some commaraderie with them, they tend to define who you are thru your achievements playing them, and they actually become somewhat of an Idol because theyve gotton so much of you.

God desires Us to branch out in our lives and find creativity because God is very creative himself ; he wants us to experience the nature he has given us as far as adventurism , seeking , discovering , experiencing new things in life , for, thats how we grow and thats how we find life intriguing and joyful. Its all a matter of balance . We have all been given certain talents, gifts, appetites, wiring...which we should explore and in so doing, we learn alot about ourselves and the world around us...and God himself.

If i were a Youth today, i would definetly join a Church Youth Group where they do many various things and where you can make friends easy . I would find balance in all i do with the things i enjoy and i would not allow any one thing in life to master me except the Creators rightful place in my life. Regards.

That really depends what you mean by "a lot". Obviously, doing too much of anything is not good for anything really. This can be said about many thing. Watching movies, exercising, and working. Are these things wrong? No, but doing too much of something isn't really good for you. However freakazoid is right. If becomes the most important thing in your life, then you have some changes you need to make in your life.

I use to play video games a whole lot but after giving them up for a time I have much clearer view of moderation. I would recommend you to try fasting from video games for a time. I recommend a week at best. Take a brake for a little while and see how you feel after that. Now if this is just a simple matter of being bored then this is a completly different situation.

Anyway, feel free to post back with more info.

Soverinth said:

Wait, so your telling me I can't play videogames just to play them for fun? That's the only reason I've done it for basically all of my life....

That's kind of depressing now. And actually I've been struggling with exactly this issue lately. I've been playing some games again, but I only play them cause its fun to me and I've always loved playing them. I did actually take quite a long break from them for a while, and that's because I was confused about the whole worldly concept.

Anyways I've been feeling bad because I have had long sessions of play for multiple days now. And I do feel I should stop, I just love this one game I'm playing so much. The only reason I play them as much as I do is because I can't really think of anything else to do. I try to read at least one chapter of the bible every day but after I do that I'm clueless of what to do, so I just play the game. I'm confused and kind of scared, I don't want this to turn into a bad thing. For all I know it could already be a bad thing.... (Don't mean to hijack your thread, sorry about that)

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Why dont you try taking a Fast from playing video games and concentrate on creative things to do that you like ? Also, spend more time in Gods Word since there is nothing higher or more important to your life than getting to know the Creator of the Universe who is your very Creator as well, better. Then you can prove to yourself that Video Game playing has mastered you into addiction. I do the same thing with watching TV on occasion.

It doesn't matter really.

People work "a lot" like 50-60 hours a week, is that bad?

Only you know OP because we don't know your life situation.

I played video games for a long time. Now, once in awhile a good game comes along with a great story and gameplay. But for the most part, so many games get boring for me now.

Example: I use to love playing Super Mario when I was a kid. Now I try to play them on DS or Wii and they get so boring so fast. I dont know what happened, I just lose interest in like an hour, when I use to be able to play them all day.

TheyCallMeDave said:

Why dont you try taking a Fast from playing video games and concentrate on creative things to do that you like ? Also, spend more time in Gods Word since there is nothing higher or more important to your life than getting to know the Creator of the Universe who is your very Creator as well, better. Then you can prove to yourself that Video Game playing has mastered you into addiction. I do the same thing with watching TV on occasion.

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Well yeah I'm stopping today, but I have a hard time finding something else to do.

With the bible, I only read a chapter a day because I have a hard time recalling what I read, since I've never been a reader. So constantly thinking about whats in one chapter than trying to remember multiple chapters is a lot easier for me. So yeah. I'm pretty down today, feel kinda dull....

Soverinth said:

Well yeah I'm stopping today, but I have a hard time finding something else to do.

With the bible, I only read a chapter a day because I have a hard time recalling what I read, since I've never been a reader. So constantly thinking about whats in one chapter than trying to remember multiple chapters is a lot easier for me. So yeah. I'm pretty down today, feel kinda dull....

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Well, its up to each one of us who call ourself a devouted lover and Follower of Christ, to use our life in service to him and others ; what ive found is , when i take the focus off of myself and MY entertainment and put GOD first in my life...that i feel good about myself, what i get done, and know that im pleasing God. So, why not sit down with your church Pastor or Youth Group Leader and ask what you can do in your life to make it more fulfilling and purposeful ? The answer is to refocus your life on God and serving him ..and in return youll be storing up treasure in heaven for you later.

The greatest tragedy is for a Christian to live a useless life . Satan loves that when it comes along. Find out what your spiritual gifts are then set about to use them in faithful service to God. If you are a depressive Person then get some medical help so you dont let Satan take your zeal away to serve God and others. In closing, dont waste your life. Only YOU can change the course of your life , but people can assist you in that endeavor. Make some first steps forward and meet with your Pastor asap for clear direction.

Also, dont allow yourself to fall into the same ol' mold ; find yourself a hobby or two or get with a christian Group who does things for the Lord in service .

TheyCallMeDave said:

Well, its up to each one of us who call ourself a devouted lover and Follower of Christ, to use our life in service to him and others ; what ive found is , when i take the focus off of myself and MY entertainment and put GOD first in my life...that i feel good about myself, what i get done, and know that im pleasing God. So, why not sit down with your church Pastor or Youth Group Leader and ask what you can do in your life to make it more fulfilling and purposeful ? The answer is to refocus your life on God and serving him ..and in return youll be storing up treasure in heaven for you later.

