Are Roleplaying Games Sinful?

[Gregory Thompson]

This does not resolve the problem you suggested before, though (Which is that we will always remain as children in this life, when that is not what the Scriptures teach).

I think some mischaracterization on your part and me not correcting you on my part is to blame for your perception. But see my above post.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I think some mischaracterization on your part and me not correcting you on my part is to blame for your perception. But see my above post.

I am trying to stay on topic of what you said before. But you seem to be by-passing it. That's okay. You don't have to address it. I am just telling you that the Bible does not teach that we will always remain as children in this life. As sons and daughters... yes. As children.... no.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Jesus saying to be converted here so it is talking about how for a person to get initially right with the Lord. We are to be humble like children when we come to the Lord and thus be converted. Yes, we are to remain humble in our Christian lives, but the Bible does not say we remain as children, but that we mature in our understanding in the things of God, and in our behavior.

So I Humble myself once and am greatest forever? Therefore, be proud for the rest .. such an RPG ... kidding.

I disagree with what is being said here, being child like is a distinctive principle of the kingdom of God. It is essential to not imitating the pattern of the world.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

I am trying to stay on topic of what you said before. But you seem to be by-passing it. That's okay. You don't have to address it. I am just telling you that the Bible does not teach that we will always remain as children in this life. As sons and daughters... yes. As children.... no.

That's a fair assessment, but we are to remain child like, because all other examples are way too worldly.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

So I Humble myself once and am greatest forever? Therefore, be proud for the rest .. such an RPG ... kidding.

I disagree with what is being said here, being child like is a distinctive principle of the kingdom of God. It is essential to not imitating the pattern of the world.

You have things backwards. It is the world that acts like children. God's people are to be mature and strong men and women of God. Why do you think the Bible says "man of God" and not "child of God" or "babe of God" in the following parts of Scripture?

"That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:17).

"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, " (1 Timothy 6:11-12).

 

[bèlla]

We cannot change something that is sinful. If something pushes sinful things, we as Christians should not have any desire of any kind to want to include ourselves in that sinful thing because it is contrary to the good ways of Jesus Christ.

I think you're sincere. But here's the thing. God called me to a den of sin. Debauchery and excess are its norms. If I talked like you my head would be bare. I wouldn't lead anyone to the Lord. Do you understand?

What it takes to win one is very different for another. God prepares the servant. He hews her and smooths the rough patches and allows her waywardness. He uses it for His glory. You could never minister to the people I'm called to.

There are many levels of calling and anointing. I think its errant to lump everyone in the same batch. If this has been laid on your heart pursue it. But I'm called to a place where you and I are almost nonexistent. Nothing they say or do would cause me to blink. God is good.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

You have things backwards. It is the world that acts like children. God's people are to be mature and strong men and women of God. Why do you think the Bible says "man of God" and not "child of God" or "babe of God" in the following parts of Scripture?

"That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." (2 Timothy 3:17).

"But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, " (1 Timothy 6:11-12).

My giftings make it hard for me to believe anyone is actually that mature, but in the child like state of thinking they are adults.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

My giftings make it hard for me to believe anyone is actually that mature, but in the child like state of thinking they are adults.

These passages do not say.... You who think as a man of God... do this... etc, etc.
No. It doesn't say that.

Oh, and what is impossible for man, nothing is impossible for God.
But we do not see maturity in men of God often or it is almost non-existent because we are living in the last days.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I think you're sincere. But here's the thing. God called me to a den of sin. Debauchery and excess are its norms. If I talked like you my head would be bare. I wouldn't lead anyone to the Lord. Do you understand?

What it takes to win one is very different for another. God prepares the servant. He hews her and smooths the rough patches and allows her waywardness. He uses it for His glory. You could never minister to the people I'm called to.

There are many levels of calling and anointing. I think its errant to lump everyone in the same batch. If this has been laid on your heart pursue it. But I'm called to a place where you and I are almost nonexistent. Nothing they say or do would cause me to blink. God is good.

God never calls us to be involved in sinful things. God may call us to reach people who are sinful, but we do not continually hang out with them like we would fellow believers who are seeking to follow Jesus Christ and live holy lives.

Remember, Jesus was calling sinners to repentance. He was the great physician who who was seeking to heal of their sinful condition.

As for suggesting that sin done by these people does not make you blink:

Well, the Bible says,

"Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good." (Romans 12:9).

Are you abhorring evil?

 

[bèlla]

God never calls us to be involved in sinful things. God may call us to reach people who are sinful, but we do not continually hang out with them like we would fellow believers who are seeking to follow Jesus Christ and live holy lives.

