What do you think about fighting games?

[Yohana David Jr. Gbadago]

I'm what my friends would call a "conservative" Christian, I try my best to avoid worldly passions such as violent movies, video games, etc. I just want to live a life that is pure and pleasing to God. I like some video games like mario kart and Super Smash bros. But I find myself questioning whether a game like Smash Bros is good for me to play since it contains fighting?

It doesn't cause me to have violent thoughts or cause me to be addicted (I don't even own the game, I just play it with friends from time to time). What do you guys think?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

What do you guys think?

"There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."

Well known and true Scripture.

Even when we take part in worldly entertainment, that is not edifying to or in the body of Christ,
we are not going to be condemned in Christ Jesus for just that.

 

[Aussie Pete]

I'm what my friends would call a "conservative" Christian, I try my best to avoid worldly passions such as violent movies, video games, etc. I just want to live a life that is pure and pleasing to God. I like some video games like mario kart and Super Smash bros. But I find myself questioning whether a game like Smash Bros is good for me to play since it contains fighting?

It doesn't cause me to have violent thoughts or cause me to be addicted (I don't even own the game, I just play it with friends from time to time). What do you guys think?

I'm 68. I play a tank game, blowing things up. It's a bit of fun. It depends on your conscience and where you are at in the Lord. There are things that seemed harmless 20 years ago that I would avoid now. If it is not a hindrance to your Christian life, and does not affect your witness, it is ok. However, if it is bothering your conscience, it may be lawful but it is not edifying. In that case, avoid the game.

 

[Sketcher]

It's just a game. I play games where characters fight all the time.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

It's just a game. I play games where characters fight all the time.

So do Generals in the Army. But real people die.

Where do you believe they got started ?

 

[Isilwen]

So do Generals in the Army. But real people die.

Where do you believe they got started ?

 

[Yohana David Jr. Gbadago]

Hmm, Isilwen, that doesn't seem very nice as a Christian?

I'm 68. I play a tank game, blowing things up. It's a bit of fun. It depends on your conscience and where you are at in the Lord. There are things that seemed harmless 20 years ago that I would avoid now. If it is not a hindrance to your Christian life, and does not affect your witness, it is ok. However, if it is bothering your conscience, it may be lawful but it is not edifying. In that case, avoid the game.

Thank you, yea I think this is a great answer.

 

[Yohana David Jr. Gbadago]

"There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus."

Well known and true Scripture.

Even when we take part in worldly entertainment, that is not edifying to or in the body of Christ,
we are not going to be condemned in Christ Jesus for just that.

Yep, you won't be condemned for engaging in unedifying entertainment if you're in Christ. But one still needs to repent and turn away from things such as certain types of entertainment if it hindering one's faith.

 

[Aussie Pete]

So do Generals in the Army. But real people die.

Where do you believe they got started ?

Armies were killing people thousands of years before there were video games.

 

[Norbert L]

I'm what my friends would call a "conservative" Christian, I try my best to avoid worldly passions such as violent movies, video games, etc. I just want to live a life that is pure and pleasing to God. I like some video games like mario kart and Super Smash bros. But I find myself questioning whether a game like Smash Bros is good for me to play since it contains fighting?

It doesn't cause me to have violent thoughts or cause me to be addicted (I don't even own the game, I just play it with friends from time to time). What do you guys think?

Don't confuse violence with competition. As an example I could say the game of chess is violent, you kill you're opponents chess pieces by taking them out of the game board.

 

[Isilwen]

Hmm, Isilwen, that doesn't seem very nice as a Christian?

There is nothing mean about it. It's a face-palm meme. The fact that he said what he said was a face-palm moment and if there were two people in the room, there would likely be a double face-palm.

 

[carp614]

I eventually had to severely curtail my gaming. I have a few apps on my phone now that are basically puzzle games, that's it. For a long time I was gaming during time I should have used on more productive pursuits. In hindsight I can see that gaming has been an idol for me. Like a drug I used to put off the world and procrastinate and shut off my brain.

Ephesians 5:1-21 have proven instructive to me in examining my habits, gaming and otherwise.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I'm what my friends would call a "conservative" Christian, I try my best to avoid worldly passions such as violent movies, video games, etc. I just want to live a life that is pure and pleasing to God. I like some video games like mario kart and Super Smash bros. But I find myself questioning whether a game like Smash Bros is good for me to play since it contains fighting?

It doesn't cause me to have violent thoughts or cause me to be addicted (I don't even own the game, I just play it with friends from time to time). What do you guys think?

What you watch, play, eat, etc is entirely up to you and your conscience.

But yes, it's perfectly okay to play fighting games. Pretend violence is not real violence, and that's even more true when it comes to obvious cartoonish violence like in the Smash Bros franchise.

If you think it's something you personally shouldn't do, then don't.
But don't let what others may think make you feel bad, and if you decide it's not something you're comfortable doing, don't apply it to anyone else. These matters are matters of personal conscience. You can decide for yourself, but not for anyone else; in the same way that nobody here can tell you what to do or not do about it.

When it comes to things like this they are entirely personal, individual matters of conscience, and our conscience should be free on such matters. There's nothing good or evil about these things in and of themselves, so you're the only one who can decide for yourself on the matter.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[aiki]

I'm what my friends would call a "conservative" Christian, I try my best to avoid worldly passions such as violent movies, video games, etc. I just want to live a life that is pure and pleasing to God. I like some video games like mario kart and Super Smash bros. But I find myself questioning whether a game like Smash Bros is good for me to play since it contains fighting?

It doesn't cause me to have violent thoughts or cause me to be addicted (I don't even own the game, I just play it with friends from time to time). What do you guys think?

