Should Christians play video games? This is a practical and frequently-asked question. This issue is not specifically addressed in the Bible, but as I always say: When there isn’t a specific passage addressing an issue in the Bible, you can seek out biblical principles to apply the word of God to modern situations.
These principles apply to any kind of secular entertainment.
Do video games take up too much of my time?
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
Perhaps one of the most detrimental aspects of video games is that they can be so addictive and take up so much of your time. I know when I was growing up, I played a lot of video games. Even now, on my phone, I have games I play that take up too much time that could be better spent.
When you get hooked on a good video game, it can be difficult to put it down! Before you know it, hours have gone by.
Let’s say you start playing video games when you’re 15. By the time you hit 55, you finally decide to move on from that. That’s 40 years of life dedicated to games! And let’s just say you average 25 hours per week. Divide that by 168 hours per week and multiply it by 40 years, you will have spent 6 YEARS playing games! Wow! Would you be proud to stand before Christ saying you spent 6 of the years he gave you playing video games?
Do video games hinder my communication with other people?
If you’re out in public constantly playing games on your phone, or you’re home all the time because you only play games instead of going anywhere, you’re hindering yourself from having interactions with other people as God intended. So you can’t make meaningful connections, and it’s also a bit rude!
Do video games affect my thought life?
This wasn’t much of an issue back with the early video games. Now, they’re so realistic and immersive, they even have age ratings! Some of the images and activities in them can cause your thought life to drift toward temptation and sin.
This answer will be different for every person and every game.
Does my conscience convict me about video games?
But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.
When you get to a certain point in your Christian life, you don’t need someone over your shoulder telling you what you should and shouldn’t do. The Holy Spirit in you should be giving you an awareness of when something is wrong. If you feel that in your conscience, you should respond to that.
Conclusion: Should Christians play video games?
So, should Christians play video games? Video games should not impact your spiritual life, your family life, your professional life. It’s okay for a little down time, but you have to be careful it doesn’t go too far.
For more helpful biblical Christian content from Allen Parr, visit his YouTube channel The BEAT or browse other topics on the Let’s Equip blog!