Beneath the Surface 01-What Then, Shall We Play?

“…the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 ESV 02-02-2010                                                                                                                  written by: Joseph Luhn

Remember the phrase “What would Jesus do?”  It’s one of those sayings that, while deep and full of truth, has been largely shunned by our culture as some sort of 90s fad.  The question itself is simple; it’s the honest answers that elicit potentially life changing actions.  If we were to live our lives and ask ourselves this question before we act, how much good could we do for God?  If nothing else, we would be more in tune to the way God would have us live our lives in honor to Him. So what’s this got to do with video games?  I’ve been a gamer for a long time now, so I’ve had the opportunity to observe and experience a lot of gaming related trends and debates.  One debate that seems to grow more heated each year is the one over morality in video games.  We’ve all heard the arguments either for or against playing certain games; “Jesus would never play something that violent!” or how about, “Could you really play that game if Jesus was in the room?”  On the opposite end of the spectrum we hear, “Jesus would understand that it’s only a game; none of it is real.”  Some people think that any game is acceptable and worth playing since it is, after all, ‘just a game’.  Others think that even Viva Piñata is to risqué for children and adults to play.  Whatever your opinion is or what side you stand on, you can’t deny that gaming brings out a strong emotional and spiritual response in a lot of people. I think most people miss the point of these debates.  See, there’s no 11^th commandment that proclaims ‘Thou shalt not partake of video games’.  Jesus never mentioned the virtues of gaming in the Sermon on the Mount.  To me, gaming falls under a category that Paul described as ‘matters of the conscience’.  Romans 14 is a chapter dedicated to such things: “Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.  For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables.  Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.  Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him judge whether they are right or wrong. And with the Lord’s help, they will do what is right and will receive his approval.”  (Romans 1: 1-4   NLT)

Don’t take that passage to mean that all things good or sinful are relative to our beliefs; they’re not.  God still has His say on absolute truth and right.  I think the message of the passage is that we need to be mindful of our actions and check them against His holy standard.  Just because the Bible doesn’t explicitly say ‘Thou shalt not play Manhunt 2’ doesn’t mean the game gets the stamp of approval from Jesus.  The games we spend time on can have an effect on our conscience, our perception of right and wrong, and desensitize us to ‘little sins’.  Because of that, we must guard our hearts even when it comes to video games. You’re probably thinking that I’m about to lay out a list of ‘forbidden games’; a list of games that nobody could ever play and still be saved.  Speaking as a broken vessel, I don’t have the right or authority to do that.  What I will say is that according to Scripture and the principles taught within, there are certain games and types of games that Christians would do well to avoid.  Again, I can’t be the one to say what is or isn’t ‘safe’ to play, but here are some things to consider:

-       Does the game depict any actions that are explicitly forbidden in Scripture?

-       How will playing this game affect my witness?

-       Does any content in the game tug at your conscience?  Do you have to justify parts of it as ‘not that bad’?

-       How does the game affect my spiritual life?  Does it take away time that I ought to be spending in God’s Word?

-       How does gaming affect my personal life?  Are you spending too much time gaming and not enough time on things that matter?

-       Are there any parts in the game that could be described as a ‘stumbling block’, leading others to sin?

“Why all the fuss?” you ask.  “Why pick on video games?”  The truth of the matter is that video games are no different than any other entertainment media.  Most of us wouldn’t think twice about labeling certain magazines, movies or TV shows as sinful.  Games aren’t above such scrutiny just because they’re ‘not real’.  Games and the thoughts and attitudes they put into our minds are very real.  That’s why we need to be discerning when it comes to the games we play.  I’m going to defer my closing statement to Paul; “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”  (Colossians 3:17 NIV)

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