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Chris23 Junior Member Posts: 2 From: Registered: 09-26-2007 |
Alright guys, I don't know if your aware with Paul Washer's Shocking youth message video. Where he talks about people watching filthy shows on TV that openly blaspheme God, are filled with scantly clad women, swearing, rape, drug use etc. Then right after watching this these people are going straight from watching this to Church or their youth group etc. Now the medium I want to apply this too is video games. I don't know if you guys are aware but just recently Halo 3 was released ( a very popular game series if you are not aware). The game more or rest's along the premise of saving the planet from an alien race, using guns and such to defend yourself. Do you think I should avoid things like this? Or does this scream [u]legalism[/u]. What is your personal belief on this? Although this game is not loaded with sinful things that common tv programs/ or movies, it is much like your typical action movie lots of explosions, guns, killing aliens. I used to be a big gaming person before I was converted, that Is why I am drawn to this and this is why I am asking your opinion it used to be a big part of my lifestyle. I just dont know if I can justify it. Especially playing games all the time when we are commanded to follow things such as the great commission "go and preach the gospel to every living creature"
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Mack Administrator Posts: 2779 From: Registered: 01-20-2001 |
It's the glorification aspect where you get into trouble. In many games your set out to complete objects with obstacles involved and with the case in Halo you need to kill any alien troops between you and your objective. In that aspect (doing what your commanded in a mission objective) or in self defense then I think force related conflict resolution is fine. However as soon as you start to overly enjoy the violence you're inflicting on the enemy solider or the game overtly glorifies the violence then it's bad. When being involved in different mediums (whenever it be games, movies, music, etc.) always be on guard; everything, even Christian media, could have anti-productive effects on your spiritual growth. It’s best to listen to what your spirit says, if you’re getting the “I really shouldn’t be doing this” impression then don’t.
quote: Playing games is a recreational activity that, like all activities, should be played for only a certain extent of time. You can also be a good example by being Christian in the entire playing experience. While playing online avoid the slanderous name calling and conduct performed by other players. Instead try to lead by example by being a good team player, working together, encouraging team mates, not taking the game overly seriously and having fun. You can build friendships off of this which, over time, could lead to an opportunity to share with them the love and friendship of Christ. Hope this helps and welcome to CCN! ------------------ |
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Chris23 Junior Member Posts: 2 From: Registered: 09-26-2007 |
Just out of curiosity if you wanted to lead someone to Christ through an online video experience how would you go about doing it. What steps would you give them to be a Christian? |
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JeTSpice Member Posts: 433 From: La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA Registered: 06-10-2006 |
Hi, Chris23, and welcome to CCN. Not sure about witnessing online. Concerning what's appropriate, here's a test I use for myself: After I play a game, or watch a movie or tv or listen to a song, how do I react to my higher responsibilities around me. Do I sass my mom? Do I drive dangerously? Is it hard for people to talk to me afterward? If yes, then this entertainment is a stumbling block to me. It's directly opposed to me "working out my salvation" because it's causing my character to deteriorate. If my wife needs my attention, can I turn off the tv? Can I miss the next scene, or lose the game and be okay? If no, then I've got my priorities backward and I'm not being obedient to God. Honesty with yourself is the best policy. The right thing to do might be the hard thing to do, but the faithfulness you demonstrate to God is rewarded many times over. [This message has been edited by JeTSpice (edited September 26, 2007).] |
bwoogie Member Posts: 380 From: kansas usa Registered: 03-12-2005 |
I have hugely mixed feelings about violent video games. One side says, "You know, maybe you shouldn't play those types of games." but then the other side says, "If violence is so bad why is there so much of it in the bible?" If God wanted me to stay away from violence and keep it out of my mind, why is it in the bible? Obviously videos games and movies aren't covered in the bible. And I'm not sure that reading and imagining violence is really less "affective" than seeing and interacting with a computer screen. Although you are more involved while playing a game, does it affect your thoughts anymore than reading a book (fact or fiction) about violence? It does depend on the person, but i think the best thing to do is to ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and speak to our hearts if it's something we should or shouldn't be doing. It's a hard thing to ask though and even ignore, in fear he might say stay away, because they are so stinking fun. *When I say violence I mean on screen / in book type violence i.e. fictional/historical/biblical type violence. - not committing real crimes yourself. ------------------ |
Jari Member Posts: 1471 From: Helsinki, Finland Registered: 03-11-2005 |
Hi Chris, welcome to CCN. 
quote: Me too, games very my life before. But now I am thankful to Jesus for saving me from that gaming hell because our want and desire to game cannot be completely satisfied. While with God you don't need games. So I can play games but thank God for His word and the spiritual life He grows us to. Otherwise if I would deside to leave games i would need to replace them with something but thanks to God He is the replacement for them. I hope this helps to make your desision but remember to let God grow you out from what you think is not good, this has worked for me and I'm happy about it and that I had change to tell this.
In Christ, [This message has been edited by jari (edited September 26, 2007).] |
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JeTSpice Member Posts: 433 From: La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA Registered: 06-10-2006 |
After reading Jari's post, I should say that I don't play shooters or demonic games anymore, either. Also on my list of things I wont watch: horror movies, gore movies, Austin Powers, Scary Movie, Attack of the Show, Doom. |
zookey Member Posts: 1902 From: Great Falls, Montana, USA Registered: 04-28-2002 |
My personal belief is one big tool that will help you is to learn to discern fantasy and reality--realize you can enjoy a fantasy story as long as you don't become so obsessed with it that it replaces God as your reality---and that can be done with anything--some people hold the Bible in such high regard that it literally replaces God in their lives and does the same destructive thing--God should always be foremost then everything else will be in perspective for you ------------------ |
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ls_adam Member Posts: 20 From: Denver, CO Registered: 10-11-2007 |
Chris, It seems like the question distills down to, "Am I doing God's will in ____ situation?" Jesus said that all the commandments depend on loving God and loving others. The question I frequently ask myself is "Is what I am doing right now helping me to love God more, or love others more?" Jesus is a pretty smart fellow. It gets right to the heart of the issue, yet it's abstract enough to avoid legalism and leave room for conviction by the Spirit. Mat 22:36-40 ESV "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" (37) And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (38) This is the great and first commandment. (39) And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (40) On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." [This message has been edited by ls_adam (edited October 11, 2007).] |
steveth45 Member Posts: 536 From: Eugene, OR, USA Registered: 08-10-2005 |
Yeah, it's pretty much a personal conscience issue. I feel no guilt in healthy (as in, not overdoing it) doses or relaxation and entertainment. I find television to be mostly a waste of time and brain cells, but games can actually be engaging, social, and mentally stimulating, while simultaneously relaxing and enjoyable. It's interactive, which gives it a big leg-up on television, which is an entirely passive experience for the viewer. There are a few games that I can't "handle" in regards to violence and such, but I have no problem with most shooters, etc. Driving games can give much of the thrill of other action games, with an entire lack of morally questionable content. I've been playing PGR3 on the 360, and loving every second of it, sliding around corners, etc. It's not like I get in my pickup and start taking street corners at 80 mph. Also, I make games for a living, so playing games feeds into that. I know God wants me to be excellent at my work, so playing and enjoying games is as much an act of obedience to God as any other. Playing games, has given me the opportunity to build many relationships, especially with my co-workers who are all avid gamers, too. There are a lot of traps (for men, especially) on the internet, so I find that my downtime can often be better spent playing games, than idly surfing the net. ------------------ |
