Is it a sin to play video games?

[Ash Crimson]

You're only sinning if you play video games that cause you to sin in your mind, IE, the content of the games you play.

If you're playing family oriented games, that have no sex, swearing, etc, in them, then you're not sinning.

You ARE sinning however, if you play games that DO include those things, OR if you put those good games (the friendly family games) above God, making them an idol above God.

Even too much of a good thing is bad. Have you studied the word today? Have you spent time in prayer with God? If not, why are playing games? If you have, I truly do not believe playing certain games is a sin.

If something is not sinful, and you've given time to God first, why would you be sinning? It's the same with ANY hobby.

Also, the Bible is very clear about you not losing salvation. Christ sacrifice for us saved us from all sins. Read romans 8:38. Nothing separates us from Christs love, not even sin. Sin is the reason He died for us in the first place.

Think about it this way:

If we could lose our salvation, that would imply that EVERY time we sinned, we were lost. Because all sin is the same to God. So every time we sin, we lose our salvation.

And every time we lose our salvation, we must be saved again. And if we lost our salvation, and we were saved again, we'd have to be baptized again. Every single time.

Does that sound like perpetual love to you? No, that's absurd. That's just my opinion, but that is just ridiculous. Christ died for all sins. Past, present, and future. You cannot escape His love. Not once you have it.

True, but we wouldn't want to do anything that would offend God or whatever, would we?

I don't think every game I own is exactly "family friendly". I wouldn't want my little kids playing every game I own. Then again, I wouldn't let them watch the Passion either.

 

[ChrisHolland619]

True, but we wouldn't want to do anything that would offend God or whatever, would we?

I don't think every game I own is exactly "family friendly". I wouldn't want my little kids playing every game I own. Then again, I wouldn't let them watch the Passion either.

The only way to "offend" God is to sin against His law. That's the way I see it, anyway.

 

[powerpoint]

If you think listening to profane music isn't interfering with your walk with God, you are letting Satan twist your reasoning.

Wow, I feel reassured that you know the innermost workings of my spirituality and theology, as well as the machinations of the other guy and the state of my relationship with God.

See, this kind of legalistic BS is exactly what puts people off Christianity. Just because you see it as wrong, and it may be wrong for you, doesn't mean its wrong for everyone else. Otherwise what you're doing is exactly what James spoke against, putting unreasonable rules onto people.

As an idividual I know what is good/bad for their relationship with God, because I have faith that God will show me whats right, not a series of people who are just as worldly as the rest of us,

 

[ChrisHolland619]

Wow, I feel reassured that you know the innermost workings of my spirituality and theology, as well as the machinations of the other guy and the state of my relationship with God.

See, this kind of legalistic BS is exactly what puts people off Christianity. Just because you see it as wrong, and it may be wrong for you, doesn't mean its wrong for everyone else. Otherwise what you're doing is exactly what James spoke against, putting unreasonable rules onto people.

As an idividual I know what is good/bad for their relationship with God, because I have faith that God will show me whats right, not a series of people who are just as worldly as the rest of us,

That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

Please give me scriptural references where it states you can listen to profane music and fill your life/mind/heart with profanity and it be ok and not a sin.

Because I have at least 6 verses right here that proves the exact opposite.

How can it be a sin for one person, and not be a sin for someone else LOL. What a joke, no offense. But you're just completely wrong.

 

[SonOfTheWest]

Wow, I feel reassured that you know the innermost workings of my spirituality and theology, as well as the machinations of the other guy and the state of my relationship with God.

See, this kind of legalistic BS is exactly what puts people off Christianity. Just because you see it as wrong, and it may be wrong for you, doesn't mean its wrong for everyone else. Otherwise what you're doing is exactly what James spoke against, putting unreasonable rules onto people.

As an idividual I know what is good/bad for their relationship with God, because I have faith that God will show me whats right, not a series of people who are just as worldly as the rest of us,

The idea that what does and does not constitute "profrane music" might vary among people seems to be lost on Chris. Not to mention that how someone reacts to music is you know...varied.

 

[ChrisHolland619]

The idea that what does and does not constitute "profrane music" might vary among people seems to be lost on Chris. Not to mention that how someone reacts to music is you know...varied.

It has nothing to do with how it makes YOU react, but how GOD reacts.

