Should a Christian play video games?

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Question: "Should a Christian play video games?"

Answer: Written 2000 years ago, God’s Word does not explicitly teach whether or not to play video games. But the Bible’s principles still apply today. When God shows us that a specific activity is controlling our lives, we should break away from it for a time. This “fast” could be from food, movies, music, video games, anything taking us away from loving God. While some of these things may not be bad in and of themselves, they become idols if they distract us from our first love (Colossians 3:5; Revelation 2:4). Prayerfully consider the Bible’s teaching below. If we trust God for wisdom, He promises to guide us (James 1:5; Proverbs 3:5-6).

1. Will video games edify or merely entertain me? Edify means to build up. Will playing video games build up your love for God, knowledge of Him, and ministry to others? “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not” (1 Corinthians 10:23; see also 1 Corinthians 10:24; Romans 14:19). When God gives us relaxation time, we should find uplifting activities to enjoy such as quality music, edifying books, noble conversations. Are you choosing permissible over praise-worthy activities? When you have a choice between good, better, and best, choose the best! (See Galatians 5:13-17.)

2. Will playing video games obey self-will or God’s will? God’s will for His children can be summed up in His greatest commandment: “. . . You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27.) Our will has been polluted by sin. Because we have been saved from our selfish desires, we should surrender our will (Philippians 3:7-9). God’s will transforms our will (Psalms 143:10). Soon, His desires for us become our deepest desires, as well.

Many people believe the will of God is boring and humiliating. They picture a monk in a lonely monastery or a resentful church janitor. On the contrary, people who follow God’s will for their lives are the most joyful, adventurous people I know. Read biographies of history’s heroes: Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichael, Corrie Ten Boom, and George Mueller. Certainly, they faced difficulty from the world and the devil, and they may not have had much of this world’s possessions; but God accomplished great works through them.

“Desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, that you might walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every work and increasing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:9-10.) At first, His will seems impossible and too holy to be any fun, but God will give us the power to perform it and the desires to delight in it. “I delight to do Your will, O my God” (Psalm 40:8a; see Hebrews 13:21).

3. Does the video game glorify God? Some of those games glorify violence, lewdness, and dumb decisions (i.e. “I’m out of the race, so I’ll just wreck my car”). A Christian’s activities should bring glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

4. Will playing video games result in good works? “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10; see also Titus 2:11-14 and 1 Peter 2:15). Laziness and selfishness violate God’s purpose – good works to others. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 15:58; see also Galatians 6:9-10).

5. Will playing video games show self-control? Paul compares the Christian life to an athlete, disciplining his body so he may win the prize. Christians have a greater motivation to live a set-apart life: eternal reward in heaven. “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control. . .” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27).

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Hebrews 12:1-3; see also 2 Peter 1:3-8 and 1 Timothy 4:8, 12).

6. Will playing video games redeem the time? You will give account for how you use your limited minutes. “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17). “. . . live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2; see also Colossians 4:5, James 4:14, and 1 Peter 1:14-22).

7. Are these video games something Jesus would play? We should be conforming to His character (Romans 8:29). “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). Each person must decide: “Will I serve myself or Jesus? Will I seek self-gratification or show self-denial? Will I seek first my entertainment, desires, and fun, or will I give Christ control?”

8. Does it pass the test of Philippians 4:8? “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” (Philippians 4:8). When you play video games, does your mind focused on godly or secular things?

9. Will playing video games fit in with my life purpose? Paul wrote that in the final days people would be ". . . lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Timothy 3:4). Our culture fits that description. We love to play. Non-Christians become addicted to entertainment such as movies, sports, and rock music because they don’t have a higher purpose other than to enjoy life before death. These amusements can’t satisfy (Ecclesiastes 2:1).

Paul considered knowing, loving, and obeying God to be his highest priority. “But whatever things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. . . that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable to His death” (Philippians 3:7-10). Will playing video games be showing my love for God or my love for the things of the world? (1 John 2:15-17).

10. Will playing video games give me an eternal focus? Christians have hope of eternal reward in heaven if they are faithful on earth (See Matthew 6:19-21 and 1 Corinthians 3:11-16). If we focus on living for eternity rather than the passing pleasures of earth, we will have surrendered resources, time, and hearts for ministry. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. . . . Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:1-2; 23-24). If our possessions or activities cause us to lose our eternal reward, of what worth are they (Luke 12:33-37)? Christians in affluent America often try to serve both God and their own desires. But Jesus clearly stated, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).

Application: So, does God want us to live a boring life? No way! God gives us joy through times of work and rest (Ecclesiastes 5:19; Matthew 11:28-29; Colossians 3:23-24). You must find that balance between labor and recreation. When you do set aside time for relaxation as Jesus did (Mark 6:31), choose an edifying activity. The question is not “Can I play video games?” but “Would video games be the best choice?” Will this edify me, show love to my neighbor, and glorify God? Pursue praise-worthy activities – not just permissible ones. However He leads you, passionately follow Him above all else. Prepare for eternity. You know what? Every sacrifice will seem insignificant when we meet Jesus.