Christianity and gaming

[Manillien]

Hey. I haven't been a member for long, and it might be that this topic has already been brought up.. If so, please tell me where!

BTW, I'm actually fasting right now (for the first time). I started 6 hours ago and plan to do it for 24. So if you read this, please pray that it might help my Christian growth...

OK, down to business. I have been a gamer all my life, since my dad played Indiana Jones and the fate of Atlantis on his 386 with me watching. I haven't always been a Christian though, and when I became one two years ago, all my desire for gaming just went away. I felt as though I would be misusing time that God had given me, spending it on myself and my own desires, when I could be using it for the good of His kingdom. (Not to say that you can't do stuff for God that you like doing, but I don't see how gaming will do any good!)

That sentiment lasted for about six months. Then i tried Oblivion, and naturally began gaming again. For the last year and a half, I have been gaming more or less. However, with gaming came a lessening in time spent with God and desire to do His will. I was still a Christian, of course, and I prayed and stuff, but the joy I felt when I first became a Christian, the joy of devoting your whole life to God, was gone.

Now, various events have made this joy return once more. I again feel that I shouldn't be gaming, and I don't have that strong a desire for it either. I again take joy in being with God, praying to him, just being his child, and doing what He wants me to do.

However, I fear that it won't last this time either. I feel that I need a definitive stance on gaming. For example, when Spore comes out, I am going to want to play it. It's like I have planned to forsake God at that time.

I have seen that there are gamers here on CAA, so I was wondering if some of you guys have any advice/thoughts? Do you think gaming is wrong for a Christian? Are you facing the same struggle as I am? Or are you comfortable with gaming? If so, how and why?

Thanks in advance!

[Danderson]

Welcome to the CAA....

About the whole gaming thing, I was once a really big gamer as well.....Though I started with Jumpstart educational games, I quickly moved from that to NASCAR racing and various star wars and N64 games (back in the day when u weren't cool unless u have an n64 or a playstation....man I feel old).....Never was really into fps games....still not big on those, but anywhoo.....

Back then my walk with the Lord wasn't really strong (but hey I was only a kid), and now that I look back on that I realise that it (gaming) was one of the bigger things I was living for...and it really left me wanting something more...Eventually, as I came of age, realised things needed to change......My interests were also growing in other areas: video editing to be precise, and after awhile I had become more into that and gaming really became nothing more then something to do when I was bored....Though, I should also mention that God really took ahold of my heart at that time, and it was then that I realised I could use the time I was given to start developing these skills (in vid editing that) he had given me...and becuase of that I'm moving forward in the field of interest which I love....And we ended up selling the n64 for gamecube and suddenly lost interest, and I upgraded to a mac for editing (that and I'm a space-a-holic) leavin the pc to my brother for his games....

So, do I think gaming is wrong as a Christian? No, not really. For a quick hour break it's good to take a break and have some fun, but if that game starts biting away at everything else in ur life that's when it can really burn u.....Also, if u feel uncomfortable while play, as the game plot goes against ur convictions and brings out ur darker side too much (otherwise known as "the old self"), then u'd probably be better finding urself another game or just stopping altogether and rethink ur life.....and this is when I get really tired.....DARN U DAYLIGHT SAVINGS!!!!

On the other hand, if ur unsaved (and even saved) friends play alot of halo or such and it would be a good way to get to know them (and possibly influence them for Christ) then those are some of the better parts about gaming....especially if it's a 4 person consle game party!!! Love those.....

Hope this helps....

[Kairi]

I think that gaming, like most other things, is just fine as long as you do it in moderation. Even everyday things like eating food can be bad for you if you do it too much, so finding a balance is the key.

My brother and I had the same problem when we were younger and thought we were the coolest kids in the neighborhood because we had our own N64... but the truth was, we wasted so much time playing that thing. (I blame Harvest Moon and Banjo-Tooie for that. XD) As we've gotten older, though, we've started working harder to make sure the important things -- including our time devoted to God -- come before anything else, especially the stuff we simply do for fun.

