Video games, are they a sin?

[Kyleiferous]

I've always been abit of a gamer, and never felt this way before until yesterday, but basically, I was playing call of duty, and for some reason I felt like God didn't want me to do it ( I'm not obsessed or anything). I feel really bad for playing it, even though I never used feel bad for it. I told God that I will not worship games more than him, but I still feel bad, any thoughts.

I don't let them influence me, I would NEVER kill in real life, its just a game.

I dunno if it's God who's mad at me, or its just me being stupid and overreacting, I tend to do that alot, but I feel like God is really sad for me playing it, but I never used to think he felt like that.

What's happening, I would give it up if I knew God thought it was a sin, but I don't know, help please? Thanks.

 

[StoicGnostic]

I've always been abit of a gamer, and never felt this way before until yesterday, but basically, I was playing call of duty, and for some reason I felt like God didn't want me to do it ( I'm not obsessed or anything). I feel really bad for playing it, even though I never used feel bad for it. I told God that I will not worship games more than him, but I still feel bad, any thoughts.

I don't let them influence me, I would NEVER kill in real life, its just a game.

I dunno if it's God who's mad at me, or its just me being stupid and overreacting, I tend to do that alot, but I feel like God is really sad for me playing it, but I never used to think he felt like that.

What's happening, I would give it up if I knew God thought it was a sin, but I don't know, help please? Thanks.

As long as you separate the game from real life then it's perfectly alright. I play violent video-games, but I understand that they are fantasy and so I feel no guilt because I would never do such things in real life.

One thing I would bring up are Tarantino films; they are full of cursing and violence but the director himself abhors violence. He is able to do so because he can separate violence in fantasy from violence in reality.

You could try playing another game that is just as violent but less realistic (like Saints Row) and then playing a non-violent game (like a racing game or life simulator) and seeing if you get the same feeling.

 

[Kyleiferous]

As long as you separate the game from real life then it's perfectly alright. I play violent video-games, but I understand that they are fantasy and so I feel no guilt because I would never do such things in real life.

One thing I would bring up are Tarantino films; they are full of cursing and violence but the director himself abhors violence. He is able to do so because he can separate violence in fantasy from violence in reality.

You could try playing another game that is just as violent but less realistic (like Saints Row) and then playing a non-violent game (like a racing game or life simulator) and seeing if you get the same feeling.

Thanks, I seemed to feel less guilty playing a racing game ( F1 2011 ) than Call of duty, but I dunno.

Sometimes I feel it is satan trying to make me feel bad, and when I do I find it difficult to hear God, pretty annoying.

How do you guys reckon I can tell when it's satan or God or even just my consience talking to me, I have only really been talking to God properly for a short while, so I need help with this. Thanks.

 

[Chilaha]

Well, God and your conscience are kind of the same thing. The Holy Spirit is part of the trinity, (Jesus, God, Spirit) and that is used to tell us when we did something wrong. I guess usually you will feel guilt. Also, if you do something wrong, you also may not feel at peace. Which I guess if you take the right stuff away, it could maybe explain how to tell the difference between God and satin talking to you.

I don't know if you resolved your issue on video games, but I figured I'd give my input since I used to be a huge gamer. When I first started gaming I played E-M games. I mean, I would play Halo 3 and t-bag people and not feel bad about it. And, as time passed, I seem to feel guilt about it. So, I stopped playing M, then T, and now I don't even play E 10+ games if they have any kind of violence. (Except hockey and sports games)
So, with that said. Do whatever you feel is right according to your faith.
I hope this helped maybe even just a little.
Chilaha

 

[Chilaha]

Well, God and your conscience are kind of the same thing. The Holy Spirit is part of the trinity, (Jesus, God, Spirit) and that is used to tell us when we did something wrong. I guess usually you will feel guilt. Also, if you do something wrong, you also may not feel at peace. Which I guess if you take the right stuff away, it could maybe explain how to tell the difference between God and satin talking to you. <br />
<br />
I don't know if you resolved your issue on video games, but I figured I'd give my input since I used to be a huge gamer. When I first started gaming I played E-M games. I mean, I would play Halo 3 and t-bag people and not feel bad about it. <img src="http://www.christianforums.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Big Grin" smilieid="23" class="inlineimg" /> And, as time passed, I seem to feel guilt about it. So, I stopped playing M, then T, and now I don't even play E 10+ games if they have any kind of violence. (Except hockey and sports games) <br />
So, with that said. Do whatever you feel is right according to your faith. And, just because God doesn't completely come out and say "such and such is a sin". Doesn't mean it isn't. I've gotten into tons of bad stuff when I went thinking, "But, God never said this..." <br />
Oh, and if you have xbox 360, PM me your gamertag.
Chilaha

 

[Kyleiferous]

Thanks Chilaha, unfortunately I have a PS3, lol sorry. Thanks for the reply though, I reckon God won't mind me playing games that are voilent if I play with the right motives ( eg don't be killing the AI because I am angry at someone in real life).

I'll work on listening for God, I know he doesnt always shout to be heard, but I definately have trouble listening for him, and sometimes, as I said, I feel as it is satan trying to make me feel bad because that's what he wants, I discovered this last night when the 'voice' I was listening to actually contradicted itself. So yeah, but I'll try what you said.

I feel pretty distant from God at the moment, which I am trying to fix by talking to him, but the problem I just mentioned makes it hard, but you never know, it may be some sort of test of my faith ( I'll never stop believing ), I saw a verse in the bible about being tested, can't remember where though. Also, I know that suffering brings you closer to Christ, so maybe that's what God's doing. I just have to trust in God that he's doing this for a reason.

