Is everything a sin?

RC1138Delta38 said:

The way this guy felt is how I feel.

Is Everything a sin or what? | Christian Forums

I'm wondering if I can keep my hobbies. Such as writing and video games. I am a born again Christian but everyone says, don't do things out of selfishness and do what is pleasing to God, I'm not allowed to have self-will? I can't enjoy my video games or writing? It's basically monk life? I don't want to look out for myself but I do want some hobbies and passions in my free time. But they need to be pleasing to God? Why even create me if I am just going to be a clone that desires EXACTLY EVERYTHING of God?

With the world we live in I agree most entertainment is junk but there are two types of entertainment I enjoy for elements but the details can be nitty and gritty.

Let me be open, Undertale, a game that has some Christian elements but overall has magic (yes I like the magic but for fantasy sense) and what I will say is worse, it promotes homosexuality. This is the element I don't like.

Then there is Team Fortress 2, what I love about it is, it's a game that is a first-person shooter and revolves around team work. It has many interesting game style mechanics. I don't feel convicted by a mild violent video game because have any of us read the Old Testament? But personally, I have a distaste to profanity and some of its insults to the opponent.

I want to obey but I want some liberty. I feel as if it's just read the bible, pray all the time, fast (something I hate because I can't stand the feeling of starvation.) I want to enjoy my life and not extra possible legalisitic doctrines from very far right and fearful pastors. I cannot stand all the stuff I read and it's putting a stumbling block in my way.

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Beloved one, let us consider what is a hobby ?an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure. I consider nothing wrong to do activity in one’s leisure time for godly pleasure, but to do activity for ungodly pleasure, I consider that to be wrong.

Yes, you mentioned such as writing and video games. There are many godly writings and godly video games. I see nothing wrong with that.

The guy said that,”I am a born again Christian but everyone says, don't do things out of selfishness and do what is pleasing to God, I'm not allowed to have self-will?”

As a born again Christian, there is nothing wrong about,”don't do things out of selfishness and do what is pleasing to God.”

Beloved one, let us consider what we have heard:

“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.”
‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭5:14-16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Beloved one, let us consider what our Lord has done for us, that He died for us, that we who live should live no longer for ourselves,
but for Him who died for us and rose again. Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer.

For we also heard :
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

To God the Father be thanksgiving through Christ. Amen

For me, I love playing video and board games, puzzles, etc. When it comes to violence, blood, gore, I’m instantly turned off. So many games are like that! My favorite two games are animal crossing and forza 4/5. (And of course Mario games)
I suffer from fibromyalgia, so my down time is more than the average person. I probably spend a little more time playing than I should but it’s hard for me to just sit and relax. I have to read, craft or do something. I have limited energy when it comes to cleaning, grocery shopping, etc.
I do feel guilty sometimes, but I also have to remember I’m not 100% healthy. I can’t work a full time or even part time job. I can’t even get out and rake the back yard. This problem in itself is hard sometimes to accept.
But anyway, I see nothing wrong with playing games..just don’t let them run your life. (Live to play) Games are also a way to connect with people, and have some good old quality time with family.

RC1138Delta38 said:

The way this guy felt is how I feel.

Is Everything a sin or what? | Christian Forums

I'm wondering if I can keep my hobbies. Such as writing and video games. I am a born again Christian but everyone says, don't do things out of selfishness and do what is pleasing to God, I'm not allowed to have self-will? I can't enjoy my video games or writing? It's basically monk life? I don't want to look out for myself but I do want some hobbies and passions in my free time. But they need to be pleasing to God? Why even create me if I am just going to be a clone that desires EXACTLY EVERYTHING of God?

With the world we live in I agree most entertainment is junk but there are two types of entertainment I enjoy for elements but the details can be nitty and gritty.

Let me be open, Undertale, a game that has some Christian elements but overall has magic (yes I like the magic but for fantasy sense) and what I will say is worse, it promotes homosexuality. This is the element I don't like.

Then there is Team Fortress 2, what I love about it is, it's a game that is a first-person shooter and revolves around team work. It has many interesting game style mechanics. I don't feel convicted by a mild violent video game because have any of us read the Old Testament? But personally, I have a distaste to profanity and some of its insults to the opponent.