Do not trust your emotions. Emotions are as fickle as the wind, and is warned against in the scriptures.

Sinning feels good. Sinning feels right. That's why we're sinners. Emotions cloud judgement. I'm not saying go all Vulcan on me, but seriously, listen to the Holy Spirit, not your feelings.

That's one of the biggest mistakes people make is listening to how something makes YOU feel. How about Christ?

And by profane music, I am talking about music that has a lot profanity and filthy language, and themes that are sexual or abusive.

 

[SonOfTheWest]

It has nothing to do with how it makes YOU react, but how GOD reacts.

Do not trust your emotions. Emotions are as fickle as the wind, and is warned against in the scriptures.

Sinning feels good. Sinning feels right. That's why we're sinners. Emotions cloud judgement. I'm not saying go all Vulcan on me, but seriously, listen to the Holy Spirit, not your feelings.

That's one of the biggest mistakes people make is listening to how something makes YOU feel. How about Christ?

And by profane music, I am talking about music that has a lot profanity and filthy language, and themes that are sexual or abusive.

I didn't know God had a CF account under the name ChrisHolland619. Astounding.

 

[ChrisHolland619]

Lol? That didn't even make sense.
Are you insinuating that I'm doing anything other than telling you exactly what the scriptures say?

Or are you getting defensive because someone is giving you Biblical proof that contradicts your emotional beliefs?

Scripture trumps feelings. Scripture trumps emotion. I'm sorry if that is news to you.

 

[SonOfTheWest]

Lol? That didn't even make sense.
Are you insinuating that I'm doing anything other than telling you exactly what the scriptures say?

Or are you getting defensive because someone is giving you Biblical proof that contradicts your emotional beliefs?

Video games are in the bible?! This is getting even more astounding.


Or you're speaking out of your place for God.

 

[HopingForJesus]

I don't think it is a sin to play video games as long as you aren't playing ones that would be inappropriate to play and that you would have to use your own judgement for. Also, spending too much time playing games instead of focusing on God is not right.

 

[ChrisHolland619]

Video games are in the bible?! This is getting even more astounding.


Or you're speaking out of your place for God.

*takes deep breath*

Alright. Let's tackle your claims one by one, shall we? Using the Holy Bible (KJV).

I didn't know God had a CF account under the name ChrisHolland619. Astounding.

Alrighty. This statement obviously stems from the fact that you think a fellow brother or sister in Christ cannot acknowledge someone else's sin and try and put them on the right path, and that only God can do that. This is false.

"and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Galatians 6:1

Pretty much sums it up, honestly. Christians are to correct Christians and help them on the right path. Such is my intent.

On a different slant, one of the most often quoted scriptures is "Judge not, lest ye be judged" Matthew 7:1. Taken out of context, the verse has been used to incorrectly justify never taking a stand on anything that would require a judgment to be made. Rather, the verse is referring to hypocritical, self-righteous, unfair kinds of judgment, especially where the confronter is guilty of the same sin as the one being confronted.

Now, onto the actual issue of what we're discussing in the first place in this particular segment of this little "debate": the fact that you think you can listen to profane music and it not influence you in a sinful way.

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

This denotes the fact that there is a wrong and right way to speak, a wrong and RIGHT thing to mediate on. There are words and ideals that a Christian should not say or meditate on. Listening to music is a form of meditation. It sinks into your mind and heart and it does effect you. To deny this is..well, it's ignorant.

"Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things out not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh." James 3:9-11

This scripture is saying, essentially, if you're a Christian, why would you say nice thinks but then say bad things also? Why curse, and bless God?

It uses the contrast of a fountain producing sweet water. A fountain producing sweet water cannot produce bitter water unless it's poisoned. The poison is sin.

Now, let's take a further look at what the Bible says about how we as Christians should conduct ourselves:

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2

"Be not conformed to this world". What do you think that means? What is the world? The world is:

Sin (in general)
Lust
Adultery
Fornication
Cursing
Jealousy

Those things aren't present in profane music? You must be listening to some odd profane music, brother.

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you." Philippians 4:8-9

To refute what I'm saying is to refute the clear teachings of the Bible. Is that what you're saying, SonOfTheWest and powerpoint?

