Let's Talk Entertainment-Specifically Video Games

Uh Oh! Yup, I'm tackling this too.  

I have to admit I never really had an issue with spending too much time on a single video game in my lifetime.  I tend to get bored really fast.  Of course, I will spend time on various games every night, so that's kind of the same.  When our son was using his DS to complete Mario Bros, of course I had to try it out. I loved Mario related video games when I was younger in my early 20s. 

Of course, our first console was Intellivision, at least that's the first one I remember. I really enjoyed playing Dungeons and Dragons(if you are looking for some nostalgia from this game, check this out) and Pitfall. When I was a little bit older we had a Colecovision in which I would play Mouse Trap.  In high school I like playing Where in the US or World is Carmen San Diego and Oregon Trail.

My idea of a fun video game is Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy or Trivia Crack.  I even like the occasional free slot games. I'll try new games, and my hubby has even installed emulators on my computer to play older games like Myst and Oregon Trail, but I lose interest fast.

Like all entertainment, video gaming can be a time sucker.  It can become an idol.  Unless you are playing some kind of game that is teaching you about the bible I can't imagine that any of these games are glorifying to God.  However, a lot of games aren't disrespectful of Him. 

Here's the problem I have specifically with video games.  A lot of the games we play engage the creative centers in our brains, they push us to learn and to be strategic-these are good things. However, they also teach our brains the desire to want more, to level up, to keep going until completion. When we get to the end, what happens?  Have you ever finished a video game and been really satisfied?  Some of you are probably thinking, of course.  Those of you who are, what are you thinking right after you finish your game, or a couple of days afterward?  I am guessing it's something like "What now?" or "Which game should I play now?"   We are always looking for that completion, that fulfillment.  I feel like this is a human kind of thing.  We aren't finished until we are fulfilled and when we don't feel that fulfillment we move onto the next big thing to fill that hole.

Only God, through his son Jesus can fill that emptiness in our hearts. Not our spouse, not our kids, not other people and definitely not entertainment.  It might feel like it at the time though.

There is a lot of debate about whether or not video games are addictive or not.  Like a lot of other entertainment or things in life, they can be.  There can be a physical addiction and/or an emotional addiction to them.  We are looking in the wrong place.  I am as much a part of this as anyone else. 

Here are a couple of interesting reads on the subject of video game addiction.  There obviously is a problem if there is help out there for it.

1. Video game addiction from the American Addiction centers.
2. Focus on the Family also did a series here on The Parent's Guide to Video games.
3. As to marriage, here and part 2, are from one of my favorite bloggers/author's that talks about what to do is your husband is addicted to video games or plays too much.  This can also apply to wives.  As we all know the world is changing and there are plenty of woman who can be addicted to things like pornography and/or video games that seemed like a man only thing.

So, What's my point?

Like all other entertainment, video games can be a time sucker.  The content of some of them are dishonoring to God, and others may have some things that can cause eyes to stray and hearts to break.  Harmless games can become stumbling blocks.  My point is to beware of the activities you engage in, like other forms of entertainment, they can lead you down the wrong path.  If you have kids, censor the games to age appropriateness and talk about the things your kids see in the games and how they might be affected by them. Set time limits for your kids and yourself and make them reasonable.  My suggestion would to not let the limit be "I'll get off as soon as I get to the next level, or beat the next...etc" because that can lead to hours for some games.  

In All Things, Keep Jesus your center.

If you are walking in his word daily it can be easier to avoid temptation when it's thrown in front of you.  We are not perfect, we are all full of sin, but we have a savior.  Listen to the song below, try to keep the path and when you stray;

Ephesians 2:1-10

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

1 Peter 2:24
24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”