I want to obey but I want some liberty. I feel as if it's just read the bible, pray all the time, fast (something I hate because I can't stand the feeling of starvation.) I want to enjoy my life and not extra possible legalisitic doctrines from very far right and fearful pastors. I cannot stand all the stuff I read and it's putting a stumbling block in my way.

Click to expand...

The problem you've raised has a simple answer, and you already know what that answer is.

Look at your statements that I've bolded. You are convicted...that's what conviction is. That's the result of your mind beginning to be transformed to the mind of Christ.

In the absolute view of Christ, this is an essential truth:

For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. -- Romans 14

If you can't in good conscience pray to God for opportunity and success in that particular act...it's probably a sin for you.

It may not be a sin for everyone--we all have different levels of spiritual strength. But if it's bothering you, it's a sin for you, because what bothers your conscience is not proceeding from faith.

When it comes to the affairs of this world, it's helpful to apply the Philippian Prescription:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. -- Philippians 4:8

Going along with that, Paul provides a couple of other tests: Is it beneficial? Does it edify? That is, will it make you a better person?

Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is edifying.-- 1 Corinthians 10

By saying "everything is permissible," Paul is setting aside the written code as the guide to every action and raising the bar. It's not a matter of studying the bible's "dead letters" to determine "is this a sin?" and "is that a sin?" the way the Pharisees did to the nth degree.

Paul raises the bar. Can you say that it's a good use of the Master's resources (which include your own time)?

Not everything in this world is sin but it sure seems that way. Everywhere we go there's sex, gore, violence, bad talk, alcohol and all that jazz. But not everything is sin. Honestly? It's impossible without God to know every sin out there. The Holy Spirit is our helper and usually let's us know what we need to be doing and not doing with our lives. If you're not being convicted by the Holy Spirit than odds are what you're doing is not sin.

RC1138Delta38 said:

Is Everything a sin or what?

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No but as a sinner, everything you think or do is touched by your sinfulness....

Is it possible for any animal surviving on instinct to rise above the ways of the world by themselves?

RC1138Delta38 said:

The way this guy felt is how I feel.

Is Everything a sin or what? | Christian Forums

I'm wondering if I can keep my hobbies. Such as writing and video games. I am a born again Christian but everyone says, don't do things out of selfishness and do what is pleasing to God, I'm not allowed to have self-will? I can't enjoy my video games or writing? It's basically monk life? I don't want to look out for myself but I do want some hobbies and passions in my free time. But they need to be pleasing to God? Why even create me if I am just going to be a clone that desires EXACTLY EVERYTHING of God?

With the world we live in I agree most entertainment is junk but there are two types of entertainment I enjoy for elements but the details can be nitty and gritty.

Let me be open, Undertale, a game that has some Christian elements but overall has magic (yes I like the magic but for fantasy sense) and what I will say is worse, it promotes homosexuality. This is the element I don't like.

Then there is Team Fortress 2, what I love about it is, it's a game that is a first-person shooter and revolves around team work. It has many interesting game style mechanics. I don't feel convicted by a mild violent video game because have any of us read the Old Testament? But personally, I have a distaste to profanity and some of its insults to the opponent.

I want to obey but I want some liberty. I feel as if it's just read the bible, pray all the time, fast (something I hate because I can't stand the feeling of starvation.) I want to enjoy my life and not extra possible legalisitic doctrines from very far right and fearful pastors. I cannot stand all the stuff I read and it's putting a stumbling block in my way.

Click to expand...

I think it is fine to play computer games as a Christian (I do, and I still minister to others). There is a verse in the bible that God showed me on this issue.

Ecc 7:16-17 Be not overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise, why should you destroy yourself. But be not overly wicked, neither foolish, why should you die before your time.

The verse above applies to things like computer games, they contain a few things that would be considered "unrighteous", but as a game player to give up would make you feel deprived. This verse is all about that feeling of deprivation. It to us says, don't be so overly righteous that you can not enjoy yourself with things that are grey areas.

When the apostles wrestled with the question of what was permitted by Christain's they forbade idol worship, and sexual immorality. So the above scripture can not be used as a reason for sexual immorality, but when it comes to entertainment there is some flexibility.

