rebelling against low expectations

Should Christian teens play violent video games?

S

SETH WRITES: Should we as Christians play video games that are deemed violent (e.g., Call of Duty, Halo, Battlefield, etc.)? Should we even spend our time on video games at all?

Video games aren’t reality, I know, and may or may not affect our real-life decisions, but they are a significant and demanding part of our society today. There are so many genres in the video game industry, and sometimes it’s hard to discern whether certain video games are “bad” or “good.”

The Bible tells us not to waste our time, and really, ANY type of video game, “bad” or “good”, is just a waste of time, is it not? So should Christians even play video games?


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are submitted by real rebelutionaries who are looking for godly answers to tough questions and lively conversation with other young adults. You can join the conversation by commenting below. If you'd like to submit your own discussion question, email us at [email protected].

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  • I don’t think video games are necessarily bad; there’s a difference between wasting time and taking a break. Everyone, no matter how much they do for God, needs to take a break every once in a while. Wasting time is making your breaks too long and not getting anything done as a result. As for violent video games, I think it depends a lot on the person. If you find yourself dwelling on the violence or violent attitudes, especially when you’re not even playing the game, beware.

    Is playing violent video games (or video games in general) hindering you from glorifying God with your life? If so, it’s worth reducing or eliminating those distractions from God. If not, it’s probably fine. I think a good way to judge this is to ask your friends; in some cases, they might have more insight into your life than you have yourself.

    • This is pretty much what I was gonna say. Video games in themselves are not necessarily good or bad, just like music and movies. But if they start to negatively affect our emotions and ability to do God’s work, then there is a serious problem. I have no problem playing a game in my free time, just as long everything else that’s more important has been taken care of first. Also, people have to make their own decisions as to what content they will experience (blood, violence, etc.) just like they have to with movies. Just as long as it doesn’t hinder you from serving God, then I think it’s fine.

  • Hi Seth! Good question. My family doesn’t really play video games, just because we aren’t really into them, but it’s not a forbidden thing. I don’t think video games are “wrong”; saying all video games are a waste of time is similar to saying all movies are a waste of time. I don’t believe that to be true. Yes, some popular games are far too violent, and playing them can lead to problems. However, I wouldn’t say all video games should be banned.

  • Should christian teens play violent video games?? Nope! 🙂

    Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ KJV)

  • Let me just say that our family never bought a video game console and I’m sure not off worse than everyone else. Sometimes I play Madden on the Xbox or Wii Sports at someone else’s house but that’s about it. I think that by and large they’re a waste of time, especially in light of the fact of all the time we spend on the internet (like me right now 🙂

  • Okay, I’m a girl who doesn’t like video games. I’d much rather pick up a book. BUT I have several guy friends and have learned a little bit about these violet video games: They’re reckless.
    I second @gbingo:disqus’s scripture reference. I think that these video games should be filtered through that verse.

  • I think that Christians should not play, or even watch, those kinds of games. But as for a waste of time? I don’t think video games are completely a waste of time. If you think that the definition of a waste of time is “not doing any work,” then you’re mistaken. God also created us to enjoy things, not only to work non-stop. Why else would we have the sensation of “having fun”? I draw the line though when it becomes an obsession. It’s wrong to spend all your time thinking about one thing (unless it’s God, but I don’t know anyone who does that), because then it becomes the driving force of your life. Does that make sense?

  • I don’t play video games much, but my younger brother plays a lot and it’s when he’s on his computer that he’s also talking to his friends. Also, I don’t think that the amount of violence should be the sole measure of whether or not it’s OK to play, some of the greatest movies ever made are also the most violent. My little bro also built his computer from parts, it was and is a really cool project that he’s really proud of. I don’t know if that helps at all, but maybe we need more standards than just “violent.”

  • I play video games quite a bit. I wouldn’t put a big sign on video games saying “DON’T PLAY.” Not all video games are bad, but they’re not good either. I try to stay away from blood and gore games, because the tend to use inappropriate language. But some games, like Mario games, are just fun for playing with family and friends. Video games can help you have a good time with family, or they can distract you from God. They tend to do the latter, so I usually play with family for a half-hour to an hour. That is enough time to enjoy playing with your family, but not distract you from other things.

    • Yes you’re right, but even some of the Mario games anymore (e.g., Sunshine, Bowser’s Inside Story) involve mystical and dark powers. Granted, it is portrayed as “good” vs “evil”, and the whole game isn’t always centered around those aspects, but the only real good is God and everything involving Him, and the only real evil is Satan and everything involving him. I don’t know… Maybe I’m being too cynical. Please feel free to correct me if you wish!! 🙂

      • Hmm, I never thought about it that way. However, lots of great books and movies also have that intense “good vs evil” that we can always direct back to God. Would we still watch and love Lord of the Rings or Narnia if we hadn’t been told about the Christian elements in them? If the Mario producers were Christians and had directly said that the mystical powers were supposed to relate back to the battle between God and Satan, would Christians immediately see the Mario games in a new way? Are we only allowed to see God in books/movies/video games when the producers tell us that God is supposed to be there? It’s funny, but if you look close enough, you’ll find that every story on the face of the earth can relate back to the Bible or a Bible character in some way. And even if there’s no good side to it, at least you’ll have something new to pray about!

        • I might add that games like certain Mario games out there (and I’ll go ahead and include Disney movies in this) do often represent good vs. evil, but the way that you, the player (or in the case of a movie, the main character) has to defeat evil is by their/your own power. “Believe in yourself” seems to be the prominent message. Not “God will overcome evil.” If a non-believer (let alone a believer) plays a game and doesn’t see the message of God overcoming evil, then wouldn’t it be safe to say that the game’s or movie’s creators are not trying to portray it as such?

        • I found the Christian elements in, “The Chronicles of Narnia” before anyone told me that they were there. The parallels were rather unmistakable to me, that’s perhaps the biggest reason why I love it so much. It helped me understand God’s love and the Bible better by putting them into a new perspective. There was another series I read that I found parallels to the Bible in, before I knew it was supposed to be allegorical. Many books and movies do have a good vs. evil theme that can be reminiscent of the Bible. It’s the ones where there appears to be no clear line between good and evil, or that paint a dark sort of reality where evil always triumphs or is stronger than good, that I try to avoid.

    • Language is probably the number-one reason why I don’t like playing video-games. I play Halo with my younger brother, but I wince every time I hear a four-letter word. Which destroys my aim, which kills me. But anyway, the violence doesn’t get to me as much as the language does.

  • I don’t play video games (no particular moral reason for that, I just don’t), but I thought this story I read somewhere might add another perspective.

    A woman bought her son a video game. The son put it in the TV/computer and had a look. When he told his mum he didn’t want it, she asked why. “I don’t want to spend my time killing people,” he replied, “even if it’s in a game.”
    Of course, non-violent games are just like watching TV, reading a book or any other hobbies–fine unless it becomes an obsession.