Bit of a rant but I had to get that out to kind of arrange my thoughts on the topic.

 

[zijiatimothy]

i used to feel bad once, but i sort of got over it. it was after i figured why i was gaming. i game because i like playing with my friends. Maybe God want you to use your gaming skills for another purpose. You can play whatever games but dun let the video game logics cloud your mind.


ps i play halo,COD,gears of wars, final fantasy and kingdom hearts. OH and i nearly forget, League of Legends XD

 

[Kyleiferous]

Thanks zijiatimothy, I think God doesn't mind me playing them if I play for fun, and try and not get angry (sometimes they are frustrating), and with the full knowledge that real war and real violence is horrible and never fun in any way.

 

[zijiatimothy]

NP. maybe you should do something else rather than gaming for a change. maybe the closest thing you can have, for simulated violence in real life is playing paintball(and again with more friends) and yes, it hurts..........

 

[CalledOutOne]

It depends on the game. If the game is really violent, I wouldn't play it (personal conviction).

Psalm 11:5, "The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth."

 

[zijiatimothy]

maybe the most violent game i could think of (i meant i ever played) is Gears of war. i only enjoyed cutting my friends into half with the chainsaw bayonet. ok maybe that's pretty lame, but i think the only thing that, that game can offer is it better game play mechanics.

 

[CalledOutOne]

maybe the most violent game i could think of (i meant i ever played) is Gears of war. i only enjoyed cutting my friends into half with the chainsaw bayonet. ok maybe that's pretty lame, but i think the only thing that, that game can offer is it better game play mechanics.

Forgive me, but you're not bothered by that?

Psalm 11:5 is the verse that really got me to stop with violent video games.

 

[zijiatimothy]

nope, not really (you can call me what ever you wan, but i really made my stand clear) .

i already said, its what you use gaming for that matters. My friends enjoyed one another getting killed in the worst (and probably the stupidest) possible way. in other words, we are just playing for the fun of it, and please, do not let video game logic cloud your mind. a chainsaw bayonet is very impractical for slicing and dicing.

 

[Barricade24]

I tend to stay away from games that really, really don't sit well with me. Such as Grand Theft Auto. It's really a game that I have no interest playing.

But as to our video games a sin? I believe that it may be for some but not for everyone. Some may see it as wrong, others may not.

So you should ask yourself if you feel comfortable playing a game. I sometimes take a fast from video games if they are making me take the game way to seriously. It helps alot.

I hope this helps you.

 

[AfanofJesus]

This issue/problem/question etc. is really difficult to handle. I mean put it like this: What's the goal with Call Of Duty? Well to kill you enemies in the most effective way which often is the nastiest way too. Why do people play it? Because people find joy in it. Should a Christian find joy in killing people in a nasty way? I guess not. Although as for myself when I play Call Of Duty it's a sport, it's a challenge. Killing and tactical warfare could be replace by a soccer game. When we end up here is suddenly harder to judge.

Although I think the most important part when it comes down to anything we are about to judge is to be honest to ourselves and our reactions, what holy spirit in us tells us. I mean there are many situations in life where we don't have clear rules, or where we don't know the exact rules, but many times you know how to act anyhow. Let's say you said a joke and someone was offended, I mean even though there are no obious rule saying you may not joke, most of us would still feel bad and talk and explain to the person. Next time we'd probably be more careful. I think this is simply caused by our natural instict to act in a good manner that not always can be defined exactly, but that most of us has in us.

If we apply this to videogames I'd say: If you feel that what you are doing is really wrong, it damages you, it damages your relation to God and other persons etc. well then you probably should worry. I know many people that play too much - meaning it causes them not to get enough sleep, they don't do homework properly, it causes quarrel in the family etc. Although they enjoy that much that they don't want to admit the problems, they tries not to see it as a problem, although most of them know it is a problem in their hearts. Well then worry.

If you just game a little bit for fun and it makes you happier, relaxed or whatever, and doesn't have the bad effects I mentioned (like damaging your relation to God) then I think it's okay.

What I'd recommend you to do is to sometimes when you feel like playing a video game take some time to read the bible instead, pray, worship God. Sometimes you could try not to play videogames for a week or something - that can be a good test, also it will strenghten your relation with God

 

[zijiatimothy]

Hey dude, never thought i'll see you again. Btw i'm sure there are other activities youths of our age can enjoy other than video games. But anyway, it all boils down to your relationship with god.

p.s, in singapore, the weather trolls you. it is a place where rain might only last 15 min. and then we can't do our outdoor activities because the venue is wet. so what we do indoors? Either we revise another chapter or bore ourself by playing COD. This is how an average teen in singapore lives XD

 

[thelordskingdom777]

You should see this video, I think it will help you to decide.Christians and Video Games... Good Idea? - YouTube

 

[r21c]

Depends on the game, and a number of other factors of the person.

 

[Francess]

Maybe your conscious is telling you that God does not like the nature of the game (especially if its violent). I've never played Call of Duty, but I've heard of it. I don't know maybe playing that game is just a bad habit, or maybe its God telling you to play it in moderation.

 

[walkinthespirit]

I am not familiar with the games mentioned here, but violent games, and some other games allow unfamiliar spirits into your life and home, for example a murdering movie could allow murder and fear spirits into your home.
My thoughts are if you are feeling conviction, its from God. Try not gaming and ask the Lord to use you, chances are HE likely will. As with anything that we spend a lot of time with or on, it takes away from spending time with the one who created us.