I try to manage what I play, if a game has sexuality, or homosexuality, I avoid it. I did for a time not play any game with magic, and I still don't play many, but recently I bought a game with magical elements called Hammerting, a middle earth type game. One of my previous pastors enjoyed reading Lord of the Rings, a book with much magic, it did not effect him, I say this to say games with magic are not going to kill your Christain life.

Just be careful not to get so caught up in gaming that your spiritual connection to God suffers. Jesus said, "Pray that you enter not into temptation for the Spirit is willing but the flesh weak". This shows us that prayer is vital for avoiding sin, and remaining Spiritually vibrant.

RC1138Delta38 said:

The way this guy felt is how I feel.

Is Everything a sin or what? | Christian Forums

I'm wondering if I can keep my hobbies. Such as writing and video games. I am a born again Christian but everyone says, don't do things out of selfishness and do what is pleasing to God, I'm not allowed to have self-will? I can't enjoy my video games or writing? It's basically monk life? I don't want to look out for myself but I do want some hobbies and passions in my free time. But they need to be pleasing to God? Why even create me if I am just going to be a clone that desires EXACTLY EVERYTHING of God?

With the world we live in I agree most entertainment is junk but there are two types of entertainment I enjoy for elements but the details can be nitty and gritty.

Let me be open, Undertale, a game that has some Christian elements but overall has magic (yes I like the magic but for fantasy sense) and what I will say is worse, it promotes homosexuality. This is the element I don't like.

Then there is Team Fortress 2, what I love about it is, it's a game that is a first-person shooter and revolves around team work. It has many interesting game style mechanics. I don't feel convicted by a mild violent video game because have any of us read the Old Testament? But personally, I have a distaste to profanity and some of its insults to the opponent.

I want to obey but I want some liberty. I feel as if it's just read the bible, pray all the time, fast (something I hate because I can't stand the feeling of starvation.) I want to enjoy my life and not extra possible legalisitic doctrines from very far right and fearful pastors. I cannot stand all the stuff I read and it's putting a stumbling block in my way.

Click to expand...

Ask God to lead you to more godly ways to find recreation.

You are God's child ... so, you are not a clone of His, ... but He does have expectations. But you are different from every one of God's other children (and He knows that) ... so your expectation, is to be the best YOU you can be.

When we come to points where our will and His will don't match, ... we will ultimately find that His way is more edifying and satisfying. The question is ... how long will it take for us to learn that this is true ...

FutureAndAHope said:

I think it is fine to play computer games as a Christian (I do, and I still minister to others). There is a verse in the bible that God showed me on this issue.

Ecc 7:16-17 Be not overly righteous, neither make yourself overly wise, why should you destroy yourself. But be not overly wicked, neither foolish, why should you die before your time.

The verse above applies to things like computer games, they contain a few things that would be considered "unrighteous", but as a game player to give up would make you feel deprived. This verse is all about that feeling of deprivation. It to us don't be so overly righteous that you can not enjoy yourself with things that are grey areas.

When the apostles wrestled with the question of what was permitted by Christain's they forbade idol worship, and sexual immorality. So the above scripture can not be used as a reason for sexual immorality, but when it comes to entertainment there is some flexibility.

I try to manage what I play, if a game has sexuality, or homosexuality, I avoid it. I did for a time not play any game with magic, and I still don't play many, but recently I bought a game with magical elements called Hammerting, a middle earth type game. One of my previous pastors enjoyed reading Lord of the Rings, a book with much magic, it did not effect him, I say this to say games with magic are not going to kill your Christain life.

Just be careful not to get so caught up in gaming that your spiritual connection to God suffers. Jesus said, "Pray that you enter not into temptation for the Spirit is willing but the flesh weak". This shows us that prayer is vital for avoiding sin, and remaining Spiritually vibrant.

Click to expand...

I would point out that in Lord of the Rings, magic is presented as something questionable-to-bad in its effects and applications...and definitely not a solution to the problems of humans.

Always keep growing closer to God, that is what is required, I often have a Bible study or Christian music playing while I play a game...just keep growing in Your closeness to how you know God and worship Him.