  • The reason I ask this question is because I know a few people who have no problem with playing war games. Is this just another matter of drawing the line however you are convicted and wherever you see fit, or is there actually some clear direction in the Bible? I believe that the subject of “good”, “bad”, and “ok” video games shouldn’t be a “grey area”, because there IS guidance in the Bible! May I refer you to Grant’s verse reference (Philippians 4:8)? 🙂 Do any of you have any other references that could be applied in this instance?

  • No. Unless it is is God honoring: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. That’s pretty much the bottom line. So, are those pure? Lovely? And if Jesus were with you, would you play them? Would He play them?

  • I enjoy playing video games with my siblings occasionally, or even just playing on my phone against friends. Video games can be a fun way to spend time with your family and friends, just like playing a board game or watching a movie. However, some games I can’t stand to watch. Killing people, even pixelated people deemed the “enemy”, is sickening. Not because I really care about the virtual armies, but because stuff like that actually happens. It’s happening now, all over the world. Men and women with families and lives and dreams and beliefs are being killed because they’re supposedly “the enemy”. The persecutors are also “the enemy”, but they have families and lives and dreams and beliefs as well. God loves all of them, and hurts him to see the people he designed so carefully turn against each other.

    I don’t think that video games are a total waste of time, as long as it’s usually with other people, and as long as you’re not dedicating every moment you have to them.

          • Okay; probably some of my comment was because I have no clue what your talking about. 🙂

          • Haha yup! Hey, it’s AWESOME that you don’t know what LOTR is imo. =)

            I don’t know that much about it, but LOTR is a fantasy book series by J.R.R. Tolkien that was turned into a movie trilogy. It’s (supposedly) got some Christian elements throughout it (like Narnia) but I could never find them lol. It’s got a whole bunch of black magic and creepy creatures and stuff – I’ve only seen the first movie, and all I remember is strange, creepy stuff lol. A lot of Christians say it’s really good (many of my friends included so no offense to anyone) but I could take it or leave it, honestly. =)

          • Haha okay. I’m not missing anything.
            What is Narnia?

            Just kidding, I know about Narnia!!!!

          • My first thought was, “How does Ethan not know about Narnia?!” Then I saw the rest…

          • Well, I can see the magic you’re talking about, but… black magic? I mean, the bad guys use black magic, but you don’t see that much. (And this is coming from someone who doesn’t watch practically anything with magic in it — basically I’ve seen Frozen, Narnia, Tangled, LOTR, and a couple of random kids’ movies with magic.)
            Not to try and make you change your mind, but I think it’d be worth a second try… if you ever wanted. It’s my all-time favorite movie series, mostly because of the Christian undertones (basic good vs. evil, Christian morals and worldview espoused throughout). It is different from Narnia; I think Narnia was more allegorical, even if it wasn’t supposed to be. Tolkien was determined not to use story ideas from Christianity. Nevertheless, it is a great movie series.
            How old were you when you watched the first movie? Just curious…

          • *Josh is going through inbox and deleting emails. Josh realizes he never answered this comment. Josh feels guilty. Josh answers comment. 😉 Ummm I think I was 13 or 14. =P

          • OH YEAH!!!! Subscribing to just that one thread would do it. smacks himself for brain failure

          • Pretty much what Josh said, but ten thousand times cooler! The story is basically about defeating the evil powers of the world, and it’s all set in a fantasy land called Middle-earth. There’s heroic battles, intriguing characters, exciting adventures, and powerful stories. The Christian aspect comes in with a group of nine unlikely heroes called upon to set out to destroy the dark forces of the world. Much like us, they make mistakes. They lose some fights. They mourn, they break, they begin to think it’s hopeless. But they fight on, and in the end, they win. As one of the actors summed it up, “No matter how bad things are, no matter how much evil there is in this world, there is always some good worth fighting for, worth standing up for, and worth some effort in carrying on.”

            It’s hard to explain, but it’s just amazing in every way. You should watch it.

          • Hmmm. Maybe when I have a bunch of free time, and am not working on things like Revive…..which by the way, is making progress…

          • Well…yes…we have some bumps though. The framework is mostly done, just incorporating that with the new… I can’t say any more…yet.
            🙂

          • And @Ethan__H:disqus @programguy:disqus thank you guys for working so hard on Revive. 🙂

          • THE TEST
            Okay, super sleuth, I will tell you IF you can find out where we are making the site. It is up and running, sort of. You will know it when you see it.
            🙂

          • BWAHAHAHAH I’ve already been there b4 you even said that hehehe you’ll
            never know how (ok putting it as your website on your profile might have
            been a giveaway) but I couldn’t get in at the time bc it required a username/password. :-/ Does that pass? 😉

          • Haha. Good eye!!! I put that there for a day or so, I think. Google won’t help you, this time!
            Doesn’t pass.
            🙂

          • So… what do you think of Boromir? Was he a good addition to the Fellowship, or should they have left him in Rivendell? It’s a running debate between my brother and my sister and I, so I wonder what y’all think of him.

          • I liked Boromir, I think he was a good balance to all the other heroic characters. Because you had Gandalf, the sort-of-powerful wizard of knowledge, the hobbits, brave and fun, Aragorn, calm and kingly, Legolas, the elf (the only way I know how to describe him :P), and Boromir, the man who saved his kingdom, made mistakes, and owned up to them. I think he was a very realistic character. Plus, he disagreed with his cowardly midget of a father multiple times, which is a few extra points in his favor.

          • His cowardly midget of a father… that is the best description I think I’ve ever seen of him! I’ll have to remember that 🙂
            Yes, I hadn’t thought about that but he’s the most human character in there — probably because he’s a Man, come to think of it!

          • I like Boromir because we can all relate to him. He messed up, but later realized his faults. I don’t really like the actor though 😛

          • I feel the same way about the actor… Faramir was pretty good though, I think.

          • I don’t have the time, need, or want to watch it. If I am going to watch something, I want it to be convicting, challenging, or uplifting. The last movie I saw was God’s Not Dead, and I have never been inside a movie theater. 🙂

          • You’ve been to Sight and Sound, like, frequently?! I was there once with friends, and I would LOVE to go there again. It was indeed a stunning performance. I’m thinking that if we move out near MO, I’ve got to take my family there sometime.
            I saw Moses (in PA). Which ones have you seen?

          • Yeah. We have some friends who work there, so sometimes they give us extra tickets. 🙂 We’ve seen Noah, Jonah, Joseph, and the Christmas one. They’re awesome!!!

          • Since y’all are talking about LOTR, has anyone seen the last Hobbit? Battle Of The Five Armies? It’s really good!

          • Battle of the Five Armies was awesome! I bawled my eyes out at the end. I don’t think The Hobbit will ever compare to LOTR, but it’s still pretty awesome. :))

          • I’m not the only one who cried? Good 🙂 I liked the movie a lot! I got to watch it in theaters with some cousins and my brother who are fellow LOTR nuts 🙂

          • Who dies? I heard someone dies at the end, who doesn’t die in the book. I’m going to be really unhappy if it’s someone I really like. Who is it?

          • I don’t remember anyone else dying besides those who die in the book… but I could just be forgetting. They changed the deaths up a lot, though.

          • That is really sad. Now I don’t think I want to see it… I like how they died (if it’s not morbid to like how somebody dies); it was somehow fitting to their characters, you know?