Take these sayings not as judgements, but from a fellow brother in Christ who is trying to set you on the right path when you've obviously got the wrong idea about the scriptures and what they say about living in the world verse living in the Spirit of Christ.

 

[powerpoint]

That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

Please give me scriptural references where it states you can listen to profane music and fill your life/mind/heart with profanity and it be ok and not a sin.

Because I have at least 6 verses right here that proves the exact opposite.

How can it be a sin for one person, and not be a sin for someone else LOL. What a joke, no offense. But you're just completely wrong.

Wow, you came out swinging. Fair enough then...

So, first thing first. you have said the following:

:It is, however, a sin to play filthy video games like GTA, Red Dead Redemption, and Saints Row.

Those games have full nudity and extremely filthy language in them. Why
would a Christian want to play that? Would Christ?

OK, if you don't play these games, how do you know they contain full nudity? I havn't found nudity on GTA 4 (San Andreas has the hot coffee mod, which was fully clothed, nothing in GTA vice City, 3 or Chinatown Wars) nor on Red Dead, the nudity on saints row 2 is censored with one of those scramble bars, and this comes from clocking 50+ hours in each of the games you mention. This shows me you catagorically have no idea what you are talking about in reference to these games, which makes your assertations about music and whatever else immediately suspect, because it seems you are running off hyperbole rather than facts.

Secondly, you have also said:

ou ARE sinning however, if you play games that DO include those things, OR if you put those good games (the friendly family games) above God, making them an idol above God.

While I agree about the Idolotry part (and I wonder how much of an Idol you are making of your own theology on this issue), consider Galatians 5:4

"You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace"

So, your assertation that people can be right with God by following rules is, frankly, complete crap. And like it or not, thats what your opinion is, an additional rule thats imposed on people in addition to true scripture. How can you catagorically state that someone is sinning if they play a game with swearing? Do you know for definite that the swearing in the game causes them to sin? Do you posess a supernatural insight into everyone who's ever played a videogame with swearing in it?

By logical extension then, the same thing applies to music. Do you, by some divine miracle, posess some oracular knowledge that catagorically everyone who hears a song by, say, 50 cent, will go on to sin?

Didn't think so...

Yet, you call me rediculous for advocating people use the spiritual gift of discernment to determine what would and wouldn't affect their walk with God?

Clearly you've used this gift and its worked for you, and I'll pop my collar too you for that. But that doesn't mean you have the right to use the gift of discernment on behalf of everyone else who you come into contact with. And, like it or not, thats what your doing. You are imposing your will onto other people. Maybe with the best of intentions (and yes, I'm probably chief of hypocrites saying that), but recognise what you are doing. James, brother of Jesus said this:

"“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”(Acts 15:19-21)

So James, the brother of Jesus says, in essence, that the old laws were unreasonable for new believers in jesus and couldn't be kept (source: John Stott). So why do you feel its appropriate to pile new laws onto Christians?

Now true, if those things caused me to sin, then yes, I need rid of them, but they don't. I listen to rap music as deep as LCN and slaughterhouse, but I have yet to do a driveby or don a pimp suit. I read Stephen King, yet I am far from an alcoholic writer (main character in 60% of his books)

You seem to have this assumption that someone who is exposed a little bit is the following:

1: Incapable of discerning wether or not something is evil or will have a negative impact on their relationship with God
2: That to glorify God, people shouldn't do anything except sit in our chairs, reading the Shack and listening to Tim Hughes.

I mean, your opinion, taken to its logical conclusion, is that I shouldn't watch the news because it contains scenes of violence and references the idolatry of money. Do you see how rediculous that is? If I watch the news, because it contains "naughty stuff", does that mean I'll automatically sin?

Come on mate...

To refute what I'm saying is to refute the clear teachings of the Bible. Is that what you're saying, SonOfTheWest and powerpoint?

I mean really. You've made an Idol of yourself and your theology there. Arrogance at its finest

 

[ChrisHolland619]

I own Red Dead Redemption, I got it before I got saved last year. And yes, it does have the F word in it every other word, and it DOES have TWO cut scenes containing full nudity of a hispanic women. It's virtually a sex scene where the guy is..well. Yeah. And you see everything.

I also have played numerous GTA games where you see partial frontal female nudity in a club.


