What should we think about playing video games?

[CounselorForChrist]

Does anyone wonder about if we should play certain games? An example is I play Skyrim and have over 375+ hours of play time (yes no life).

But often when it comes to thinks like mages or assassins...etc I struggle with should I really be playing something like that as a christian. For instance one of my favorite series it Hitman. I even have the full outfit in real life lol. But some people hear I play it and say I am a sinner.

Some friends also dislike I tend to go down the "bad guy" path in games. Like in Mass Effect I was about equal, but just slightly more a renegade. Again. I am not sure if this is bad or not. When I play I don't say "I love killing people!". I often just like being darker because I can hurt those who hurt others. Its just a video games after all I tell myself. Digital fun!

Its a very confusing topic sometimes because games are so much fun, but biblically seem so horrible. I wil say I still avoid most games that deal wtih demonic things directly. Although I did play F3AR and Dantes Inferno. Although while Dantes is not biblically accurate, I played it mainly as a a way to scare myself even more of hell. It worked out well! ^.^

So any opinions on this subject of gaming or how you play?

---edit---
I wanted to add the main reason I play games is for one because I am disabled and can't do to much else and secondly because they make me happy in terms of seeing things. A good example of this is I love seeing new games that have new place I couldn't dream of like Bioshock or Mass Effect.

I also like games like Just Cause because of its beauty. I fly as high as I can and just free fall and cry while doing so because the music is beautiful and the scenery is beautiful. I know I can never see that in real life because I of my disabilities. SO for me its a escape. And often times it reminds me of heaven because I know I will be able to fly around space and see things with no restrictions because of health! Often fantasy games make me love God more because I realize such beautiful things can be done by God and then some!

 

[TheProject]

I think you are probably over-analyzing the situation. I'm not saying you are wrong or silly for worrying about this or anything at all like that, just that you are probably over-thinking this a bit. As long as you don't let what you are playing corrupt or pervert what you actually do, I see no problems.

You even stated that playing some games bring you closer go God. How could that be wrong? With me, it is certain movies (Signs, for example) and songs that move me in my Faith. None of these things may have been made with worship or praise in mind, but it is how we personally see it and how it affects us that matters.

 

[Kolwynia]

Video games are interesting because they are so interactive. I mean, you're not just watching someone in a movie gun down all those insane people in Rapture, you're doing it. Of course, part of you realizes that they are not really people, just a collection of pixels and sound effects...but part of you feels like there is a kind of reality to what you're doing. Those digital figments are made to actually look like flesh and blood (and more blood) people.

So, what does it do to you when you decide to take wrench in hand and beat them to bloody digital death one after another?

I'm always interested in what goes on in a human soul. When it comes to church, we often talk about feeding the spirit versus feeding the flesh. But what about our minds? Does what we put in them affect them? When I come away from watching a rated R movie, am I changed inside in some way? How much more so if I come away from a rated M video game, where I am an active participant?

I think the games we play affect us, as does the way we play them.

But the effect games have on us is a hard thing to pin down.

I played both Bioshock games, and loved them. I did it with a completely clean conscience, because the Bible does not tell me not to. I know that there were no video games when the Bible was written, but there was entertainment. There were games, martial arts competitions, and plays. And there is nothing in the Bible saying, for instance, "Thou shalt not go and watch this play for it containest violence and references to false gods, and that is an abomination before the LORD." Now, the Bible does say a whole lot about not committing idolatry, and not hurting others, but treating them with love. But when it came to entertainment, storytelling, and the kind of games they had at the time, the Bible doesn't say don't do it.

Jesus was concerned with what was going on in people's hearts. He looked at the teachings of the Law and said, basically, "Not only is committing adultery bad, but even the lust going on in the heart that gave birth to that action is a sin. Not only is committing murder bad, but even the unreasoning hatred going on in the heart is a sin." His standards exceeded the Law.

What does that mean for the gamer that really, really wants to join the Dark Brotherhood in Skyrim?

It means that you gotta look at your heart and see what your gaming is doing inside of you. Which is pretty amazing. There is no "Thou shalt not" when it comes to gaming. There is only the trust that God has that you, as a believer and temple of the Holy Spirit, are gonna follow his lead and make the right decisions.

Personally, choosing a "dark" path in a game really doesn't upset my relationship with God. I became an assassin in Skyrim. I even killed that woman on her wedding day (even as I type this, I can sense the Lightning Bolt coming for that one). Sometimes, the feelings that go along with these actions just mean that the game is good interactive storytelling. (Sure I felt bad for assassinating that chef, but that was the story I wanted to play.)

Anyway, the last thing I want to do is give advice that goes against your conscience and be a stumblingblock to you.

But I don't personally find anything the least bit unbiblical about playing video games, even ones with demonic creatures in them.