          • Yeah, I totally get it! I don’t want to spoil it for you, but it was a bit disappointing. The deaths were extremely emotional, though, so I guess they weren’t too bad.

        • I can say, “Ten Thousand” and “They are going to die!” in Elvish. But that’s just because of watching The Two Towers . I don’t know how to spell them.

          • Haha, good job!!! I’m sure those two phrases will serve you well in everyday life.

          • Hahaha 🙂 I could probably say them too, if I thought about it… I once tried to memorize one of the Elvish poems in the book, but I didn’t get very far.

        • Hey that’s really cool! How funny that I just watched The Fellowship of the Ring Extended Edition with a bunch of my friends for the first time. Have you read the books? Do you like reading?

          • Yeah, the extended edition is awesome. XD I can’t imagine life without reading! Though I’ll admit, I’ve been stuck on the first chapter of Two Towers for a few months now. The books aren’t as exciting as the movies for me, but I’ve heard that the adventure picks up later in the book. Have you read them?

          • I did marathon! Read all three back-to-back. It is true that up to the middle of The Two Towers it can be a little slow. But for me, it helped having seen the movies before hand, since it gave me better visuals for what I was reading. But anyway, I loved them all! What other books do you read?

          • Awesome! Guess I’ll just have to keep pushing through it, then. 😛 Well, my favorite series at the moment is Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive. Only two books are published so far, and it’s driving me crazy not knowing what happens next!!!! The setting of the story is similar to Narnia and LOTR, with a fantasy land and different races and a quest to defeat the dark powers of the world. The next book comes out in 2016.

          • Well for fantasy, LOTR and Narnia are definitely favorites. I’ve also enjoyed The Kingdom Series by Chuck Black, as well as the Knights of Arrethtrae, which takes place in the same world. They are both in medieval settings, while the Kingdom Series is actually a biblical allegory. I actually prefer thrillers and sci-fi to fantasy usually. Things like Star Wars and Ted Dekker novels. Have you ever read any of those?

          • Hmm, those don’t sound familiar. New things to look up at the library! 😀 I’ve seen the Star Wars movies, and I started reading one of the original books. Isn’t there a lot of them?

  • I believe it all comes down to the overall message the game is sending, violent or not.

    For example, Call of Duty portrays war as graphic, but more or less, fun

    That’s a very dangerous mindset to have. Whether you realize it or not, what you do for entertainment, affects you like what you eat and drink.

    Sure, one piece of a greasy burger won’t kill you, but nevertheless, it does drain you.

    On the other hand, some things are so poisonous, that it can cripple you or even kill you. Like the Elephant Ear plant.

    Things that could hurt you over time by giving you the wrong mindset, are like the games Call of Duty and Halo. They not only tell you the killing people is fun, but also that war is fun. But that’s messed up. Watch the first part of Saving Private Ryan. And then imagine the real deal? I don’t think war is fun. In fact, it’s utter terror.

    Then there are things that scar you for life. For example, if you were to see a graphic “romantic” scene where nothing is hidden, that would not be something that’s easily forgotten. Even if the movie ends up with the conclusion that immorality is bad, but you have to walk through a mile of flesh to get to that conclusion, it’s a bad movie – or in this case, video game.

    I think you have to be careful not to become paranoid and shun the whole world. (People will missuse the verse from Proverbs that says, “Flee from all kinds of evil” to support total isolation), but we have to continually ask and listen for those uncomfortable feelings about what we do. If you asked this because you are starting to feel uncomfortable playing violent video games, I would think that that’s the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart, my friend. It’s up to you to respond.

  • I think that the real problem with video games is that we don’t suffer the consequences of actually killing people. In reality when you kill people, you start a perpetual cycle of bitterness, hatred and having to cope with taking a precious life. When this reality is somewhat demeaned then you begin to become desensitized and you start to want the real thing.
    I also think that people don’t become violent murderers just because they play video games. Many other factors come in like disconnect with family, loosing a loved one, and mental diseases. Not to say that violence should be permitted because of these reasons, but because we have to understand why people turn to video games as a way to find fulfillment, even though they will turn away feeling empty.

    • Very true, Kate. While video games do not make murderers, there is a STACK of scientific evidence that playing violent video games contributes to violent behaviour. (I’ll give examples/references if anyone wants.)

      • Oh yeah. I don’t disagree with that. I understand how violent video games contribute to violent behavior. It’s just that the Sandy Hook school shooting happened not only because a person was playing video games but also because the shooter didn’t have a father and was in disconnect with the rest of his family. I’m just saying that there are more factors to why people become violent. Thanks for you thoughts (:

        • Oh, I was agreeing with you, not disagreeing! My comment was simply highlighting and expanding on a part of your comment (the idea that violent video games contribute to violent behaviour) that I particularly liked. I also agree with what you say about other factors contributing as well – that’s definitely a huge part.

          • Yeah! Thanks so much. I am not a great writer, it’s hard for me to be clear in my ideas.

          • Well, your first comment up there was certainly well written! Very concise and made a great point. 🙂

            P.S. I just realised you’re pretty new here, at least to the discussion comments section. Welcome, it’s great to have you! 😀

          • Thanks! I joined last night its really amazing connecting with people who are passionate about serving Him.

        • Well, I’ll quote my psychology textbook, which provides many examples:
          “One study (Ballard and Wiest, 1998) observed a rising level of arousal and feelings of hostility in college men as they played ‘Mortal Kombat.’ Other studies have found that video games can prime aggressive thoughts and increase aggression. Consider this report from Craig Anderson and Karen Dill (2000): University men who have spent the most hours playing violent video games tend to be the most physically aggressive (for example, to acknowledge having hit or attacked someone else). In one experiment, people randomly assigned to play a game involving bloody murders with groaning victims (rather than to play non-violent ‘Myst’) became more hostile. On a follow up task, they also were more likely to blast intense noise at a fellow student. Those with extensive experience in violent video gaming also display desensitization to violent images, as shown by blunted brain responses (Bartholow et al., 2006). Studies of young adolescents by Douglas Gentile and his co-researchers (2004; 2007) further reveal that kids who play a lot of violent video games see the world as more hostile, get into more arguments and fights, and get worse grades (those hours aren’t spent studying.” ~ ‘Psychology’ by David Meyers (2010). 9th Edition. Pg 704. Note: he also goes on to explain that these phenomenon are not simply because hostile kids are drawn to these video games, and gives supporting evidence.

  • You guys have all given lots of awesome thoughts on violent video games, so I’ll just focus on the ‘all video games’ bit.

    I wouldn’t say all video games are a waste time. Are board games a waste of time? Books? I don’t think so. So I reckon that, used in moderation, video games can be fine. I enjoy a few games of Wii Sport when we’re at our grandparent’s (we don’t actually have a video games player, which I’m fine with), or a round of Mario Cart with the kids at church before we start the Kid’s Church program. As I said, moderation is key. If it’s an obsession, or if you spend all your free time on it, as opposed to balancing it with things like board games and books, that’s not good. Video games should be kept as a free-time activity, not a daily priority or anything.

