A Warning Against Video Games

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. –1 Corinthians 13:11

We live in a society where there is an artificial version of everything. We never need to go out and get our hands dirty or make real relationships. We get artificial love from pornography. We get artificial relationships from social media. With video games, we get an artificial adventure. 

The world of video games provides you all the glory for taking the risk without the risk. We can defend the galaxy from behind the lens of Master Chief and never die. We can rock out on Rock Band without knowing a thing about musical notes or chords. If with we fail to hit the buttons in time we are spared the embarrassment of failing before an audience. We can even raise artificial families and start fake businesses and not have to worry about the possibility of financial ruin.

Often times video games become a refuge for cowards who never have to put anything on the line except a K/D ratio.

God created us for more than to live life only experiencing an adventure through the fake life of Master Chief in Halo. Every Christian has been called to go fulfill the great commission. God’s has gifted men and woman to serve the church of God in some role. God calls the majority of men and women to marry and raise families. Real families, not just simulated families that hide in your video game counsel all day. The very few men and women who are called to singleness are called for the purpose of a greater focus on Christ and His kingdom, not for hours spent online playing World of Warcraft. 

What truly frightens me is that men and women are spending their time on worthless things. That men and women are spending countless hours wasting their creativity and attention in a world that is not real. Meanwhile, the world that is real is neglected. Real relationships and families are being passed up. Real opportunities to start a business that makes actual money are left unsearched. 

Men and women, please, take the time to consider my words. Evaluate the worth of how many video games you play. Is this really glorifying God or are you just self-medicating with mind-numbing activities?

I’m not against a little entertainment here and there. I’m not against occasional video game playing when you have friends over. An hour or two a month isn’t a problem. However, when a whole person’s attention is consumed in a world that is fake with little interaction with the real world, that’s when I see a problem. Spend time in the world created by God. Call a friend. Go outside and read your Bible. Invest in your brother or neighbor. Preach the gospel on the streets. Get off the couch and be a real person.

“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