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.​

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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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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