    • I agree that they aren’t necessarily a waste of time. Video games just have a really bad reputation for wasting time, because it’s really easy to get absorbed by them. But many video games are just the next generation of board games, and can be enjoyed with family and friends, like you said, in moderation. 🙂

  • Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. It’s a good standard by which to judge things. It’s not wrong to relax sometimes but when it’s just escapism or is becoming an idol you gotta panic. Kinda applies to all pastimes really…

  • I think that if it causes you to sin throw it out.

    A second thought is limit your time. I used to be addicted to social media. For me, I knew I had to get rid of it – it was such a huge distraction. But maybe you can limit yourself to one round a day or only playing on the weekends or once your homework is done or for 30 minutes a day, tops.

  • I guess when you’re buying a video game and you have any question about whether it’s “bad” you ask yourself why its bad. It can only harm you if you allow it to. This is true for anything, things can only do damage to you if you give it the power. However, if you know this game could do something like give you bad thoughts, language or even things like nightmares, you don’t really need to test this theory of power. You should just stay away from that particular game.

    I think its okay for Christians to play video games. There’s nothing wrong with a little bit as long as it doesn’t become an obsession. The only time I say it would cross the line is if it restrains you from your relationship with God. If it becomes more important then that’s a bad thing and it should be cut out of your life. (As well as anything else keeping you from God). But overall, video games are meant to be fun.

  • We should never become legalistic in our view of entertainment forms. But if any of them elevates violence, immorality of any kind, coarse language, we are to flee from them. Some people feel the freedom to watch or participate in questionable activities as long as there is a screen there. But if that screen was removed, would you allow that entertainment in your home?

  • I think that we as Christians should guard our eyes and our ears from what we see and hear, so playing video games full of bad language and violence should definitely be “no way”! Our family have chosen not to own a TV and we don’t watch stuff or play computer games very much, either, because we enjoy doing other activities instead, eg. playing outdoors, writing stories, etc because we find them more wholesome. Some questions you can ask yourself before sitting down to play a video game is: “Is playing this game glorifying Jesus?” and “Would Jesus play this game?”
    Hope this helps!

  • I personally don’t think we should spend a lot of time playing video games because their is so much more out their that we could be doing! i don’t necessarily think them bad just a waste of time! and that’s just my opinion 🙂 But i do play video games occasionally with my two older brothers! That’s always fun!!
    ~Madeleine

  • One thing We should remeber is that Playing Video Games Rarely accomplishes anything substantial. That aside, I think Video Games can (Sometimes) Be great ways to spend time with people. Of course there are plenty of other things that are good ways to spend time with people, so in the end it is really about two different things: What are your motives, and is it glorifying God? Sometimes a video game can be a way to spend time with someone, or to take a break from something. But a lot of the time we play games to play games. Hopefully that makes sense!!

    • Very true! While I have never played video games, one of my best friends used it as a method to socialize with other people. He would invite other families over to play together, and made some of his deepest friendships that way.

  • Surely not, especially if they encourage immorality. Killing even in video games is still wrong, and it teaches kids how to be violent and destructive. Violent video games do not honor God, and that’s what we want to do. We are to honor God in everything, from games, places we go, schoolwork, etc..

      • Haha!! Why thank you! 🙂 I love your name too!! The initial for my last name is S. too!! Are we long lost sisters!!?

          • Not really any besides The Rebelution, but mostly because I haven’t found any good ones. What about you?

          • Along with the Rebelution, my Bestie’s blog: kidsofcharacter.com/emily, Lies Young Women Believe: liesyoungwomenbelieve.com, and Be Malleable: bemalleable.wordpress.com. You should check them out sometime. Oh, and there’s this other blog I know about but haven’t really had a chance to read called Denied Self :http://deniedself.com

  • So I have a question for all of you who say that playing video games is a waste of time, that we could be doing more: how does that differ from playing basketball, fishing, etc.? I’m not trying to justify playing video games in the least, because I don’t even own one, much less know much about them, I’m just curious as to how playing them is a waste of our time, but how a lot of the other things we do aren’t, at least in our own opinions.

    • Well, playing basketball is better for your health and your physical fitness, fishing is an outdoor activity that is much more wholesome and productive than playing video games, and they both can help you learn life skills. Video games require you to sit and stare at a screen. They do require brain activity, so it’s not like you’re doing absolutely NOTHING. But that’s just my opinion. A (good) video game can be categorized as recreation, I think. But it’s less sociable recreation unless, of course, you do it with others (online multiplayer doesn’t count 😉). What do you all think?

      • I meant that as more of an example, I can see a benefit to both basketball and fishing. I meant how are those things less of a time-waster in most people’s eyes than video games? Both can be argued for, but they’re both a waste of time from an eternal perspective, if that’s what people are arguing for by not playing video games.

        • Oh! Yes, excellent point! Yeah, you’re right. From an eternal perspective, neither are very profitable in and of themselves. From an earthly perspective, the outdoor and physical activities are more profitable than video games. That’s just what I think, though. 🙂

    • Love the profile pic, defyingdepravity!

      I don’t see any difference. I think our society, and us as teens particularly, tend to waste an enormous amount of time. But we shouldn’t pick on video games as the problem. Video games tend to be chosen since they’re famous for teens burning an enormous amount of time on them. But they’re no different from any other hobby we waste time on, in my opinion.

      I once took part in a youth program as an assistant leader that spent most of the sessions targeting video games. I remember thinking how stupid it was that so many of us as leaders would hypocritically criticize kids wasting time on video games only to turn around and go waste time on our cell phones, or computers, or whatever happened to interest us other than video games.

      Your question makes a good point. Let’s not target video games as the time wasters. They may play a part for some people, but let’s face the real problem, us. Video games can be a tool to distract us or waste our time, same as a fascination with football or any sport or game.

      Again, I love the profile pic! Nice!

      • Thanks!
        That’s more of what I was thinking. We’re criticizing video games like they’re THE evil time waster, when there are a gazillion other things we idolize instead. Thanks for your input.

  • I think it’s ok to play them, as long as you play them in moderation and as long as it doesn’t harm your walk with Christ. In my opinion, it’s just like drinking alcohol. there isn’t a single verse in the Bible that says not to drink alcohol, but it does say not to get drunk. So if it is hard for you to drink without drinking too much, it is best to just avoid it. But if you can drink in moderation, i see nothing wrong with having a glass of wine or something every once in a while. I believe it’s the same with the video games. If you can play those games without it affecting how you act, I think it’s ok to play them.

  • I’m big on freedom. I was raised that way, and I believe it. On the issue of video games, I think Paul might have the best advice (1 Cor 10:23).

    From here, it’s up to you and your parents to judge. I play Call of Duty 1, but I am not allowed to play any of the others. My father (who is a pastor) does play CoD 4, for example. The standards vary from person to person, and you just have to be certain as to whether or not the game you are considering would be helpful, harmful or perhaps neither.