Sorry, I'm called to fashion. Your method will not work on the wealthy. You are welcome to believe otherwise but I've been dealing with them for years and worked in wealth management.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Sorry, I'm called to fashion. Your method will not work on the wealthy. You are welcome to believe otherwise but I've been dealing with them for years and worked in wealth management.

God ways are not our ways. Jesus was calling sinners to repentance. He was the great physician who who was seeking to heal of their sinful condition.

1 Timothy 6 pretty much condemns any idea of being rich in this life.
We are also not to concern ourselves about what we should wear, either. At least, that is what Jesus said anyways. While we all need to put food on the table, we should not think we are called to fashion because Jesus said do not seek after what we should wear, eat, etc. For all these things do the Gentiles seek after. We are to seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.

 

[bèlla]

God ways are not our ways. Jesus was calling sinners to repentance. He was the great physician who who was seeking to heal of their sinful condition.

1 Timothy 6 pretty much condemns any idea of being rich in this life.
We are also not to concern ourselves about what we should wear, either. At least, that is what Jesus said anyways.

You are welcome to believe what you wish. But the spirit of wisdom is not in this dialogue. God desires us to impact all echelons of society. Spirits of religion prohibit that. God bless.

 

[Andrew77]

I do. I don't believe a Christian should indulge in secular movie or TV watching, secular books, video games, and sports.

Right, and sports offer no real value to serving Jesus Christ. Sports only seek to satisfy one's vain desires of what the world loves. Fame, fortune, physical strength and cunning, etc. Jesus says we are to pick up our cross and deny ourselves. We are told by John to love not the things of this world.

If they post about their favorite guns, and or political news... then.... "yes."
If they seek to lead others to Christ on the forums and or they seek to teach other fellow believers and help inspire them to follow the Lord.... then... "no."

I don't think you understood what I said. If a person plays Dungeons and Dragons, they are sinning because they are playing in a world where magic is accepted and is okay. Yet, God told His people in the Old Testament to kill sorcerers.

Yes, by not partaking in worldly sinful things such as secular movies, secular books, games, etc. The life or road of a Christian is not an easy one; But it is worthwhile because of Jesus.

I've met people that follow the basic philosophy you have outlined here, and the result is, they have zero impact for Christ at all.

When you completely and totally isolate yourself in a cocoon of Christian-approved only culture... you make yourself utterly and completely irrelevant to the culture around you.

If you really think about it, if what you said was the ideal for a Christian, then the Amish should be the example to follow. Yet the Amish have zero impact on the culture around them. None whatsoever.

Ironically, my parents church, the church I grew up in, followed everything you have said here, to the letter. No movies, no TV, no nothing. And the result of that was the church died.

The founding members, and their families grew the church.... but when the younger generation had a choice on where to go for church, they all left, including myself.

Why? Because the church wasn't relevant. The church had no impact. The church was completely disconnected from the world around them. Yes, you can serve some food to the hungry, but when people show up and you have no idea who won the super bowl, or what the Lion King is about..... they leave the church, and they don't follow Christ.

This is exactly what happened at my parents church. Finally the head pastor retired, and a new pastor is there, that doesn't have this mentality, and now the church is growing again, after they lost 3/4 of their members.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

You are welcome to believe what you wish. But the spirit of wisdom is not in this dialogue. God desires us to impact all echelons of society. Spirits of religion prohibit that. God bless.

Perhaps a New Testament biblical example will give me some understanding on this issue.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

These passages do not say.... You who think as a man of God... do this... etc, etc.
No. It doesn't say that.

Oh, and what is impossible for man, nothing is impossible for God.
But we do not see maturity in men of God often or it is almost non-existent because we are living in the last days.

The only other objection I have about your understanding about maturity is that it sounds like we need to "level up"

Isn't being in intimate contact with God enough?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I've met people that follow the basic philosophy you have outlined here, and the result is, they have zero impact for Christ at all.

When you completely and totally isolate yourself in a cocoon of Christian-approved only culture... you make yourself utterly and completely irrelevant to the culture around you.

You are assuming that there is only one means to reach the lost and it is by joining in on the popular cultural things of the world to fit in with them so you can talk to them about Christ. But the Bible says,

"Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you" (1 Peter 4:4).

A Christian can reach the lost by forums, books, movies, comics, tracts, and by speaking on a street corner. There is no need to... "If you cannot beat em, then join them" kind of thinking taught in the Scriptures.

