"Should a Christian play video games?

"
Answer: Completed nearly 2000 years ago, Gods Word does not explicitly teach whether or not a
Christian should play video games. But the Bibles principles still apply today regarding the best use of
our time. When God shows us that a specific activity is controlling our lives, we should break away from it
for a time. This fast could be from food, movies, TV, music, video games, anything that distracts our
attention from knowing and loving God and serving His people. While some of these things may not be
bad in and of themselves, they become idols if they distract us from our first love (Colossians 3:5;
Revelation 2:4). Below are some principles to consider, whether the question is regarding video games,
TV, movies, or any other earthly pursuit.
1. Will video games edify or merely entertain me? To edify means to build up. Will playing video games
build up your love for God, knowledge of Him, and ministry to others? Everything is permissiblebut not
everything is beneficial. Everything is permissiblebut not everything is constructive (1 Corinthians
10:23-24; Romans 14:19). When God gives us relaxation time, we should find uplifting activities to enjoy.
Do we choose permissible over praiseworthy activities? When we have a choice between good, better,
and best, we should choose the best (Galatians 5:13-17).
2. Will playing video games obey self-will or Gods will? Gods will for His children can be summed up in
His greatest commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with
all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27). Our will has
been polluted by sin. Because we have been saved from our selfish desires, we should surrender our will
(Philippians 3:7-9). Gods will transforms our will (Psalm 143:10). Progressively, His desires for us
become our deepest desires as well.
Many people believe the will of God is boring and humiliating. They picture a monk in a lonely monastery
or a resentful church janitor. On the contrary, people who follow Gods will for their lives are the most
joyful, adventurous people ever. Reading biographies of historys heroes such Hudson Taylor, Amy
Carmichael, Corrie Ten Boom, and George Mueller will verify that. Certainly, these saints faced difficulty
from the world, their own flesh, and the devil. They may not have had much of this worlds possessions,
but God accomplished great works through them. At first, His will seems impossible and too holy to be
any fun, but God will give us the power to perform it and the desires to delight in it. I delight to do Your
will, O my God (Psalm 40:8a; see Hebrews 13:21).
3. Does the video game glorify God? Some video games glorify violence, lewdness, and dumb decisions
(e.g., Im out of the race, so Ill just wreck my car). As Christians, our activities should bring glory to God
(1 Corinthians 10:31) and help us to grow in the knowledge and grace of Christ.
4. Will playing video games result in good works? For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus
for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10; see also
Titus 2:11-14 and 1 Peter 2:15). Laziness and selfishness violate Gods purpose for usto do good
works to others (1 Corinthians 15:58; see also Galatians 6:9-10).
5. Will playing video games exhibit self-control? Many people have said that video games can become an
addiction or an obsession. There is no room in the Christian life for such things. Paul compares the
Christian life to an athlete disciplining his body so he may win the prize. Christians have a greater
motivation to live a set-apart life of self-controleternal reward in heaven (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).
6. Will playing video games redeem the time? You will give account for how you use your limited minutes.
Spending hours at a time playing a video game can hardly be called a good use of time. Be very careful,
then, how you livenot as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days
are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is (Ephesians 5:15-17). Live for
the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God (1 Peter 4:2; see also
Colossians 4:5, James 4:14, and 1 Peter 1:14-22).
7. Does it pass the test of Philippians 4:8? Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirableif anything is excellent or
praiseworthythink about such things (Philippians 4:8). When you play video games, is your mind
focused on godly or secular things?
8. Will playing video games fit in with my life purpose? Paul wrote that in the final days people would be
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God (2 Timothy 3:4). Western culture fits that description. We
love to play. Non-Christians become addicted to entertainment such as movies, sports, and music
because they do not have a purpose higher than to enjoy life before death. These amusements cannot
truly satisfy (Ecclesiastes 2:1). When Christians become addicted to the same things as non-Christians,
can we truly say that we are exhibiting the new life in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you
shine like stars in the universe (Philippians 2:15)? Or do we prove to others that we are really no different
than they are and that Christ has not made a significant difference in our lives?
Paul considered knowing, loving, and obeying God to be his highest priority. I consider everything a loss
compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all
things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ....I want to know Christ and the power of his
resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, (Philippians
3:7-10). Will playing video games be showing my love for God or my love for the things of the world? (1
John 2:15-17).
9. Will playing video games give me an eternal focus? Christians have hope of eternal rewards in heaven
if they are faithful on earth (see Matthew 6:19-21 and 1 Corinthians 3:11-16). If we focus on living for
eternity rather than the passing pleasures of earth, we will have surrendered resources, time, and hearts
for ministry (Colossians 3:1-2; 23-24). If our possessions or activities cause us to lose our eternal
rewards, of what worth are they (Luke 12:33-37)? Christians often try to serve both God and their own
desires. But Jesus clearly stated, No one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). God gives us joy
through times of work and rest (Ecclesiastes 5:19; Matthew 11:28-29; Colossians 3:23-24). We must find
that balance between labor and recreation. When we do set aside time for relaxation as Jesus did (Mark
6:31), we should choose an edifying activity.
The question is not Can I play video games? but Would video games be the best choice? Will this
edify me, show love to my neighbor, and glorify God? We are to pursue praiseworthy activities, not simply
permissible ones. However He leads you, passionately follow Him above all else. Prepare for eternity.
Every sacrifice will seem insignificant when we meet Jesus.