    • In 1 Cor. 10:23, I don’t think Paul is meaning that some things are ok for some, and not ok for others. He’s saying that, technically, we have the freedom to do anything we please, But that doesn’t mean we should do anything we please. True, standards vary from person, but should it be that way? God’s standards do not vary. Shouldn’t all Christians hold the same standards (God’s standards)?

      • You’re right, God has standards and we should follow them. But God’s standards do not (in general) get down to such a level. I think of the story in 1 Corinthians of the meat that had been sacrificed to idols. It was permissible for Paul to eat it, but not if he would offend someone else’s conscience and cause them to sin.

        In the same way, I believe it would be fine for me to play video games. However, if by doing so I would cause someone else to stumble, then I shouldn’t do it. Does that make sense?

        • Yes that makes perfect sense! Also (and I’m not implying this about you), we shouldn’t use that passage as an excuse to do whatever we want. We also could take Phil. 4:8 to use as a filter for video games that we play (or anything that we do!). Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

  • “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15, 16

  • Hi Seth!

    Great question! To answer this question I have to look at my mother’s example. My mother is always cautious about what I watch, play, read, and listen to. So that means that she always knows what music I listen to, what books I own and read, what computer games I involve myself in, and what movies I watch. And she has good reason to know all of that. So my opinion on this question is based upon thoughts that my mother has on me watching PG-13 movies. There is high action and swearing in them and so she wants to make sure that I’m not exposed to all of that very often. She doesn’t want me to become “numb” from hearing swear words on a regular basis. Even though I hardly ever watch PG-13 movies I still know what the movies contain. Images and words can’t be unseen and unheard after you’ve been exposed to them.

    So to answer your question! I don’t think it is bad to play video games but you should never make electronics or material things more important than your family and God! Material things of this world should not affect the way you act and live life. It’s like my aunt said, “So you gain a level in a game? What’s the benefit?”

    And I think if you ever have doubts about something that you’re involved in then you should ask your parents for advice. No matter how hard it might be to confess. I’ve had those moments and after I told my mother she helped me get through it all. I still live with some guilt from my mistakes but my mother says that people learn from their mistakes and you just need to continue living life. Even though you might make a few more mistakes!

    Hope everything I said helps you and others!

    Have a wonderful day and God Bless!

    • Good thoughts! Yes it’s especially good to run issues like this past your parents or some other godly, more mature person than yourself. Thanks for that!

    • This reminded me of Colossians 3:2, which says, “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” It’s important to remember that in eternity, or even in a few years, it won’t matter if you passed the next level in a certain video game, but it will matter how much time you spent doing more important things like caring for the poor. Great thoughts, Claire! Thanks for sharing!

  • Oftentimes with entertainment, the Bible doesn’t always mention black-and-white, one-size-fits-all rules (for example, “Do not play Call of Duty”). If you feel uncomfortable playing a certain video game, then that’s probably the Holy Spirit telling you to stop. But if you continue playing the video game, ignoring the Holy Spirit, over time your conscience will become desensitized. I believe it is up to you, your parents, and God to decide whether or not you should play a certain video game. I believe that everyone has different weaknesses and get effected differently by different things. God, your parents, and yourself know these weaknesses the best.

    • You have to ask yourself, would Jesus play this game with me? The same Jesus that said, if a man sues you to take your shirt, give him your coat too. The same Jesus that said, love your enemies and do good to those that hate you so that you might be children of my father in heaven. The same Jesus who was constantly saving life and healing sickness? He was all about peace and love, compassion and everlasting life.

      Those games are all about the opposite. Anger, revenge, pride and death.

      • I’m aware this was posted 7 months ago, but…

        If I was playing some violent video game like GTA, and Jesus was right there next to me, he’d probably want to play with me, because it’s a way to have fun. I don’t think of violent video games as pure evil, I think of them as a way to relax, and sometimes even to make friends, like multiplayer games. Working together to complete the objective, whatever it may be. I’ve met like, around 15 different people online, and made friends with them through video games. One of them, I’ve been friends with for 2 years, and we play tons of different games together. We can play these types of games, but just don’t idolize them.

  • i think it can be a toss up. i dont play them myself for random reasons, but i found it really desentived me, and made me place less value on human life. Graphic and extended violence tends to make me both mad and sick because in my mind its more than a movie or game because it really does happen. yeah that scene or sequence might not actually happen, but death does. ive considered joining the military and going on active duty tours etc and if i do i dont want death and suffering to be cheapened by what i see on a screen. and even if i dont do that i dont want the value of human life to be diminshed…

  • Since I honestly am partial to violent games, I cannot and will not shun them. However, I do know that violent games can and in most cases will provoke anger, if allowed. I think violent games are okay(ish) as long as we keep in mind that God is our focus and that if we get frustrated we should put down the controller, take a walk, and talk to Jesus.

    ~Carson Sheppard

    • The games provoke anger because the spirit behind them is a spirit of anger, pride and torment.

      I was addicted to gaming up till a few months ago. I speak from experience. My anger level has all by disappeared since I gave away my expensive hand built gaming rig.

  • I find that violent video games to me often dont effect me very negatively except that they drain time. I often finish playing thinking “wow I could have spent those 2 hours playing guitar or praying or stuying”. I think to me the negative is the opportunity cost, what you cant do because you chose to do it and I think if you plan your time responsibly that there is no real con

    • I agree with the first part of what you said, but may I politely disagree with the last part? You say there is no real con, but I think there is. Playing violent video games causes your mind to (either consciously or subconsciously) dwell on violent thoughts. We are instructed to do otherwise in Philipians 4:8. That’s my take on the situation. 🙂

  • I think that when it comes to the concern of “wasting time”, it is an issue if it is taking time away from God.
    Down time and recreation are not bad things to do or practice, but if it is an obsession that pulls you away from God, then it would be a problem.

    • Hi there! Welcome to the Rebelution! 🙂
      That’s my opinion too – if it’s not taking time away from God, it’s probably okay within reason.

      • I’m not actually a new member, I just haven’t been active in a while 😛 . I joined before Disqus was how comments were handled, about 4 years ago.

  • Personally, I disprove of violent video games. They desensetize us and get us comfortable around violence which isn’t that great. I definetly don’t say toss out all video games though. I love playing Wii with my brother! I feel like it brings us closer together and teaches us how to work together on hard levels. However we both generally stick to games like Mario Kart and especially Lego Star Wars since in our opinions, little Lego guys getting blasted doesn’t quite qualify as violence.

    • The Bible commands us to be peace makers. Also, you can read Philippians 4:8. Plus the Bible says to love your enemies which sort of contradicts with what the violent video games teach.

  • i think that it all hangs on where you stand on resistance/nonresistance.. i personally agree with @elizabeth marie down there a little lower lol.

    • But sometimes I wonder if it’s right that different Christians have different beliefs about nonresistance/resistance. as Christians, shouldn’t we all stand for nonresistance and peace? Jesus was nonresistant in this world, because this was not his kingdom. It’s not our kingdom either. We fight a spiritual battle. So shouldn’t there be congruency within the Christian beliefs if we all follow the same God?