The greatest tragedy is for a Christian to live a useless life . Satan loves that when it comes along. Find out what your spiritual gifts are then set about to use them in faithful service to God. If you are a depressive Person then get some medical help so you dont let Satan take your zeal away to serve God and others. In closing, dont waste your life. Only YOU can change the course of your life , but people can assist you in that endeavor. Make some first steps forward and meet with your Pastor asap for clear direction.

Also, dont allow yourself to fall into the same ol' mold ; find yourself a hobby or two or get with a christian Group who does things for the Lord in service .

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Yes I know all of this, I've heard it many times. Im always thinking about it. It's easier said then done...

And I don't call myself a devouted follower because I know I'm not. I fail Him more than I probably should and I'm not trying to or proud of it. I pray and trust that this will get better and better over time

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Soverinth said:

Yes I know all of this, I've heard it many times. Im always thinking about it. It's easier said then done...

And I don't call myself a devouted follower because I know I'm not. I fail Him more than I probably should and I'm not trying to or proud of it. I pray and trust that this will get better and better over time

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I think making a FULL commitment to Christ is in order for you then. It means surrender and i know with Gods help that you can get there. I was once at a place where i didnt want to give up 'R' rated action movies and drinking beer to excess on weekends after i gave my life to Christ...but, God is patient with us and will help us IF we are wanting more of him. The turning point for me, was, for me to decrease while making him increase in my life -- and out of that came a greater focus on living for and serving God and Others. I decided to join a Hospice Organization to volunteer, to help out around my local church with different things, lined up activities to do for our adult singles in church, helped out at a soup kitchen for a long while, got into a mens group to grow , and a few other things as well. So long as you MAKE yourself available, there are all kinds of things to do for God and Others. Your Pastor can help you get plugged in as well as your Youth Pastor. So, get fired up for a change in your life cause im assuming you genuinly want that (?)

TheyCallMeDave said:

I think making a FULL commitment to Christ is in order for you then. It means surrender and i know with Gods help that you can get there. I was once at a place where i didnt want to give up 'R' rated action movies and drinking beer to excess on weekends after i gave my life to Christ...but, God is patient with us and will help us IF we are wanting more of him. The turning point for me, was, for me to decrease while making him increase in my life -- and out of that came a greater focus on living for and serving God and Others. I decided to join a Hospice Organization to volunteer, to help out around my local church with different things, lined up activities to do for our adult singles in church, helped out at a soup kitchen for a long while, got into a mens group to grow , and a few other things as well. So long as you MAKE yourself available, there are all kinds of things to do for God and Others. Your Pastor can help you get plugged in as well as your Youth Pastor. So, get fired up for a change in your life cause im assuming you genuinly want that (?)

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To be completely honest I don't know right now. My thoughts are constantly changing day by day. There are days when I like the idea of serving the Lord and doing things for others, like for a while there I did random chores around the house without my parents asking me and that doesn't happen often.

As for right now its one of those depressing days, I feel like crap I'm not liking the idea of doing anything.

It scares me when I get thoughts of not wanting to serve the Lord, because, I get these feelings like I'm gonna end up in hell cause I didn't do enough of this or that. To be honest, the only treasure I care about have in heaven right now is to just be with the Lord. Also I'm not comletely sure if I'm ready for change and sometimes I am. I want to change in something and sometimes I don't, I guess its human to be scares of change sometimes. I hate some of the thoughts I get, I really do.

My thoughts and mindset and emotional state are all so messed up right now. And don't worry its not a medical thing I'm just stressed with all this thinking I've been doing and I'm just confused, not sure what to do. If you had asked me that question on a day when I wanted to do things for others I would have answered it with no problem, but right now I just feel lazy and crappy and like a failure, its a bit sad really.

And I don't have a pastor that I go to regularly.

Soverinth said:

To be completely honest I don't know right now. My thoughts are constantly changing day by day. There are days when I like the idea of serving the Lord and doing things for others, like for a while there I did random chores around the house without my parents asking me and that doesn't happen often.

As for right now its one of those depressing days, I feel like crap I'm not liking the idea of doing anything.

It scares me when I get thoughts of not wanting to serve the Lord, because, I get these feelings like I'm gonna end up in hell cause I didn't do enough of this or that. To be honest, the only treasure I care about have in heaven right now is to just be with the Lord. Also I'm not comletely sure if I'm ready for change and sometimes I am. I want to change in something and sometimes I don't, I guess its human to be scares of change sometimes. I hate some of the thoughts I get, I really do.

My thoughts and mindset and emotional state are all so messed up right now. And don't worry its not a medical thing I'm just stressed with all this thinking I've been doing and I'm just confused, not sure what to do. If you had asked me that question on a day when I wanted to do things for others I would have answered it with no problem, but right now I just feel lazy and crappy and like a failure, its a bit sad really.

And I don't have a pastor that I go to regularly.

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Have you ever thought that perhaps this is a time of healing for you? A time of inner growth rather than outer growth? Rather than "doing things" for God, just rest in His Presence. Play some worship music and go crazy.

Girder of Loins said:

Have you ever thought that perhaps this is a time of healing for you? A time of inner growth rather than outer growth? Rather than "doing things" for God, just rest in His Presence. Play some worship music and go crazy.

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That is a possibility, and to be honest I don't know for sure. I've been confused for a while now I'm not sure where I stand with God, I don't know if I'm where I need to be, I don't know if somethings need to be different, all I know is I'm trusting in His power to work all things for good and that His timing is perfect and that this will get better.