The writer of Hebrews speaks of the Christian who sets aside both sin and "weights" in order to "run the race." (Hebrews 12:1) Have you ever thought about what a "weight" in this instance might be? Literally, the word "weight" means a "bulk or mass" and carries the sense of an "encumbrance." Imagine trying to run a race while shouldering a box of iron plates. You might be able to move forward, but not easily. And as weights accumulate, they will make it harder and harder for you to walk, let alone run.

The writer of Hebrews distinguishes "weight" from sin. Whatever the "weight" might be, it isn't strictly sinful. But, it does have the effect of hindering - perhaps greatly - your running of the race of the Christian life. When you look at the gaming you do, can you see that it has a hindering, encumbering effect on your walk with God? Does Mario Kart move you deeper into fellowship with God? Does it aid you in "running the race." Or is it just a weight that drags upon you, blunting your spiritual life, slowing your progress into spiritual maturity? Gaming might not be sinful, exactly, but it may certainly be a weight. If it is, will you lay it aside as the writer of Hebrews indicates you should? If you can't easily and readily say, "Yes!" I would suggest to you that this reveals that gaming has more of a hold on you than it should.

Just one other word about letting your conscience be your guide: Don't. God does not leave it up to our conscience to determine what is right and wrong. He tells us in His word what His will and way is. (Psalms 1; Psalms 119:11, 105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) The human conscience can be warped, and blunted, and seared. It can be made comfortable with all sorts of evil. Your conscience, then, is not a good source for determining moral right and wrong and guiding you into proper Christian living. God's word and the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-13) are the means God has supplied to you by which you navigate questions of right and wrong.

 

[Lost4words]

Nothing wrong in stepping out of reality for a bit. An escape from reality. As long as it doesnt rule your life and move your thoughts away from God. God knows our minds.

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

Will you got hell for playing a fighting game? No. Should you be playing it? Well it depends on you. If it isn't affecting your way of thinking, then its fine. I play many kinds of games. Though I do have lines I won't cross, nothing with literal satan/demon stuff. Such as Doom which tends to have pentagrams and what not. And games with nudity/sex I don't bother with really.

 

[bèlla]

In my experience, the things Lord desires to remove from my life are accompanied by the prompting of the Holy Spirit or cessation of interest. It isn’t something I have to work at or will myself to relinquish.

I can’t tell you if the games are inappropriate. But I can share a recent experience that may provide an answer of sorts.

One month ago I listened to several songs from a new CD. The music ignited something in my spirit. I kept listening and every time I did I felt lighter and happier. Finally, the day came when I heard the music live. And it set my soul aflame. We played the videos throughout the day and night and couldn’t sleep. The praise was infectious and we couldn’t stop.

I’ve never experienced anything like that and its happened more than once. The music feeds something within me and I soak it up. After a while I noticed a startling difference. That was all I heard. I no longer desired the rest.

I’ve posted my share of music on the site. But what I’m listening to now takes me to a place in God that nothing broached. It didn’t touch my inner sanctum but this does.

Nevertheless, I’d be the last to call secular music bad or dissuade anyone from playing it. I haven’t for reasons God knows and I’m still discovering. He’s ministering to me through the music I’m listening to.

And for me, what I’ve gained is head and shoulders above the things I set aside. Maybe this was the only way that could happen.

Allow Him to direct your steps. If He’s leading you away from games you’ll know. And you won’t need to ask. You’ll feel a settledness within and the answer will be clear.

~Bella

 

[Lost4words]

In my experience, the things Lord desires to remove from my life are accompanied by the prompting of the Holy Spirit or cessation of interest. It isn’t something I have to work at or will myself to relinquish.

I can’t tell you if the games are inappropriate. But I can share a recent experience that may provide an answer of sorts.

One month ago I listened to several songs from a new CD. The music ignited something in my spirit. I kept listening and every time I did I felt lighter and happier. Finally, the day came when I heard the music live. And it set my soul aflame. We played the videos throughout the day and night and couldn’t sleep. The praise was infectious and we couldn’t stop.

I’ve never experienced anything like that and its happened more than once. The music feeds something within me and I soak it up. After a while I noticed a startling difference. That was all I heard. I no longer desired the rest.

I’ve posted my share of music on the site. But what I’m listening to now takes me to a place in God that nothing broached. It didn’t touch my inner sanctum but this does.

Nevertheless, I’d be the last to call secular music bad or dissuade anyone from playing it. I haven’t for reasons God knows and I’m still discovering. He’s ministering to me through the music I’m listening to.

And for me, what I’ve gained is head and shoulders above the things I set aside. Maybe this was the only way that could happen.

Allow Him to direct your steps. If He’s leading you away from games you’ll know. And you won’t need to ask. You’ll feel a settledness within and the answer will be clear.

~Bella

Would you mind sharing what music that is? Thanks

 

[bèlla]

Would you mind sharing what music that is? Thanks

Of course I’ll share with you.

I’m referring to Kanye’s Jesus is King CD. You can see live performances of the group on YouTube. They perform songs and renditions that aren’t on the CD.

Here’s an interview his music director did with Rolling Stone. He explains how everything began.

I haven’t spoken openly on how his music ministers to me. But I shared a recent experience on this thread.

~Bella

 

[Lost4words]

Of course I’ll share with you.

I’m referring to Kanye’s Jesus is King CD. You can see live performances of the group on YouTube. They perform songs and renditions that aren’t on the CD.

Here’s an interview his music director did with Rolling Stone. He explains how everything began.

I haven’t spoken openly on how his music ministers to me. But I shared a recent experience on this thread.

~Bella

Ok, thanks for sharing.....not for me though