Should Christians play video games?

[fuji]

Oh man i feel ya there.(Unless you meant something different by it) I feel really really bad if like my mom decides to crochet me something and i never use it or like it.

It's because they are doing it for themselves too. They wouldn't if they didn't enjoy it.

I make movies and put them on youtube and no one watches them, same thing.

 

[Koakku]

I know it's so hard to play a fixed amount of time on minecraft. Do you think drawing pictures of Jesus or something is glorifying him? I used to draw, and i wouldn't mind going back to drawing if i could just think of something to draw.

Yeah, that'd be glorifying him. You can even record yourself drawing and make videos on it or make videos on how to draw Jesus. You may even have more then one talent, writing stories, photography etc. Just keeping yourself busy while glorifying God helps a lot with addictions. 1 Cor 10:31

 

[Koakku]

I am just saying people need to relax.

My grandmother spends weeks making me a wool hat I will never wear, but if I spent weeks playing minecraft and helping someone build a fort, that is a sin?

I mean, at least someone will use the fort

Well, my point on all of this was actually about violent video games. I wouldn't say making your son a wool hat is a sin. lol

 

[Soverinth]

Yeah, that'd be glorifying him. You can even record yourself drawing and make videos on it or make videos on how to draw Jesus. You may even have more then one talent, writing stories, photography etc. Just keeping yourself busy while glorifying God helps a lot with addictions. 1 Cor 10:31

Hmm..You just inspired me. I may start drawing again and this time it will be Jesus or just things about Jesus.

 

[thesunisout]

Ideally, we would spend all of our time doing something for the Kingdom of God. Ideally, we would want to do that more than anything else. Ideally, we would be doing that to the extent that we wouldn't have time for anything else. I think it really depends on where you are in your walk. What you do with your time is a direct reflection of what your priorities are. It is the evidence of whether God is first in your life or not.

 

[fuji]

Well, my point on all of this was actually about violent video games. I wouldn't say making your son a wool hat is a sin. lol

If violent video games are a sin and make kids want to do violence. Then does the very graphic violence in the bible make kids want to hurt people?

I blame parents that don't educate their children. Someone can learn about violence, that doesn't mean they will be violent afterwards.

 

[Soverinth]

I haven't drawn in years though... I may not have enough patients to get back into it. Hmmm...

 

[Koakku]

If violent video games are a sin and make kids want to do violence. Then does the very graphic violence in the bible make kids want to hurt people?

I blame parents that don't educate their children. Someone can learn about violence, that doesn't mean they will be violent afterwards.

There's kind of a difference to me, the violence in the bible was a display on how wicked and terrible sin is and the judgments and wrath that comes from sin happening. Rather then say playing call of duty, "which i use to do a lot" and killing people on there for your own pleasures. Matthew 6:22 and Psalm 101:3 are good verses on that. I could be wrong with what i'm saying and people may take video games a different way then i do even so i was searching for other peoples opinions on this topic deep down because i wanted to find an excuse to play them again back then and i always wonder about this.

 

[thesunisout]

If violent video games are a sin and make kids want to do violence. Then does the very graphic violence in the bible make kids want to hurt people?

I blame parents that don't educate their children. Someone can learn about violence, that doesn't mean they will be violent afterwards.

Christians shouldn't partake in anything which glorifies sin.

 

[Koakku]

I haven't drawn in years though... I may not have enough patients to get back into it. Hmmm...

It's worth a shot though. lol

 

[Soverinth]

It's worth a shot though. lol

True.

 

[fuji]

There's kind of a difference to me, the violence in the bible was a display on how wicked and terrible sin is and the judgments and wrath that comes from sin happening. Rather then say playing call of duty, "which i use to do a lot" and killing people on there for your own pleasures. Matthew 6:22 and Psalm 101:3 are good verses on that. I could be wrong with what i'm saying and people may take video games a different way then i do even so i was searching for other peoples opinions on this topic deep down because i wanted to find an excuse to play them again back then and i always wonder about this.

Ok, so Call of Duty, a war game, is bad.

Does that mean you don't partake in movies that have war or shooting other people? I feel good when the protagonist kills the antagonist sometimes, is that wrong?

Or what about paintball? Shooting others so your team wins...that sounds like CoD.

Or are you talking about sick people that use video games to fulfill violent pleasures so they can carry them out one day in real life?

People read the bible and use it to do horrible things too(discriminate against others, the God hates F**s people), is the bible bad?

 

[Koakku]

Ok, so Call of Duty, a war game, is bad.

Does that mean you don't partake in movies that have war or shooting other people? I feel good when the protagonist kills the antagonist sometimes, is that wrong?

Or what about paintball? Shooting others so your team wins...that sounds like CoD.

Or are you talking about sick people that use video games to fulfill violent pleasures so they can carry them out one day in real life?

People read the bible and use it to do horrible things too(discriminate against others, the God hates F**s people), is the bible bad?

Why are you taking things out of context? I'm talking about violent video games. A paintball game isn't violent because you aren't killing a person, you're willfully shooting the person with a paintball who has a vest and helmet on to protect them. "I'm not trying to say anything" all i was saying is that i personally think playing violent video games is wrong all i asked was for other people's opinions. I personally don't watch war movies, etc. I may watch like something on the news where someone got killed or gets killed or a bible movie where something like that happens but that's me personally.

 

[fuji]

Why are you taking things out of context? I'm talking about violent video games. A paintball game isn't violent because you aren't killing a person, you're willfully shooting the person with a paintball who has a vest and helmet on to protect them.

