How to Honor God with Your Videogames

“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth; Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Ephesians 5:8-11

The young man nervously walks up to the door of his beloved fiancé clutching a bouquet of lilacs in one hand and a box of chocolate covered peanuts in the other. After ringing the door bell, the young man sheepishly smiles at the young lady opening the front door. Not knowing what to say, he blurts out, “How can I…uh…honor you…tonight?” She replies, “Well, first of all, you can throw the lilacs and peanuts in the bushes; I’m deathly allergic to them. Secondly, you can start listening to me when I talk to you. I told you the other day that I hated both of those things.”

Many Christians, while trying to honor and serve God, allow things into their lives that God has clearly stated that he does not like. Many come up with reasons as to why these things are “alright.” Inevitably, excuses abound. “It is a grey area” or “a neutral activity,” they say. However, if the truth were to be told and if they really desired to honor God, they would take an attentive look at what God says in his Word about the subject at hand and matters related to it. One such activity that many Christians justify without truly examining God’s Word is that of video gaming.

Ephesians 5 states that the Christian should–in all that he does–walk as one who has been made a child of the light. Paul, under inspiration, charges the Ephesian Christians to therefore prove (try, examine, test) all that they do based on whether it is an activity of darkness or of light. The Bible has many things to say that relate to video games. Therefore, if a Christian wants to honor God with his video games, he must prove his video games based on what God has to say about those things related with them in His Word.

Video games that hurt the conscience do not honor God

God desires that every Christian be holy and have a “good conscience” (I Tim. 1:18-19) so that the believer’s faith may remain strong. God gives many specific commands to the Christian to which the educated conscience must take heed and obey. A few examples of things that God forbids include worldly music (I Jn 2:15-16; Rom. 12:2; Prov. 19:27), foul language (Ps. 10:7; Prov. 10:31), violence (Rom. 1:28-30; Ps. 11:5; Ps. 7:16), sorcery and magic (Dt. 18:10-12; Rev. 21:8), immodesty (II Sam. 11:2; Job 31:1; Prov. 6:25), and immorality (Mt.5:27-28; Eph. 5:3; II Pet. 2:9-10,14). To disobey these commands is to sully the conscience with sin and thus effectively shipwreck one’s faith.

One infamous game that seems to break all the rules is the series of games called Grand Theft Auto. This wicked series has made headlines scores of times for its violent, debauched content. From cop-killing to car-theft, immodesty to immorality, vile language to an explicit soundtrack, the game seems to stand as a demonstration of the lifestyle of people whom God will cast into the lowest recesses of the lake of fire. Massacre after massacre in the real world has been traced back to this God dishonoring game. Secular studieshave revealed that the steady exposure to simulated violence does indeed affect human behavior. No wonder God said, “Him that loveth violence my soul hateth” (Ps. 11:5).

Beyond violence, many games such as the Pokemon series and many others, open the players’ minds up to the supernatural world where Satan is prince through magic and witchcraft. While some games seem to take a more “innocent approach” to witchcraft, other games, such as The Darkness, dive headlong into suicide, demon possession, and summoning evil spirits to carry out murderous tasks. Whether seemingly innocent or straight out of the pit of Hell, God’s opinion is still that they are abominable and that they “shall not be found among you” (Dt. 18:10-12).

While many more examples could be cited, it is sufficient to say that most video games break at least one of these commands. If a Christian must admit that his particular video game choices contain one or more of these elements, he must also admit that they do not honor God.

Video games that squander God-given resources do not honor God

One of the signs of spiritual immaturity is that of recklessly squandering important assets for that which has little profit. The story of the prodigal son demonstrates the folly of this attitude of waste (Luke 15:11-14, 17-18). The prodigal was left with nothing to show for his father’s hard-earned wealth. God has very candid things to say to those who would waste His resources. Such resources as time (Eph. 5:15-17; Jn. 9:4; Js. 4:14-15; Jn.12:35), money (Is. 55:2; Lk. 16:11; Pr. 18:9), and opportunities (Col. 4:5; Ps. 119:37; Js. 4:17; I Cor. 15:34) are treated with high regard by the Lord. Those who squander them will doubtless face “terror of the Lord” at the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Cor. 5:11).

Even in the secular world, some are highly concerned about the wasteful nature of videogames. In the following lengthy quote, one source said that gamers can

spend a disproportionate amount of money on computer-related items. The person will seem to be continually upgrading hardware, software packages, and accessories. This becomes an even greater problem if the person spends money that should be used for bills, groceries, and other necessities…. A person may sit down at his computer…with the intent to spend only a few minutes, but completely lose track of time and suddenly find that several hours have passed. It is not unusual for someone…to play through the night and only realize how much time has passed when the sun begins to rise…. He may grow distant from friends and family who had previously been close. Homework may go unfinished, causing grades to slip. In more extreme cases, the teen may even neglect personal hygiene, choosing to play video games rather than taking a shower.