I want to respect the power things like video games have to influence our hearts and minds. If something bothers you, don't play it.

But if your conscience allows it, and you are just wondering if the Bible says it's okay, then I personally believe that it is.

 

[SplendidTree]

I think like all things, it is best in moderation. I myself like games such as World of Warcraft. I don't play it often but find playing less helps me enjoy it more when I do play.

Anything can become an idol if you put too much time into it.

 

[NiobiumTragedy]

I wonder how many more times in the next year we'll see this topic come up.

#searchengineisyourfriend

 

[derek W L]

edit delete

 

[Kolwynia]

I wonder how many more times in the next year we'll see this topic come up.

#searchengineisyourfriend

Ha ha ha. The year is young! But seriously I think it's just one of those things that people need to ask about all the time to get some reassurance. I'll never forget listening to a Christian radio program (I think it was Focus on the Family) dealing with the issue of video games and they kinda got down on people for spending their time that way and went into how it can really damage the family relationships. But when it came to Football season that same Christian program recommended to wives to give their husbands space and go spend time with their Christian friends while their husbands gave all their attention to watching sports. That doesn't really apply to the whole "Is it okay to play a video game with demons in it, or to kill people in a video game" question, but it kinda shows how the Church can really have a double standard when it comes to video games. Plus, people can have really specific worries about gaming. Like how some people don't know if it's right to play a game with violence, while some worry more about "demons" or "magic" in a game.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

got down on people for spending their time that way and went into how it can really damage the family relationships.

Thats the biggest thing. Time spent on games. Alot of gamers I know are addicted to MMOs. They eat, live and breath such games. I myself have tried almost all the MMOs and could never get into them. To much repitition and all the missions after awhile felt like "Go find this" or "Go kill that".

I think MMOs are addicting because deep down alot of us have OCD inside to soem degree, so we feel we must complete an MMO even though they technically never end. My ex played World of Warcraft for 6 years and her husband left her over it. When I was with her she had been playing in Second Life for a few years. I told her she had to lessen her time or give it up if she wanted me to stay.

But near the end of the relationship she kept going back to it. Gmaing addiction is a serious problem and why many kids growing up now are overweight. They don't go outside. They only know how to sit and use their electronics all day. Its sad.

 

[crazygardenlady]

You know yourself! If the video game makes you feel bad, stop playing it because it shouldn't make you feel bad. But video games are art like books, music, paintings, etc. You can watch a horror movie, read a Stephen King novel, play Silent Hill, and listen to Rob Zombie all at once and you'll be okay because YOU know that YOU love Jesus and that he is by your side. It's those who are not so solid in their Faith, those who can be swayed and influenced at the drop of a hat, who must worry about allowing "evil" video games and other art/entertainment into their lives. As long as you are above the influence, I think there is nothing wrong with it.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

Well I guess the other issue becomes I was taught by my pastor that as christians we make excuses for whats sinful and whats not. So by saying "Its just a game" are we therefor making an excuse so we can do the sinful thing?.

Because it makes me wonder. I got over a porn addiction I use to have. So if I say "Its just porn! I still believe in God regardless!" Does this mean its ok? I'm not trying to sound stupid but it really makes me think.

I guess like we all say, you go by what feels right and stuff like that. I just wonder how much is "us" saying something is ok and how much is "God" saying its ok. Generally I will fellt guilt about something (like Porn) and will stop. What if I felt no guilt? Does that mean God is telling me its ok to look at porn? So confusing, and on I would not look at it again anyways lol.

 

[Thunder Peel]

It's all about balance. I enjoy playing video games but they're not my life and I've never missed school or work to play them. They're fun but not a major priority in my life. If you feel convicted about playing them then that's something you need to work out with God. I personally don't think He minds us playing games (or enjoying other fun hobbies) as long as they don't replace Him or cut into our time in church and in His word.

 

[Core90]

I've been a hardcore gamer since I was 3 (and yes, no life also), and have just recently began playing M rated games, when before I played stuff like Zelda and Mario and sports.
I currently own Fable 3, Resident Evil 5, Perfect Dark (XBLA version) and my friend is getting me Skyrim in February as a late Christmas gift.
Really I don't see the problem with most of these M rated games, as long as does not encourage you to follow occult and Satanic ways.

I also usually take the dark side, I did in Fable 3 after beating the game, and plan to do something similar in Skyrim.
I beleive it is alot better for me to turn on the gaming console and perform violence to pixels then to take that out on actual flesh and blood people.

However, if you feel the Holy Spirit may be leading you in another direction or if the games you play effect's your outside of the game actions, then it's time to reevaluate if you should be involved with them or not.

 

[Jezuzfreek9001]

Generally I will fellt guilt about something (like Porn) and will stop. What if I felt no guilt? Does that mean God is telling me its ok to look at porn?.