No where in this entire argument have I said you can be right with God through your own works. You are right with God because of Jesus Christ.

Living in the Spirit and living in the world are two very different things, and just because God wants you to live in the Spirit doesn't mean if you don't that you're not saved. It just means you're sinning. And if you sin, God will not bless you if you were living in the Spirit. I don't see how that doesn't make sense.

I mean, your opinion, taken to its logical conclusion, is that I shouldn't watch the news because it contains scenes of violence and references the idolatry of money. Do you see how rediculous that is? If I watch the news, because it contains "naughty stuff", does that mean I'll automatically sin?

You are purposely taking what I've said this entire argument out of context. Did I say you can't watch the news? Lol?

Watching the news is absolutely NOTHING like playing a video game that contains filthy language and full frontal nudity, nor is it ANYTHING like listening to profane music. You are FILLING your mind and heart with those things. Please, read the long post that I wrote on the top of this page (page 4, post #31).

Maybe then you'll realize/understand what I'm talking about.

As a matter of fact, I've done my part. I'm done with this argument, seeing as you're only looking to prove wrong with invalid out of context quotes, and aren't trying to learn how to better yourself. That's real Christian. /yawn

Read my post at the top of this page, maybe you'll learn something. If not, well, that's not my fault.

-Brother in Christ

 

[powerpoint]

Read my post at the top of this page, maybe you'll learn something. If not, well, that's not my fault.

Again, arrogance and acting like a primadona does you no favours.

Fair point about Red Dead, I spent most of my time messing about on it because i could pretent to be a cowboy. I'll retract what I said about you not knowing about that and apologise for it publicly.

But what you have to reallise is this. You are kind of saying that we can be right with God through works because you are advocating putting extra rules on top of scripture instead of encouraging people to rely on their own relationship with God. I am advocating each person use Discernment, you are catagorically stating that anyone who listens to, say, rap music, is having their behaviour changed and modified by it and it will cause them to sin. This is how you have come across in your posts. Perhaps you missed where I said I'd been convicted not to watch certain things, and that I do excersie discernment, but you'd rather use hyperbole to paint a picture of people being helpless muppets.

I have read your long post, and it doesn't stop me disagreeing with you. I don;t see it, I just see legalism and the advocation of behavioural modification instead of heart transformation. Sorry, but thats just the way it is.

The news analogy was entirely appropriate because, where do we draw the line? If you are being legalistic about music with swearing, where do we stop cutting stuff out. Obviously you seem to advocate what is wrong, so my question to you is this: Where is the line? Because whereever you draw it, people are going to take exception.

Also, faux storming off/signing off, nice touch...

 

[ChrisHolland619]

If you can't see the truth in the Word of God, I really don't know what to say.

Not my job at this point. I've presented the truth, I can't make you believe it.

And I didn't "storm off". I'm just fed up with your strawman arguments. I've supported what I've said with nothing but scripture. You've supported your rebuttals with your opinions. I don't care about your opinions.

You've still failed to give me ANY scripture backing up your claims, the claims that you can remain in sin and surround your life with sinful thoughts and music and it not be a sin.

Still waiting on that scripture. I also doubt very much you actually read what I wrote on the top of this page.

 

[waves]

I saw a website and it said it's a sin to play video games, as well as chess and card games. I'm not into the latter, but I do enjoy the former. Am I going to hell, or at least re-crucifying Jesus because I play video games?

Gaming

Quote from article:

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If you don't believe me, listen to this true story ?[/FONT]​

​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A Christian sister of mine who lives in the Northwest USA told me the following story. One day she walked to her friends house next door to pay her a visit, and to spend some time with her.


[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]When she entered the apartment, she saw that her friends brother was there playing World of Warcraft on the computer. As she walked into the apartment, she could feel the demonic oppression inside of the apartment like a heavy Myst. Then she told me the following ? as she walked into the apartment and took a look at her friends brother playing the game, she saw a real demon enter into her brother right from the computer monitor![/FONT]​

​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]She shared this story with me and I confirmed with her that not only do I believe it 100 percent, but that I know for an absolute fact that the demons come right into us through the computer monitor when we game. They do the exact same thing when we watch porn, so why wouldn't they also enter us through the computer monitor when we sin by gaming? OF COURSE THEY DO.[/FONT]​

​

​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Listen people, all gaming and I say ALL GAMING is from satan.[/FONT]​

​

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]THE LORD GOD JESUS is Holy, and there is nothing holy about gaming whatsoever![/FONT]​

It is not a sin of itself to play video games. However I believe what she said is true. I remember playing a game on a computer and I felt some small demonic spirits flying around my head.