If you really think about it, if what you said was the ideal for a Christian, then the Amish should be the example to follow. Yet the Amish have zero impact on the culture around them. None whatsoever.

But most Amish do not feel the call of the great commission to go out into the world and to preach the gospel unto all nations.

Ironically, my parents church, the church I grew up in, followed everything you have said here, to the letter. No movies, no TV, no nothing. And the result of that was the church died.

The founding members, and their families grew the church.... but when the younger generation had a choice on where to go for church, they all left, including myself.

Because we are living in the last days. Nobody wants to follow the Lord and pick up their cross and deny themselves anymore. But as it was in the times of Noah, so shall it be at the coming of the Son of Man.

Why? Because the church wasn't relevant. The church had no impact. The church was completely disconnected from the world around them.

No. John says love not the world, and neither the things of the world. If any man love the world, the love of the father is not in them.

Yes, you can serve some food to the hungry, but when people show up and you have no idea who won the super bowl, or what the Lion King is about..... they leave the church, and they don't follow Christ.

Friend, if they stop following Christ, it is not because you did not entice them with the things of the world enough, it is because they do not want to follow the light and they want the things of this world instead. For what on Earth does 2 Timothy 4:10 even mean to you?

It says:

"For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world,..." (2 Timothy 4:10).

Yet, you are saying that we should show that we love this world by loving it's movies and sports so as to help people follow Christ. Sorry, that is not anywhere taught in the Bible.

This is exactly what happened at my parents church. Finally the head pastor retired, and a new pastor is there, that doesn't have this mentality, and now the church is growing again, after lost 3/4 of their members.

Jesus said narrow is the way that leads unto life and FEW be there that finds it. Just because you see growth in a church does not mean anything. There are many religions that have big amount of attendees. That does not mean that they are following the way, the truth, and the life (Who is Jesus Christ). Do you think Jesus would watch Lion King, or enjoy the superbowl? Think man.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The only other objection I have about your understanding about maturity is that it sounds like we need to "level up"

Isn't being in intimate contact with God enough?

Clever. I did not know what the term "level up" meant until you said it, and I Googled it.

Anyways, the Bible says that we can have an assurance in claiming to know God if we keep His commandments (See 1 John 2:3-4). Maturity is a natural process of obeying more of what the Lord wants us to do as a part of His many commands given to us in the New Covenant.

 

[Calvin_1985]

I would say no it isn't a sin in the broad sense. Of the people I know that play D&D, don't actually desire to be what they are playing as in the game. This would be a case by case thing based out of the persons heart. To just broadbrush something as sinful is legalism. It's like saying that all secular music is sinful while all music labeled Christian is gloryfying Father.

 

[Gregory Thompson]

Clever. I did not know what the term "level up" meant until you said it, and I Googled it.

Anyways, the Bible says that we can have an assurance in claiming to know God if we keep His commandments (See 1 John 2:3-4). Maturity is a natural process of obeying more of what the Lord wants us to do as a part of His many commands given to us in the New Covenant.

1Jo 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

The word for perfect also means mature.

I dunno about the keeping commandments bit, (i.e. under the law) but if I continue in Love, the inward cleaning makes the outside clean also.

Since the cultivation of love through maturity results in us being bold on the day of judgment, I'll focus on that. We mature through faith and trust in Jesus Christ. The righteous are not only born again by Faith, but live by faith. The trust of God is like breathing to the new creation.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I would say no it isn't a sin in the broad sense. Of the people I know that play D&D, don't actually desire to be what they are playing as in the game. This would be a case by case thing based out of the persons heart. To just broadbrush something as sinful is legalism. It's like saying that all secular music is sinful while all music labeled Christian is gloryfying Father.

Well, before I accepted Christ, I used to play role playing games a lot when I was younger and I am pretty sure I can account that my friends and I had sinned in our minds (Which is still considered a bad sin to God to condemn you). For Jesus says that looking upon a woman in lust (Which is something done only in the mind) is the equivalent of the act of adultery and they are in danger of hell fire. Also, while it is possible somebody may just like Classical music, such people would be extremely rare today. Most people like music where people sing some kind of lyrics; And most of these singers propose sinful ways of living in their music or secular or worldly ways of thinking that is contrary to God. So no. It is not legalism. Legalism is a term generally thrown around when a person thinks that they do not have to obey God so as to be right with the Lord. Yes, salvation is not about keeping Law Alone, for we are initially and ultimately saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ, but His grace is not a license for sin or immorality, either. We do also have to obey as a part of the faith, too (See James 2:18).