Paintball isn't violent you say?

Holding a gun in your hands, shooting others with paintballs that leave marks most of the time, but...

Sitting in front of a computer, with a keyboard and mouse, shooting others with a CGI character who never really dies just respawns, is way more violent?

I think the imitation of paintball is way more realistic to shooting others in real life than sitting in front of a computer and clicking a mouse.

 

[Koakku]

Paintball isn't violent you say?

Holding a gun in your hands, shooting others with paintballs that leave marks most of the time, but...

Sitting in front of a computer, with a keyboard and mouse, shooting others with a CGI character who never really dies just respawns, is way more violent?

I think the imitation of paintball is way more realistic to shooting others in real life than sitting in front of a computer and clicking a mouse.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I don't think shooting people with paint balls are violent (unless it's outside of a friendly game of paintball where both people are protected and you're dong it intentionally to harm someone) nor do i think shooting someone with a water gun is violent. I'm not going to convince you to stop playing video games if you don't want to or sit here and continue to debate with you about this because you obviously aren't going to consider what i'm saying. But lets just say this, if you saw someone playing a video game and your own "wife" (saying this if as you had one) was being killed and kept respawning i'd think you'd be some what offended by it i'm not talking about from a human's perspective i'm talking about what would be pleasing and not pleasing to God anyways, thanks for your opinion.

 

[sk8brdkd]

I play videogames --- I have all the grand theft auto games --- i just know the difference btwn right and wrong and real life and pretend as Most people do. Do these games honor God?!? probably not but, am I really doing wrong?!? I don't believe so because even though while in the game, i'm speeding, killing people, shooting, etc., I will never do that in real life bc I don't want to suffer the consequences but, in the game, there is no true consequences.

I play a lotta games similar to grand theft auto too and have for years. I don't see why i shouldn't play them. I also play lots of racing games which, i don't think are sinful at all since there's no foul language in them or anything.

I own the nintendo wii. ps2, xbox and psp --- i have several games for all the systems --- i love videogames --- after a long/hard/stressful day, videogames r one of the few things that helps me to relax n cool down. I think it's positive thing to do, to play.

 

[thesunisout]

I play videogames --- I have all the grand theft auto games --- i just know the difference btwn right and wrong and real life and pretend as Most people do. Do these games honor God?!? probably not but, am I really doing wrong?!? I don't believe so because even though while in the game, i'm speeding, killing people, shooting, etc., I will never do that in real life bc I don't want to suffer the consequences but, in the game, there is no true consequences.

I play a lotta games similar to grand theft auto too and have for years. I don't see why i shouldn't play them. I also play lots of racing games which, i don't think are sinful at all since there's no foul language in them or anything.

I own the nintendo wii. ps2, xbox and psp --- i have several games for all the systems --- i love videogames --- after a long/hard/stressful day, videogames r one of the few things that helps me to relax n cool down. I think it's positive thing to do, to play.

You're right, even pretending to do the things your Heavenly Father hates is not honoring God. It's not probably not, it's definitely not. If you know that, why do you still do it? Do you think Christians should entertain themselves with sin? This is what scripture says about the kinds of things we should feed ourselves with:

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Jesus wants you to come to Him when you are stressed and lay your burdens on His shoulders. He wants you to see Him as the only source of your comfort, and not video games. If you're using video games to unload and de-stress then you are putting something before Jesus, which means they are a false idol in your life. Watch this to see what I mean:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG3Oe62ia-o

 

[fuji]

You're right, even pretending to do the things your Heavenly Father hates is not honoring God. It's not probably not, it's definitely not. If you know that, why do you still do it? Do you think Christians should entertain themselves with sin? This is what scripture says about the kinds of things we should feed ourselves with:

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Jesus wants you to come to Him when you are stressed and lay your burdens on His shoulders. He wants you to see Him as the only source of your comfort, and not video games. If you're using video games to unload and de-stress then you are putting something before Jesus, which means they are a false idol in your life.

I like to de-stress by hunting, fishing, going on roller coasters, watching tv/movies...does this honor God? If not, should I stop doing all these things?

 

[thesunisout]

I like to de-stress by hunting, fishing, going on roller coasters, watching tv/movies...does this honor God? If not, should I stop doing all these things?

If you're depending on those things to de-stress, then yes they are an idol in your life. It's not about a good and bad list, it is about priority. If you are putting something before God, or using something in the place of Gods help, then it is a false idol. It's not inherently bad to do any of those things necessarily, although within that Christians should not partake in anything which glorifies sin.

 

[fuji]

If you're depending on those things to de-stress, then yes they are an idol in your life. It's not about a good and bad list, it is about priority. If you are putting something before God, or using something in the place of Gods help, then it is a false idol. It's not inherently bad to do any of those things necessarily, although within that Christians should not partake in anything which glorifies sin.

An idol? I'm not worshiping these things, I just like to do them sometimes.

If it is about priority, then most of my time is spent working, so is that an idol?

Maybe you are right, maybe I should quit my job and become a missionary.

Or I can praise God daily in my mind for him providing work, a house, a tv, a computer...maybe even a video game. I could make sure I do most things in moderation too, not just video games but eating unhealthy food, working out, spending time with my family.

So for the OP's question, yes Christians can play video games.

Should they play games like WoW for 12hrs a day and miss work or school or church...probably not, then I can see an idol. But for someone that likes to play an hour or two before they go to bed at night, I'm all for that.

Side note: I honestly think you guys are just trolling me or something.