      • well i see your point… i believe that we are not supposed to go around acting aggresive or anything, but i think self defense is completly fine, i mean would Gog want you to sit back and watch if your family was being murdered or raped??? seriously

        • Yeah. I’ve never really known for sure where I stand in the area of self defense. If it’s in defense of loved ones, though, that’s a different story. I definitely see your point! I would not hesitate to fight someone to save a family member or friend, but as far as killing someone else to protect loved ones… Idk how I could bring myself to kill another human being. Thoughts??

          • i know what you mean… in most cases it would probably be best to subdue the attacker and let the authoraties do the rest.. but sometimes there is just no choice and you gotta do what you gotta do

          • I totally agree… I’m already planning to get a firearm and a license… not to look cool or anything but for those “emergencies” and hunting!

          • I have 4 grown daughters, youngest 17, and the first thing I taught them about firearms, is that you don’t talk about them in public. You have to think of them like underwear. You never show it off, you never expose it to the world, and you keep it all covered unless there is some dire emergency.

            Last month, I walked into my daughters room and said to her, “You remember how we don’t discuss our weapons in public?” She nodded. i then looked at her iPhone on her dresser and said, “We are in public.” Then I took her iPhone and put it in her sock drawer between some socks. “Now we are in private.” She didn’t understand. So I explained how her phone is always on. Can be hacked by anyone, including the government. And can be used against you as a recording device.

            So keep your public gun talk vague and ambiguous to avoid any possible problems.

          • Even when you are not using the phone, it can be used to listen to the room, you should still consider yourself to be in public. It’s a changing world out there. Protect yourself.

          • Right. And the video feeds on the front and rear facing cameras. There’s nothing we can do about it, really, but pray.

          • I totally agree… a gun or “gun talk” is nothing to be flaunted… it is a huge responsibility… I hope I didn’t worry you or anyone else with my comment about using that particular “tool” for self-defense… Sorry if I did! But rest assured, I do keep conversations in public vague when discussing guns or any other weapon… Thanks for the advice! 😉

          • yeah! i have a crossbow for hunting tho. planing on getting a deer this year

          • Yeah, I know. But what then about the passages where Jesus says resist not evil. Turn the other cheek. Bless those that curse you. Let someone who sues you for your coat have your cloak also? This is good discussion, guys! Love it! 🙂

          • well dude, you only have two cheeks. joke, but i think there is a point where it goes too far.

          • Right. The point is this: when turning the other cheek causes more chaos and destruction than not. We are called to be peace makers.

          • but in a moment of danger wouldn’t turning the other cheek be counted as murder or suicide what i mean is that jesus was speaking hypothetically because i don’t think he meant that if someone is beating us up we should say “here you missed this cheek” because i think that would be counted as wanting to get hurt so again hypothetically speaking if your cheeks are your wife an your kids you wouldn’t tell the man who wants to hurt them oh here my daughter is hidden under the table if that makes sense

      • Jesus wasn’t totally nonresistant…do you remember how he told Peter to go out and buy a sword? That was against Roman law. And why would He tell Peter to go buy something he wasn’t going to use?
        Another point my dad likes to make is when Jesus told that parable…”if the man of the house (I probably am not getting this exactly right) would have known what hour the thief was coming, he would not have suffered his house to be broken into.” In other words, the guy would have stayed up all night and done whatever was necessary to keep the robber out and protect what God has given him…his family and possessions.
        Was it wrong for our ancestors to fight the Revelutionary War? The War Between the States? WWII? In every war, people fight and die to protect their rights, freedoms, families, etc.
        There also have been instances where it was not God’s will for His people to fight, and instead lay down their lives for His sake and the sake of His Son and for the Gospel.
        It is hard, sometimes, to know where to stand. I would advise praying about it and asking God to show you where He wants you to stand.
        Heroes are made in different ways, but there is always one unifying factor: they did what God asked them to do.

        • Yes, good input! Actually I heard on the radio that when Jesus told Peter to buy a sword, he wasn’t meaning for Peter to actually buy a literal sword and use it in the traditional sense. Remember that Jesus rebuked Peter for using the sword when he cut of the High Priest’s servant’s ear when they came to arrest Jesus.

          • Yes… JESUS did say that “those who live by the sword; die by the sword”… I think that is a great reminder! Violence should not be our first course of action!

          • True; but at that moment it was God’s will for Jesus to go with them and Peter’s defending Jesus at that moment would have interfered with God’s will.
            Like I said, sometimes it is His will for us not to resist.

          • It depends on the circumstances.
            If God never changes, and He blessed Moses, David, and Joshua when they went into battle, then sometimes we are commanded by Him to fight. Jesus will come back again and destroy His enemies. I’d say that counts as violence used against evil.
            As Christians, we’re soldiers in the spiritual realm, and sometimes when the spiritual conflict spills over into the physical, we’re asked to answer that call, too. There is such a thing as just and righteous war.

      • I believe there is nothing wrong with righteous anger… or acting on it! JESUS turned over the money changers tables in the temple and chased them out with a whip! While we all would love a peaceful existence… evil is very much a part of our lives too. We MUST defend the fatherless and widows… the weak! Gruesome battles are all throughout the Bible. Many of the godly men in the Bible were warriors! True peace will only come when JESUS returns!

        • Yes I definitely see what you mean! Good point about all the battles and killing directed by God in the Bible! I’ve thought about that before. Interesting stuff!

        • Yeah, don’t forget people like Ehud who I brought up a while ago in a different conversation. 😉

          • Gross but AWESOME! I kinda favor Ehud… I’m left-handed too. People NEED to know of our awesomeness! …just kidding. 😉 Only GOD is AWESOME!

          • THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT! People misuse awesome all the time. God is the only one who is awesome!

          • Yep! Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights, with whom there is no shadow due to change. James 1

        • Many today seem to take their morals from the OT in the name of Christianity. They end up with morals no different to those people had before Jesus revealed ‘truth’ and shone his ‘light’ upon Scripture. Matthew 26:52 says those who live by the sword die by the sword. Epheisans 6 says our fight is NOT against flesh and blood. That’s from Paul who used to be a zealous Jew and was OK with Christians being put to death!
          The risen Christ immediately starts opening peoples eyes to see the Old Testament Scriptures differently. Read through Luke 24.

          On Jesus driving out money changers with a whip, it’s actually sheep and cattle! John 2:15.

  • This is a long comment, so don’t read it if you are pressed for time, or you bore easily 🙂

    This topic can be argued strongly both ways. We see on one hand, the violent acts of biblical characters in order to accomplish God’s will. Then we have just the idea of peace, and not bringing harm to a neighbor. I personally find the idea of killing people with real lives kind of sickening. Just think, if I may illustrate with a story (sorry if it’s not too realistic)

    A young boy, let’s say his name was John Smith (Any reference to any persons living or dead is completely coincidental) grew up, say, on a farm (why not?). This boy was brought up to be a tenacious man who could support a family when he got older. He lived by good standards and his parents set a great example for him. When he was 19 years old, a war between his country and a neighboring one broke out. He was quickly drafted into the army, and his life was forced to be put on hold. His training was extensive, but he worked hard, supported by the thought of returning home, and marrying his fiance that he left behind. After training ended, he was placed in a troop of infantry, and given a bunk with his new troop members. He built a relationship with some of the other soldiers in his barracks, but soon he was forced into the front lines of the battle. Now, before this, John (you will remember this is the boy’s name) was very hesitant in killing an enemy. If forced to, he would injure the opposing force in self defense, but he could never claim to have killed anyone. A few days after reaching the fight, (John was forced to sleep on the battlefield) John was tending to a wounded friend, when he was ambushed and killed.
    THE END.
    That’s it. To some, John Smith became nothing more than a number on a list. A name lost in time. But to others, like those closet to him, he was never forgotten. His family never tired of mourning their son, brother, nephew, cousin, dear friend, or fiance. This was a life dear to them, not just a number in the army! This may seem sad, but it’s nothing compared to the whole country’s loss.