So yeah, I really doubt it's necessary for you to give up gaming for good. Just pray about it and try to remember to use your time wisely... God and your responsibilities should come first, then when you have a break, there's your green light for gaming!

(I basically just repeated everything I've had to listen to from my mom about this subject, but oh well. XD)

[Shao Feng-Li]

There's nothing wrong with gaming. Board games would have to be wrong. There might be something wrong about playing a certain game, though. You just have to use moderation, as with all things. You enjoy games, so go ahead and enjoy them. But don't abuse it.

Really, what's the difference between watching a 2 hour movie or playing a game for two hours? Moderation is key I think.

[Manillien]

Thanks for your answers...

Danderson: I see your point about doing it as long as it doesn't interfere with "God-stuff". But here lies my problem, I think. Aren't we supposed to work against the goal of doing "God-stuff" all the time? Granted, no one can actually do it, but I feel that we are admonished to "constantly work on our salvation".. (isn't that in the Bible somewhere?) I just feel very...slothy playing games, if you get my meaning...

Kairi: Moderation in all things are good, I agree. However, we need food to live. We don't need gaming to live, biologically (perhaps psychologically )..
I mean, one could then use a similar argument, to put it poignantly, that watching porn is OK as long as you do it in moderation... right? Where is my logic flawed here?

Shao Feng-Li: I don't agree that board games would be as bad as console or pc gaming. I mean, board games you have to play with others. At least then you have an opportunity to evangelize or whatever. You can play pc games all by yourself, bringing no benefit to others whatsoever! I agree that watching a two-hour movie isn't all that different, so I guess this discussion applies to that as well...

I really don't mean to be difficult, I just need to get these things sorted out. I thank you all for your answers...

[termyt]

A couple of things have jumped out at me.

The first is the change you undertake when you become a follower of Christ . It's a life changing event. It is very good and healthy in some cases for young Christians to have less desire the for things that filled their lives before Christ. A Christian's life is naturally centered on Christ, which means a complete rearrangement of priorities. The loss of desire is usually temporary, though, and it is often OK to allow those things back into your life so long as they assume their proper place.

It does not surprise me in the least that, as a new Christian, you had no desire for gaming for a while. Christ had just taken center stage, so everything else had to move back and readjust. You had to do a lot of study and just plain thinking as your point of view changed - meaning less time for other, more frivolous activities.

You are now in a serious relationship with Christ, though. As in marriage, the honeymoon does not last forever. The feelings you have in relation to Christ are going to change. It's a natural part of any relationship - family, friend, spouse, child, anything. The euphoric joy you felt when you first became a Christian will not be with you always. It will come and go as you walk with Christ. There will be other times when you are confused, doubtful, or just plain mad at Him, too. The point of being a Christian is to continue your walk with Him regardless of the circumstances, simply doing your best.

If gaming, or anything (or anyone) else, comes between you and Christ, then either that person or thing must take a back seat or Christ will. This is important. Nothing is worth having if it means losing Christ. Nothing. Not a game, not your parents, not your spouse or child. Nothing matters if you do not have Christ.

"If Indiana Jones causes you to sin, throw it away. For it is better to go into heaven without knowing the Fate of Atlantis than to have saved Atlantis and be thrown into Hell."

I think that's in Matthew 18 or someplace like that.

However, gaming itself is not evil. We need Christian gamers. We need people who can speak authoritatively about games to a friend or on a forum and speak authoritatively on the love and nature of Christ as well. Even if you don't spend a lot of time talking about games, it's OK to have "me time." We all need to rest and relax.

Everything you do should be done for the glory of God, but that does not mean that he only things we can do are worship and read the Bible. If that were true, then we'd all spend our time standing on street corners shouting "Repent for the end is near" while the rest of the world ignored us. We can also glorify God by taking care of our own needs - be they physical or emotional. Gaming can be an excellent method of relaxation and self-examination.

So, if you feel like you need to set aside gaming, then do it. You do not need gaming. You especially do not want gaming if it competes with Christ. However, if gaming takes its proper place in your life - as a form of entertainment and potential witness and outreach, then it is not a problem to continue gaming.