No. The Bible says in Matthew 5:28 that if you lust after someone that God counts that as adultery (Pornography is designed to arouse lust). God will never tell you something that contradicts His Word.

If you feel convicted about something, and then keep on and don't feel convicted later, that doesn't mean that God decided it was OK for you to proceed with that action. I used to believe that myself, where if I would feel convicted about something but wouldn't later that I had somehow gotten God's permission to proceed with that action.

However, what really happens is that you're hardening your heart against that conviction.

It's like an alarm clock. The first time you set it, you'll probably wake up and hear it loudly the first time it goes off. As you keep turning the alarm off and going back to sleep, you'll get to where you sleep right through the alarm clock when it goes off. The alarm is still going off, but you just trained yourself not to hear it anymore.

That's the same way it goes when you feel conviction or uneasiness about something but decide to do it anyway, you get to where you train yourself to not hear the conviction anymore. God's opinion about your action hasn't changed, but you just plugged your ears to that conviction.

I'm not trying to judge you about anything, just trying to answer your question about no longer feeling conviction about something that one might have in the past

 

[CounselorForChrist]

Oh know I thank you! With porn I did feel convicted as I got older and realized what I was doing as a christian. I haven't looked at it in a long time. Your right though, your convition does play a role, but so does knowing what is right and wrong in Gods eyes.

 

[Cabal]

I wonder how many more times in the next year we'll see this topic come up.

#searchengineisyourfriend

srsly.

We should just make a sticky thread for religious conflict/angst over playing video games

On topic:

If it bothers you to play certain games or as certain characters, don't do them. If you think the mere act of considering something like violence in an obviously non-realistic scenario / watching porn is problematic for you in a real sense, don't do it.

I'd question why you should feel bad about such things in the first place as make-believe =/= real life, but that's not really here nor there.

 

[Barricade24]

I'll tell you this kind of thing has been kind of bothering me too. I try to becareful on games I play. But I have been a gamer pretty much all my life. It used to be pretty much all I would do. I would say to myself I want more to life than just this. I want something better something to take my focus.

It has been only recently that I have been able to lower video games importantance to me. Usually I think: "Is there something more important I could be doing?" So I've had better attention with helping around the house and stuff like that.

I am still praying about this though.
On the topic of games though, I've actually played a game that made me want to do good. The game Deus Ex is very interactive. Out of curiosity
I wanted to play the game through as being as mean as possible.

When I got to certain level I decided I couldn't do it anymore I have to be nice to the people even though they are only in a game.

So if you want to do nice things to people in a game, you know something is going right.

 

[crazygardenlady]

The game Deus Ex is very interactive. Out of curiosity
I wanted to play the game through as being as mean as possible.

When I got to certain level I decided I couldn't do it anymore I have to be nice to the people even though they are only in a game.

I really like this, lol, I've been playing Deus Ex too but playing as an extremely good guy. I'm not killing anyone!

 

[The-Doctor]

I think freakazoid playing games is okay as long as you dont harm anyone else of yourself by doing so. They are just games in virtual worlds, your actions have no bearing on the real world. I have been playing Skyrim and made some choices I would not make in the real world. (I'm not likely to be joining the dark brotherhood and kill anybody any time soon, though I would like to be able to use some of the shouts like the whirlwind fury- moving fast is cool!)

Whats wrong with you playing games, its not like you are going to suddenly start making your own armour and walking down the main street carrying a broad sword (at least not a real one anyway)

Don't worry about it freakazoid, as long s you enjoy them and they dont harm anyone else enjoy...love your choice of games by the way!

 

[Tommy4Christ]

I am new to this forum, and just couldn't believe how worldly and godless many of the members are! You are all concerned about your video games, and other dead works, which is an abomination to God. Luke16-15, that which man highly esteems is an abomination to God! I send this out of love for your souls, and pray a few of you would actually repent, 2 Corinthians 7-10-11, seek the mercy of God, and put aside the foolish and vain attractions of this world, your eternal destiny depends on it!, because I am not sure any of you consider your self to be a Christian or not, or if your parents allow you to play these games, while literally millions of souls are dying and going to hell! The church is dead I am afraid, lost in these sins and vain attractions, and worldly entertainments, knowing more about their favorite video games that the word of God. Those OF the world, spend their time engulfed in these godless attractions James 4-4, says, those who love the world more than God, are adulterer's, and adulteresses, having a friendship with the world and its vain attractions is to be an enemy of God. You cannot be double minded and enter the kingdom of God, put aside childish and foolish things, seek the mercy of God in repentance, Isa 55-7, and follow Jesus on the narrow road. Luke9-23! The road is narrow indeed. Matt 7-13-14.