    This hopefully sheds some light on what war really is in the personal aspect. Don’t call me a hypocrite when I say that I do play some violent games. However, the less personal, the better. That’s one of the reasons I like starwars games, because the battles (during the clone wars at least) are between clones, who are not really individuals, and were made to fight, and robots which are even more so. If you disagree with me, that’s fine. I won’t care. I just thought I would get that out there. But don’t make me regret saying this stuff…

    There, you read it! Good job! ;D

    • do you play games like black ops, halo, and destiny? if you do tell me what you think about them in the aspect that there not real people and they are basically codes and stuff like that

      • Hello!

        *Yawwn* sorry. I haven’t posted on here in a very long time… I think you woke me up. 🙂

        Anyway, I’ll try to answer your question. Let’s see. Let me read some of the stuff I posted way back when…..OK, got it.

        So basically you asked if I play some of those violent video games that are popular today and what I think about them. Actually, I was recently thinking about something similar to what you asked. It went something like this:

        I played paintball for the first time with some friends the other day and I had a lot of fun!!! Then of course I was thinking something like, “I want to do this again really soon!!!” Then, I was thinking something like, “since I can’t do that, (it was kinda far away…and, it costs money [did you know that? It’s true]) I want to play a paintball video game.” Typical, right? I can’t help it!

        Anyway, that got me thinking (I guess I think a lot…) about how, video games are sort of a way for us (guys especially) to have fun doing things that we can’t do for real whenever we want to. …like shooting firearms at friends :). So that’s one reason to play violent video games. Another reason that makes video games a good alternative for actually doing the stuff is, like you said, it’s only code and things. So, to answer your question, I don’t play black ops, or destiny, but I have played halo (once or twice) 🙂 So, I guess, depending on what you are trying to do, and how much useless, add-in, unneeded violence and other stupid content is thrown in there, it’s OK to let video games give your violent side a bit of a vent sometimes (I’m assuming you are a guy, btw), and, in situations like this listen to your parents, kids!! They probably know more than you anyway!

        This is just my opinion. (And if it got a little off topic, it’s because I was just watching Blimey Cow :), but I’m getting off topic…)

        Hope that helps! (don’t hate me if it didn’t, at least I tried…)

  • I personally don’t play violent games and for that matter i only really play one pc game (farming simulator) and that’s it. If you wouldn’t kill someone in real life why would you do it in a game for fun? There’s tons of games out there that are not violent in anyway and i’m sure there’s a game for everyone! Another thing i would say is that if you’re spending more time or putting playing games before spending time with the Lord then think again.

  • Well, at 45 I’m definitely not a teen anymore. But I have suffered a severe addiction for over 30 years that ate away at my life and consumed all the spare time I had. Yes, they had gaming 30 years ago. It’s called Atari… I’ve had 4 daughters, and I can’t even begin to tell you the time that I’ve lost with them because of my severe addiction to action FPS games. It’s all I wanted to do.

    4 months ago, I got into an argument with my wife about something, and a tiny trigger went off in my mind. I attribute it to the Spirit. I began to think about all my wasted time, and how my relationship with my wife would be so much better if I had spent more time with her instead of my games. So I took my expensive, 8 core, $400 video card, 16g ram, 4 hard drive system with an SSD OS drive to the garbage can. I loved gaming, I loved being on Teamspeak with my friends. I loved being an admin for a large group of gamers called Moongamers. But I really felt like Jesus was saying, “cut the cord!” So I did. The Moongamers folks all backed me up in my decision. They didn’t have the addiction like I did. Or maybe they did and hadn’t realized it yet. I don’t really know.

    In the end, my wife begged me not to throw the PC away. She said it was too expensive to just toss like that. So I ended up giving it to the son of a man I work with who wanted to build a video editing machine. It had everything he needed.

    Let me tell you, my life is slowly changing! I see sides to my grown children I’ve never seen before! My wife is showing me respect in a way I’ve never dreamt was possible! And my grand daughter dances with me almost every night before bedtime. Of course the song we have to dance to is from Frozen! 🙁

    Everything is changing now that I am present in the real world. And video gaming addiction is real folks. Don’t fool yourself. If you are getting angry at people who walk into your room asking for your time, all because they are interrupting your precious game, you are addicted. That attitude is the most major sign of it.

  • Yup, the profanity is a real concern. And all the current titles have it in there. Sad how far we have slid down the perverted language ladder in our gaming societies.

  • Hey Seth,
    I’m pretty boring in most peoples eyes… I am not into social media of any kind (unless you count this blog (:), and I have never done the whole video game thing (what is spare time? LOL!). But I really don’t see the point of playing violent video games.
    I have a scenario for you… you have a mate over who isn’t a Christian, he sees you playing this video game, and he knows you are a Christian, but you are still harming and/or killing people on a game as “fun” is it really setting that great an example for Christ? Just my thoughts!

    • Me to! No social media, no video games. But, man looks at the outside appearance. God looks at the heart. We just have to remember that!
      My thoughts exactly. Great point.

      Are you new to the Reb?

  • I you want to buy a violent video game or a bad video game my dad once told me would you do what those people do in the games, example gta people o around and kill people and steal cars would you do that in real life

      • But that sounds a lot like you can’t do that in real life cause you know it’s wrong so you’ll do it in a video game where it doesn’t actually exist but the question still comes back around as to why doing that, even if it has no real-life effect where you’re actually killing someone, is appropriate and how that doesn’t change our minds on a subconscious level.

  • Why would you play a game in which you get points/rewards for killing people? That sounds pretty satanic to me. You wouldn’t go up to some random person on the street and beat them up, would you? So why would you do it in a video game? Maybe I don’t get it because I’m a girl, but it seems… well actually kind of sick to get rewarded tor hurting people, even fake ones. And plus, it isn’t very attractive to girls to see a guy who spends his time killing fake people or just a lot of time on pointless video games in general.

    • I want to challenge you as a brother in Christ then to hold yourself to that expectation…have you gone to see a movie that had killing in it? Why? You can’t look down on us because we like a different form of art than you. If you think that killing in video games is unnecessary, I challenge you to steer away from every form of media with killing in it. Don’t hold us to an expectation if you cannot fill it yourself.

