Disclaimer

God works with every person in a different way, the Bible teaches us to test everything we receive and keep that which is good ( 1 Thessalonians 5:21,22). When considering if something is good or bad one needs to be objective and allow God to speak you and show you His opinion. Sometimes however God wants us to use our own discernment to choose.

When I consider something to decide if it is good or bad one of my best tests is to evaluate what impact it has on my relationship with God. Coming from a conservative Afrikaans background I was never exposed to charismatic churches, and even today I am not comfortable visiting or attending a service at a charismatic church. People being noisy during a church service is a problem for me; I cannot concentrate and get irritated, - and this is not very good for my relationship with Yahweh. But this does not make charismatic churches bad places, - I know of a couple of charismatic churches that I believe are great for the kingdom of God.

That which strengthens my relationship with the Lord does not necessarily strengthen your relationship, and it might even make you uncomfortable.

Whilst we do however have very strong guidelines (laws) in the Bible about what is right and what is wrong, unfortunately the Bible was written a very long time ago and we do not always clearly understand what the writer meant. The Jewish culture is very colorful and images are frequently used to describe things and unfortunately those images we do not know in our current time, this is where the Holy Spirit comes in.

The Holy Spirit lives in us and helps us discern between right and wrong, good and bad. When evaluating something we cannot choose if it is good or bad without inviting the Holy Spirit into our conversation with ourselves.

One example I can use is the use of alcohol, a very controversial topic amongst Christians. Before Jesus saved me I was a wild student, getting drunk very often, and alcohol was a very bad thing for me. Since being saved I have not gotten drunk again and I have learned to use alcohol in a very good way (I believe that I have been called to minister to people who use alcohol to get drunk). When building a relationship with someone who abuses alcohol one needs to not address the alcohol but the fact that Jesus have not saved that person. As for me - I like having a drink with those people and praying for them. My brother in law has never put any alcohol over his lips, and that is his relationship with Jesus, and I respect him for it. He loves God dearly and he does not condemn me for having a drink or two. That is what I am talking about.

So is PC Gaming bad?

I am going to start by saying yes, some PC gaming is very bad.

Is a kitchen knife bad? No it cuts up our food. Is it bad if it is used to commit murder? Sort of. Actually it’s the person using the knife that is bad. Are PC’s bad, no it does many great things in the business world and personal PC’s can be great things. Unfortunately there are people who use PC’s for very bad things.

In my friend’s church some of the older people will leave the church if they start to use a PC, I don’t agree with them but if the PC will threaten their relationship with the Lord then it is better not to use it. The Bible teaches us that some things by themselves are not bad, but if it comes between one of our brothers or sister relationship with the Lord we are not to do it. (1 Corinthians 10:31-33, Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 8)

In my opinion most PC games are neutral by themselves. There are some who are blatantly against Jesus and contains a lot of content that corrupts minds.

I want to reiterate my question: What does it do to your relationship with the Lord?

In our current world stress is a major problem, despite God instructions to give everything to Him. Playing a game relaxes me, clears my head and helps me not to stress. I first started playing games about 5 years ago. When I got married about 4 years ago PC games caused big problems in my marriage, which made them very bad things. Now however I understand my wife in it, and she understands me so my time at my PC is not a problem anymore.

Time is the one big thing we cannot negotiate about. Time waits for no man (except of course if God makes the sun wait for you). Spending time at your PC is something to be very mindful of. If you are neglecting your wife, your children, your relationship with God, your pets, your friends or yourself, then gaming is a bad thing for you. Gaming pulls you in, it hooks you, you want more. Other things pull us in, work, hobbies, sport, training, reading (including reading the Bible). Can reading the Bible be a bad thing?

Spend your time wisely, it’s the only time you have, it’s the only chance you have to serve God and your loved ones. ( Matthew 5:14-16)

The content of certain games are definitely something to be mindful of. The games I play is mostly about hunting terrorists (or being one and being hunted) or building an army and defeating the enemy. Very violent. Is it bad?

Some games involves role playing, being a different person. Some role playing games involve casting spells, some even summoning demons. Is it bad?

Some games contains explicit sex and pornography. Is it bad?

Some games lets you build a family and “live” them. Is it bad?

What is God telling you about the games you are playing? What is He telling you about your work, your hobby, your sport, your training, your reading?

What is God telling you about the game you are NOT playing? What is He telling you about your work you are NOT doing, your hobby you are NOT doing, your sport you are NOT doing, your training you are NOT doing, your reading you are NOT doing?

What is God telling you about the games (hobbies, sport, etc) of your children?

For me playing a violent game does not make me a violent person. Playing a role playing game does not make me the character. Casting a spell in a game I don’t mind, it does not lure me to witch craft in any degree. Pornography in a game is totally unacceptable to me and I rather will not play the game.

Being a 30 year old man my mind has matured and is less easy to influence subconsciously, I believe that casting spells in a game can have very bad influences on a young child. Pornography on the other hand I believe influences a person of any age, and I will avoid it at all cost.

If in doubt, the Holy Spirit is probably trying to talk to you, let Him.

Your soul is far more valuable than playing a game (doing your hobby, sport, etc). If you are not sure about a game, leave it on your shelve and pray about it.

So if it’s not bad, is it good?

What good can there possibly be in playing a game?

As I have mentioned playing (a game) relaxes me, it reduces any stress I might possibly have. That in my opinion is a major thing in our modern lives. Stress has medical, emotional, physiological, sociological and almost all other …logical impacts, reducing stress is something that needs to be addressed from pulpits in churches. Stress kills the modern person and that God does not want. ( Romans 14:20)

Most games are written by very advanced software development teams. Games are no longer simple (Gaming requirements have stimulated research and development in personal computers more than most other industries). I enjoy playing strategy games and the strategies you need in a games are very similar to the strategies you need for everyday life. Hand- eye coordination is crucial when playing a “First Person Shooter” game. Games are written for people, and the best games appeal most to the modern person (across many genres). To think games are “just wasting time” or “just a game” is a very skewered opinion. Moder