[Manillien]

Ugghh...last hour of fasting...getting hungry..

Thanks for your reply termyt, it really was helpful.. And

"If Indiana Jones causes you to sin, throw it away. For it is better to go into heaven without knowing the Fate of Atlantis than to have saved Atlantis and be thrown into Hell."

Ha! That's really funny, and it actually takes into account one of the lures of gaming, for me at least: I always have to know how it ends! I have to know the fate of Atlantis. I have to explore every aspect of Oblivion, even if it means playing it a hundred times! I think this is why I have to be careful with gaming; My curiosity becomes an obsession.

I want to say that you're wrong about my feelings for Christ, that they will change, because now I have a great time with Him, and I'm like "Ok, it has been this way before, and I lost it, but I've learned from that - now I'll know what to do to keep this feeling". But seeing as you're older and probably a lot more experienced than me, then you're probably right. I won't let that get me down though!

But thanks a lot, I will try to make gaming a recreational thing instead of an explorational one... because the gaming industry is going to spout out new stuff all the time, and there's no point in exploring fictional worlds anyway!
And if it doesn't work out, if I can't control it, I guess I'll have to stop gaming for good.

Thank you everyone for your answers and suggestions... It's good to be a part of a Christian community.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

We either grow or fall when the dry times in our faith in God descend on us. You can either turn to God in those times, or reject him.
Gaming is great but like the others have said, don't let it come before God.

[Gabriel 9.0]

Nowhere in the Bible does it say it is a sin to play a video game.
Now some games that have offensive content in them like sexual themes should never be played. Keep in mind that God created everything even video games. And that Lucifer his enemy tries to pervert and tamper with everything that is of God.

[ShiroiHikari]

Well, it sounds to me like you've already made your mind up. For most, video games are harmless fun. If, for whatever reason, you feel that you shouldn't be playing them, then don't. Everybody's convictions are different, however.

[Radical Dreamer]

Justice, can we really speak of such in this world...when we look at the unfairness just in what people are born into, can we really believe that God will set everything right in the future. It's easy to say when times are nice, but in harsher times jealousy can cloud your vision.

Ignoring the rest of the post for now because I'm pressed for time, I'd be careful wording things this way. God brings people into the world for a reason, regardless of their situations, and He will use their lives for good, for His purpose.

Also, I'd just like to make a preliminary statement of "keep things civil in this thread;" I've seen this kind of thing get out of hand before, and I don't want it to happen here. Not that anyone has been uncivil, just saying before anyone decides to be. XD

[HiddenWoodchuck]

Well, it sounds to me like you've already made your mind up. For most, video games are harmless fun. If, for whatever reason, you feel that you shouldn't be playing them, then don't. Everybody's convictions are different, however.

This is my viewpoint as well... I don't see anything wrong with gaming... unless you eat, sleep a breathe it, like some WOW players or something, then that is a problem IMO.

[Kaligraphic]

Really, the question isn't whether gaming is okay in general, because God has nothing against it, and even uses it for His purposes. The question you are looking to have answered is whether it is okay for you.

Many times people fall into one of two traps (when not falling into both) - either we say that something is okay because God doesn't have anything against it in general, and try to apply that to a specific situation without asking God first (e.g. drinking alcohol isn't a sin in general, but don't offer it to an alcoholic), or we try to take God's word to us and apply it generally (e.g. God has us avoiding poker (or whatever), so we tell everybody we know that they need to abstain from it too. We take it too far.)

The thing is, neither a general understanding of God, nor the instruction of God to someone else can tell you what you want to know. You have to listen to what God is telling you personally. If you feel like God is telling you not to play games, either totally or in part, then you should listen to that. After all, the instructions that you need to obey are those given to you, not those given to somebody else.


I will say, though, that if you find yourself spending more time playing games than you would say is healthy, it can be good to enforce a limit. Moderation in all things, as the saying goes. If playing games gets in the way of your devotion to God, well, you need God more than you need games. Don't let anything get in the way of your devotion to God.