      • I think it can be kind of difficult to judge it perfectly, because in most games where there is killing as apart of the story, it’s as if you’re just watching the story unfold, like a movie, but still that can be changed your mind on a subconscious level. There are also choice-based games which, in the past, I have played where you can find other ways to beat the game rather than kill a person which I always tried to do because I liked being the good guy in them. I haven’t picked up my Xbox controller in about 5 days as I’ve been trying to focus on God more and His word, but I still have that urge to play Assassin’s Creed which is Origins (Egyptian god’s and all that which they all idolaised) and I don’t feel it would be good to go back to it. I think we have to be very weary and cautious of these things because even though they might not directly impact our hearts of minds (although in most cases, they do even slightly), God may hate them and therefore, would it not be displeasing to God to see us playing games that feature such sin such as Assassin’s Creed Origins which reflects on the Egyptians idolatry as well as killing and absolute evil. Or, even, GTA which is probably the most obvious game to avoid. Maybe we should all just stick to Monopoly where we can at the least play with others and even suduko or crosswords seeing how blurred the lines can get between what appears innocent and is actually evil and what is legitimately “good” or not sinful. God bless you all

  • Video games are like books in that there are good ones and bad ones. It’s a form of recreation, not a war simulation. Obviously games like Hatred and GTA are bad, but games like The Last of Us have really good stories. Also, shooter games aren’t just about killing people; I would totally play a shooter game even if it was against ragdolls with unicorn guns as long as the gameplay is fun.

    • i have a question so in your opinion games like black ops 3 and destiny (multiplayer) and halo (multiplayer) are bad?

  • I don’t know if you know about mortal combat X .But in my opinion it’s quite violent so i would like some opinions about it in general.

    • As akin to what I posted a bit earlier, the motives for the characters in the game are unknown…so the violence (and actual playing of the game) is unnecessary. That game series is main draw has always been over the top gore. I steer clear of it.

  • Just an add on to what Seth asks, I want to play this game called Yandere Stimulator, but since it’s well, Yandere, I’m not sure I should…(PS Yandere is usually defined as a pcshycotic person -usually female- who would go to drastic measures for someone close such as mass-murdering or abduction) Can anyone help me with this? Cuz, I know for a fact that I won’t go around killing others for someone, but I just find the gameplay really interesting for some reason.

    • I Agree, that does sound like a really interesting game. Personally I think the reason violence is wrong is because you’re causing harm to somebody, but in videogames you aren’t actually causing any harm so its a phony violence. That’s my opinion. Unfortunately the bible just says “no violence” without specifying so its hard to say for sure.

    • i have mixed thoughts on on this topic because indeed the bible says that all we do should glorify God an that a man rips what he sows but i know for a fact i don’t want to sow what i am playing in my console u just see it as a form of entertainment so mage I’m seeing it from a wrong point of view but i believe if what you are playing doesn’t affect your relationship with God and if you are spending time which him it is fine yet again there are some people who have a better grasp at this subject than i do and this is merely my opinion

  • What makes you say playing videogames is a waste of time? Is neutral entertainment in moderation wrong? I personally do not see neutral recreation as a waste of time, it is meaningful and beneficial as a needed break from all the duties we have as Christians.

  • I think its actually behind the motive, in my opinion. Entertainment in America today are focused on acts of heroism. Think of how successful the Marvel movies, superhero movies, etc. They’re successful because we root for the good guy. I’ve played through a few video games myself, and I consider video games to be an art. But I found a huge moral distance when I played a Call of Duty game as to when I tried Grand Theft Auto. I played through Call of Duty Black Ops, and you take the shoes of an agent trying to better the good of the country. You’re fighting for America, its a valid, heroic cause. I only tried Grand Theft Auto once: the killing of innocent civilians sits differently with me than the deaths of terrorists. Then you have to look at things like content filters (Black Ops allowed for blood and language to be turned off) and things like weather you’re shooting people, or aliens in say like Halo. Sexual content in the game. Language. There are just so many factors, but I find the motive of the game to be one of the biggest. I personally think that there is too much of a separation with video games and movies as well. Some people won’t play a video game that has shooting, and then will go out and watch, say, James Bond. You can’t hold a double standard. Its both or neither.

  • CSGO CALL OF DUTY PLAY THEM ALL GTA5 IS EPIC CHRISTIANS CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT HAHAHAHAHHA ELELELELELELELELE

  • As for christians playing video games, I haven’t played a video game in 5 years and never plan to play another one. I don’t miss it at all! In my opinion, there is no possible way that a christian should play a video game where you kill people. The bible says that though shalt not kill! I know your not really killing people, but this kind of stuff actually happens in real life, and pretending to kill people in a video game is definitely not something a christian should do. How is it glorifying God by playing these video games? God has given us our time and money and they belong to Him. If you say that it doesn’t effect you, you’re wrong. You cant see and listen to stuff and not have it effect you! The bible says to guard your heart above all else for from it flows the springs of life. By playing violent video games, you are becoming more desensitized to it whether you realize it or not. Basically, it comes down to this: Can violent video games honor God? I don’t think its possible. I would definitely recommend a documentary called ‘captivated’. Here is the link for it: Captivatedthemovie.com
    I hope this helps!

  • as a christian myself I believe it all depends on the game, there are many games where you play as a soldier fighting a evil terrorist group and defending people, where you play as the good guys. Again this is the type of violence God is not opposed to, all throughout scripture we find God commanding the isrealites to make war against wicked and terrorist like nations like the cannanites who burned there own children alive for pagan sacrifices and the amakelites who were constantly attacking isreal for no reason, as somebody mentioned above, there is such thing as a righteous war. Somebody above was using Jesus’s words above such as Love your enemies and turn the other cheek, and we should love our enemies and not hate them, however if these people are threatening to murder people or kill you and your family i believe we as christians have a right to act. For example i personally for one do not hate the individual people involved in ISIS, I hate the evil THINGS they do but not the actual person themself, i would rather see those guys repent and place there faith in christ and stop doing the things they do, however because they continue to murder people we have no choice but to fight them in war. So while we are to love our enemies, there comes a point of time where action needs to be taken to save lives, and since God never changes and God in the OT with david, joshua and other warriors who fought for their country and God blessed them, and if God was so opposed to war as some christians try to say we wouldnt have seen it in the OT and since his character never changes he was the same in the NT when he came as jesus, and hes still the same now and will always be the same, what should also be noticed is that when jesus returns he will return as a warrior who will make war and rule with a rod of iron, not that of a baby in a manger! My point is that we need to understand is that there are certain circumstances that require different actions. Now with all that said i believe games like GTA are some we a christians should oppose 110%. that game along with a couple other games that promote things like prostitution, armed robbery, and murder of civilians for no reason, along with mockery they try to make of Jesus and christianity as well. Games like that, i would agree no christian should play, however that game is much different then that of lets say the medal of honor series where you play as a american soldier in the Afghanistan war fighting al queda (or in ww2 fighting the nazis depending the which game in the installment) you play as the good guys fighting evil, not the other way around such as GTA. I hope this helps

rebelling against low expectations

The Rebelution is a teenage rebellion against low expectations—a worldwide campaign to reject apathy, embrace responsibility, and do hard things. Learn More →