Hygiene and homework aside, many times for Christian teens, a relationship with God and the work of the Lord also go by the wayside as they waste the time, money, and opportunities God has bestowed upon them. Video games that waste these resources do not honor God.

Video games that nurture the flesh do not honor God

While some recreational activities Christians may enjoy are neither sinful nor waste God’s resources, many have the potential of feeding fleshly habits, thus causing the Christian to be preoccupied with that which is not spiritual. A well-fed fleshly appetite can easily bring a Christian into sinful habits such as laziness (Pr. 21:25-26; Pr. 24:30-32; Heb. 6:11-12), selfishness (Jas. 4:3; II Pet. 3:3; Phil. 2:4,21; II Cor. 5:15), covetousness (Col. 3:5; I Cor. 10:14; Ps. 119:36; Heb. 13:5; Lk. 16:13), or rebellion/disrespect (Eph. 6:1; Col. 3:20; Pr. 20:20; Pr. 30:11,17; II Tim. 3:1-3).

Many times, video games will nurture such fleshly weaknesses. The sloppy room, unmade bed, and other signs of laziness often accompany the glazed-over eyes of the teenage gamer. Instead of going outside and working, many gamers would prefer to stay inside and play. Instead of pursuing God and His will, an attitude of spiritual slothfulness pervades as the games dominate. A selfish perspective also begins to develop because the games all center around the gamer–his quest, his choices, his progress, etc. He is not so much concerned about the needs of his family or friends, but of his own. Instead of having a selfless ministry mindset, he is conditioned by the game to have a self-centered perspective. Video games also develop a taste for success and advancement without God. Whether it be obtaining a new car, a new level, or a new skill, God is entirely absent from the equation. This leads to a covetous appetite that seeks for more and more regardless of God’s will and provision. In addition to these flesh-nurturing dynamics, video games can also drive a wedge between the teen and his parents. Teens can lose interest in spending quality time with their parents. Teens can disobey their parent’s call because they are almost to a “save point.” Teens can buck at authorities who try to limit their time on the gaming systems.

Though the range of flesh habits that video games can nurture are as diverse as the personalities involved, nevertheless the habits nurtured are just that–flesh! If a Christian’s video games nurture these habits, he must admit that they do not honor God.

Video games that are addicting do not honor God

Nowadays, people are addicted to many things—from drugs to shopping, from internet usage to gambling. God makes it very clear in his Word that Christians should not brought under the power of anything (I Cor. 6:12). In other words, addictions do not honor God. Addicting substances or habits all have similar things in common: they offer escape from reality, they offer a sense of power or control, and they offer experiences far surpassing “normal” life. These elements of addicting activities can be dangerous to a Christian’s walk with God.

Dr. Kimberly Young of the Center for Internet Addiction Recovery defined gaming addiction as:

A compulsive behavior which interferes with normal living and causes severe stress on family, friends, loved ones, and one’s school or work environment. For the gaming addict, the game becomes a compulsive habit that completely dominates the addict’s life. Gaming addicts make the [games] a priority more important than family, friends, and work. The game becomes the organizing principle of addicts’ lives. They are willing to sacrifice what they cherish most in order to preserve and continue their unhealthy behavior.

I once read a story of a young man who had been stranded in the woods for three days. When he was found, he wanted to do three things: eat, drink, and play videogames. Apparently he was as addicted to games as he was to food and water. Games noted for their particularly addictive tendencies include the various editions of World of Warcraft and Halo. Another game that has addicted thousands of late is the game called Angry Birds. According to a recent demographic study, the overall average time spent playing Angry Birds exceeds 200,000,000 minutes per day. According to the same study, only 18% of those who play the game say that it’s not addicting to them at all. The study reveals that the only cure for this addiction is to delete the game entirely–sounds good to me.

Though there are various websites and organizations founded for the express purpose of helping people overcome their videogame addictions, the best way to beat the addiction is to stay away from the substance in the first place. If that is no longer possible, humility and accountability in conjunction with appropriating the power of Christ are more than sufficient to overcome a videogame addiction. If a Christian must admit that video games are controlling his schedule (I Cor. 9:27) or his thinking (Ps. 10:4; II Cor. 10:5; Is. 55: 7; Jer. 4:14), and that he is brought under their power, he must also admit that they are not honoring to God.

Conclusion

The truth is that very few people can play video games without viewing inappropriate content repeatedly, wasting their God-given resources, nurturing a fleshly appetite, and being “brought under” their power. Where a teenager or adult can honestly say that God would be pleased with their video games in all of these areas, they may have a right to play many of their games. However, all too often, Christians will defend their gaming while ignoring these clear biblical principles and consequently ruin the potential of an intimate, loving relationship with their Savior. Let’s stop pushing the lilacs and chocolates in God’s face, so to speak, and let’s start listening to what He says about our videogames.