PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

DEHRADUN

PRESENTATION ON

VIDEO GAMES AND ONLINE GAMES

STEPHEN LEPCHA
1172
ETHICS
SUBMISSION DATE: 15TH MARCH 2020
 VIDEO GAMES AND ONLINE GAMES

INTRODUCTION: When we look around the world, we see the world is full of

entertainment or we can say it in another way, the people on the earth look for entertainment.

There are more than thousands of things which give us entertainment in the world. People on

the earth would love to do or watch things which would entertain them. Nowadays we see

there are so many video games and online games available for us in the world to entertain

ourselves. There are some games which is played almost in all the countries. As being

Christians, we might have a question in our mind and that question is being Christians can we

play video games/online games? Nobody has the proper answers to this question. Some might

say we can’t play or some may say we can. In this paper I will be writing about how video

games and online games are influencing the youths in the Church.

PURPOSE: My purpose is to clear whether Christians can play video games or not?

What is a video game?

Video game is an electronic game played on a video screen.

Some popular video games are; FIFA, COUNTER SRTIKE, GTA, MMA, MINCRAFT etc.

Nowadays people often play games in their phones. We call it online games.

What are some famous online games?

There are so many online games which people would love to play. I would like to list out 10

games which are famous in India;

 1. PUBG

2. CLASH OF CLANS (COC)

3. CALL OD DUTY

4. FREE FIRE

5. BGMI

6. CLASH ROYALE

7. MOBILE LEGENDS

8. POKEMON

9. CANDY CRUSH

10. AMONG US.

ETHICAL PROBLEM:

Gaming has become a hugely popular pastime. Everyone plays games to relax, socialise, and

to have fun. Playing games is relaxing. Sadly, nowadays people are too much addicted to the

games they play. The youths of the church are addicted too. They would play their game the

whole day but will not attend the Church. They have become slaves to their games. They are

becoming spiritually weak day by day. Games are making people lazy and stubborn in the

society. Online games are influencing people in a negative way. People have started hating

each other instead of loving each other. Being Christians, we are called to serve each other

and love each other (1JOHN 4:8). Some people are that much addicted they can’t live without

games. If they won’t get to play the games they are addicted too, they will be frustrated and

even they can kill their own brothers/sisters and their parents. These kinds of things are

happening in our country and in our society as well. It is leading people against God’s

commandments, as we know killing is sin (EXO. 20:13). The youths and the children in the

church are focusing on gaming but not in the word of God. They would love to do things

which are connected with their games but they are not listening to their own parents. Even
they are taught in their Sunday school to love their parents (Eph. 6:1-3), they fail to obey

because of gaming. In today’s world the youths and children refrain themselves from the

word of God. They would love to talk about their games for hour an hour but they hate to

listen God’s word even for 5-10 mins.

SOLUTION:

1. The church leaders must talk on these issues the youths are facing today in the church.

1. Bible study is must needed in every church for the youths and children so they may

get the time to spend on God’s word.

2. The parents must look after their child if their child is too much addicted to the

games.

3. Parents must pray for them and teach them the word of God daily in their daily lives.

4. Church leaders must spend time with the youths and the children and talk with them

personally.

BIBLICAL VIEW:

The Bible doesn’t tell us clearly that whether Christians should play video games/online

games or not. However, the Bible tells us whatever we do it may for the glory of God (1

COR.10:31). Does playing games glorify God? The video games glorify violence and dumb

decisions. As Christians our activities should bring glory to God and help us to grow in the

knowledge and grace of Christ. We must build our relationship with our God in our daily

lives. Does playing video games and online help us to build our relationship with God?

Everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial (1 COR.10:23). We are called to

walk according to God’s will (ROM. 12:2). Does playing games help us to walk according to
God’s will? Playing games do not help us to walk according to God’s will instead it leads us

against God’s will. In the ten commandments, God describes himself as a jealous God after

giving the command to not make idols (Exo.20:5-6). God doesn’t want us to love other things

more than him. God loves us and he doesn’t want us to go far away from his love. God

doesn’t want us to be destroyed by the idolatry.

SUMMARY;

Playing online games is not sin but it may lead us to commit sin. Sin like killing, stealing,

lying are happening because of gaming. Playing games do not help us to have intimate

relationship with God, instead it drives us away from God. We can play games but we must

be careful it should not be our first love our first love is only God. God doesn’t want to be

idol worshippers. We must not try to play those games which brings dishonour to our God.

Playing games is relaxing and fun but it does not benefit us spiritually. Let our activities

bring glory to our God. Let the games do not take place of our God. We must focus on the

Lord Jesus Christ rather than the games we play in this world. We must know that the

enjoyments we get from the world is just temporary. Let us use our time wisely and for the

glory of God. We must focus on our calling and walk according to his will.