More Q & A
Q: Do you think that all video games are bad?
A: NO. I don't think all video games are bad. Unfortunately the most popular games in the US are bad. Grand Theft Auto IV set an entertainment industry record selling $300 million in its first 24 hours of sales. There are currently three GTA games in the top ten overall games and there is no doubt that GTA IV will be added to that list as well. Of course GTA is the extreme example but there are concerns about other popular games as well like the previous record breaking game "Halo 3" which had set an industry record in September 2007 selling $170 million in the first 24 hours.
There are a couple of important issues regarding discernment when it comes to video games. The first has to do with content. Jesus said that if we wanted to follow Him we must deny ourselves, take up a cross and follow Him. The cross means death to self. We are also called to imitate Christ which means that we should be concerned about any activity that we are sure Jesus would not participate in. The Bible says in Psalm 11:5 "The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates". Those are pretty strong words. There are many other verses in the Bible that tell us to avoid certain things. Read the following list carefully...
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" 2 Timothy 3:1-5
This list could be used to describe much of today's entertainment, yet the Bible doesn't say we should be entertained by these things but to avoid them. Ultimately it is an issue of the heart and if we truly want to follow Christ or if we are determined to live our own lives according to the world's standards.
I had mentioned that there were two issues. The second has to do with our use of time. I had said that I don't think all video games are bad but I do think that we can end up wasting a lot of our lives playing games that aren't necessarily bad. This issue takes discernment and wisdom. I heard a father share about his son who was addicted to video games so he told his son that he could only play video games equivalent to the time he spent in the Word of God. His son stopped playing video games. The top 20% of "gamers" in the US spend an average of over 5 hours per day playing video games. Even if the content of those games were not bad (that's a big "if") you have to admit that it's a lot of wasted time.
The bible says in 1 Corinthians that all Christians will experience a judgement that is not about salvation but about our works. All of our works will be tested by fire and only that which is eternal will remain. This is an important question to ask yourself... do you believe that playing video games will be works that stand the test of God's judgment and come forth as something that has an eternal reward that brings glory to God?
Lastly, you had compared playing video games with basketball, shopping or FREESTYLE BIKING. That was clever. But I disagree partly. Freestyle biking or any other hobby can become idolatry in our lives and will not stand in the judgement that tests our works. The bible does say that bodily exercise "profits a little" but spiritual growth profits more. The bible doesn't condemn exercise but puts it in the proper relation to eternal matters. I rarely ride my freestyle bike anymore because of that reason. There are things that are more important in the Christian life. I still like to ride on occasion for exercise and most importantly I continue to use my acquired skills for ministry outreach.
Use wisdom and discretion with playing video games. Go on a video game "fast" for a month and seek the Lord about this subject and spend more time with Him. I'll bet that you would think differently about this if you took that challenge. I took that challenge at 17 with video games, TV, Movies and music (the internet was not common then) and my life was changed by "unplugging" and letting the Lord speak into my life about my media habits.
I hope this is helpful to you. I know this may sound harsh but it really comes from a desire in my heart to help young people run that race that God has called you to run. Much like a coach that constantly stretches his team to excel beyond their poor habits. God has a plan for your life and I hope that you will walk in that plan in order to bring Him glory and honor and that you will one day hear those words "well done good and faithful servant" from Jesus.
A: NO. I don't think all video games are bad. Unfortunately the most popular games in the US are bad. Grand Theft Auto IV set an entertainment industry record selling $300 million in its first 24 hours of sales. There are currently three GTA games in the top ten overall games and there is no doubt that GTA IV will be added to that list as well. Of course GTA is the extreme example but there are concerns about other popular games as well like the previous record breaking game "Halo 3" which had set an industry record in September 2007 selling $170 million in the first 24 hours.
There are a couple of important issues regarding discernment when it comes to video games. The first has to do with content. Jesus said that if we wanted to follow Him we must deny ourselves, take up a cross and follow Him. The cross means death to self. We are also called to imitate Christ which means that we should be concerned about any activity that we are sure Jesus would not participate in. The Bible says in Psalm 11:5 "The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates". Those are pretty strong words. There are many other verses in the Bible that tell us to avoid certain things. Read the following list carefully...
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!" 2 Timothy 3:1-5
This list could be used to describe much of today's entertainment, yet the Bible doesn't say we should be entertained by these things but to avoid them. Ultimately it is an issue of the heart and if we truly want to follow Christ or if we are determined to live our own lives according to the world's standards.
I had mentioned that there were two issues. The second has to do with our use of time. I had said that I don't think all video games are bad but I do think that we can end up wasting a lot of our lives playing games that aren't necessarily bad. This issue takes discernment and wisdom. I heard a father share about his son who was addicted to video games so he told his son that he could only play video games equivalent to the time he spent in the Word of God. His son stopped playing video games. The top 20% of "gamers" in the US spend an average of over 5 hours per day playing video games. Even if the content of those games were not bad (that's a big "if") you have to admit that it's a lot of wasted time.
The bible says in 1 Corinthians that all Christians will experience a judgement that is not about salvation but about our works. All of our works will be tested by fire and only that which is eternal will remain. This is an important question to ask yourself... do you believe that playing video games will be works that stand the test of God's judgment and come forth as something that has an eternal reward that brings glory to God?
Lastly, you had compared playing video games with basketball, shopping or FREESTYLE BIKING. That was clever. But I disagree partly. Freestyle biking or any other hobby can become idolatry in our lives and will not stand in the judgement that tests our works. The bible does say that bodily exercise "profits a little" but spiritual growth profits more. The bible doesn't condemn exercise but puts it in the proper relation to eternal matters. I rarely ride my freestyle bike anymore because of that reason. There are things that are more important in the Christian life. I still like to ride on occasion for exercise and most importantly I continue to use my acquired skills for ministry outreach.
Use wisdom and discretion with playing video games. Go on a video game "fast" for a month and seek the Lord about this subject and spend more time with Him. I'll bet that you would think differently about this if you took that challenge. I took that challenge at 17 with video games, TV, Movies and music (the internet was not common then) and my life was changed by "unplugging" and letting the Lord speak into my life about my media habits.
I hope this is helpful to you. I know this may sound harsh but it really comes from a desire in my heart to help young people run that race that God has called you to run. Much like a coach that constantly stretches his team to excel beyond their poor habits. God has a plan for your life and I hope that you will walk in that plan in order to bring Him glory and honor and that you will one day hear those words "well done good and faithful servant" from Jesus.
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