 

[ChrisHolland619]

Lol, I'm sorry but I used to play WoW casually. Never once did I sin by playing the game in and of itself.

This "story" is more than likely concocted to persuade people from not playing video games. It has nothing to do with Satan or God.

As with anything, God wants us to enjoy ourselves. We are allowed to have fun. God is not some evil being in the clouds burning us with fire every time we laugh or enjoy ourselves. God loves us.

And if you participate in a hobby that is not inherently sinful, and you put God above that hobby and only do it after you've spent time with God that day, you are NOT sinning.

Now don't get me wrong, there are hobbies that are sinful of coarse. Gaming (as long as it's not profane or vulgar) is not one of them. I'd love for you to give me Biblical proof (not your opinion) refuting that statement.

 

[Boidae]

That is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.

Please give me scriptural references where it states you can listen to profane music and fill your life/mind/heart with profanity and it be ok and not a sin.

Because I have at least 6 verses right here that proves the exact opposite.

How can it be a sin for one person, and not be a sin for someone else LOL. What a joke, no offense. But you're just completely wrong.

1 Corinthians 6:12

"All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any."

Obviously, some discernment is needed, but others who have stated what is sinful for you, may not be sinful for me.

Let me take that a step farther.

I have never been drunk in my life, nor high or smoked cigarettes. I can have a casual drink and it won't be a sin for me in my life. However, someone else could have a casual drink and it turns into sin because they take it too far.

Same with music. There are those who very well be influenced by the music that they hear and in turn it causes them to sin, but not all people who listen to secular music have that issue.

I am not affected by music. It doesn't guide my life, nor tell me how to act and never has even before I was a Christian.

I am not under the power of music.

However, I used to be under the power of video games (again before I became a Christian) and it did have some major consequences. However, I was able to break that addiction and it no longer holds any power over me. I can play video games, but not spend 12-14 hours a day on them. I can log out anytime I choose, unlike before when it was always one more level, or let me finish this raid.

Nothing holds power over me, except for maybe my wife, but that's not an idolatrous kind of power.

 

[wayfaring man]

Actually, your heart is whatever you witness or experience. You cannot shut off your heart. Ever.

The mind is the seat of judgment.

The heart is the storehouse of that which the mind has accepted as being worthy of liking/loving.

The mind can block much (perhaps not all) of what we see or feel from being stored in the heart, by judging such as being false, or in some substantial way unfit - the mind can keep things from being stored in the heart.

This is why some can watch or experience certain things and it have little or no effect...either good or bad.

And others, (who have a less discriminating mind) that are thereby more impressionable, can watch or experience the same things and be greatly affected by them...which is why some things are particularly unfit for small children, but not necessarily for adults.

Yet, we are warned -

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. <-----> 1st Corinthians 15:33

Which indicates that we all have a limit to how much we can "block out", and should therefore seek to minimize our exposure to that which exerts an influence which is not good.

On the flip side of seeking to not be overexposed to the unedifying.

We are told to overtly follow after that which does us good.

Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. <-----> Romans 14:19

So the criteria becomes two-fold.

1. Is the game/past-time communicating questionable sounds/images which exert a bad influence.

2. Is the game/past-time communicating unquestionably good and godly sounds/images.

There's some room for subjectivity and personal preference where liberty reigns...but there's also significant room for a consensus of like mindedness where rules govern.

When Paul wrote, "all things are lawful for me".

He wouldn't be consistent in saying that - if he meant for "all things" to include things such as murder, adultery, bearing false witness, ungodly coveting, etc.

When taken in context the phrase "all things are lawful for me", is tied to statements which mainly pertain to dietary laws. (See 1st Corinthians 6:13+13 & 10:23-31)

May The Lord Be Pleased !

wm

 

[Ash Crimson]

All video games are sinful. They are against GOD.

They contain witchcraft, demonic references, magic spells. Do you think Jesus likes this stuff???