Christ Jesus saves everyone. All will come to Him through faith alone in Jesus. Everyone will go to Heaven
Rom. 5:20 "Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more."
Journal Entry 78 - Videogames
December 2nd (Saturday) 2017
When it’s a one word title, you know things are about to get real crazy. I’m joking though, since this time I’m the only person at my house. Some people may see that as a bad thing, but those are oftentimes things said by the likes of extroverts. As for introvert me, if I don’t get my alone time to study things of the culture, I won’t be able to get into the culture. I won’t be able to relax without taking time to process all the exterior stimuli that’s around me. Sure, extroverts can just see a new trend and dive in it, but for me I prefer to do some research.
Of course, since I’m lessening my intake on Bible blogs, this topic I really can’t avoid them. So I’ll only link to 1, since the rest of them are repeats. For this, I’ll split this up into 2 sections, not the pros and cons of video games because those vary by person and are quite biased (that’s something you should ask and consider with your conscience and Holy Spirit yourself), but rather those who don’t like it and those who approve.
The Badders
You know what I find funny about these types of situations, most of them usually start with the following statement “While I personally don’t play videogames, I’ve done some research and…”. So where exactly did you get this research, just more information to appease your own worldview (though that’s something that I’m guilty of to). You can’t ask the Bible this of course, since video games didn’t exist at that time, instead only getting general verses about using your time well.
Colossians 3:23, And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Genesis 2:15, And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
Acts 5:29, Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
But this stuff is just so general. Yeah, work hard, in what? Besides, why should I, a person who plays videogames, be seeking advice from a person who “personally does not play videogames”. Talk about relatability folks. Of course, I’m still glad that they open like this, it shows that they don’t have an intense hatred to videogames and instead tell others “look I don’t really know this topic, but I’ve researched the names of the most violent video games that exist (or some classic 80’s video games) just so that people on both sides of the argument can stop spamming my inbox with this junk”.
Of course, it’s stupid to make this claim without a proper live strawman, so here’s one. If you think I’m targeting you, just look at this guy and be assured that I am indeed not targeting you but rather those who are clueless to this stuff.
https://whatyoumakeitblog.com/2015/11/10-bible-verses-for-when-youre-overthinking.html
Philippians 4:6-7, Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Don’t worry, I’m not pressured to do this type of stuff regularly, it just eases me if I do, it’s relaxing. Though, I’m kinda comparing myself to other people aren’t I. Plus all the censoring stuff lol. Anyways…
It’s hard not to think about this stuff when so many Christians attack.
Job 16:2, I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
So I’ll just get to the good stuff.
The Gooder
Really the reason why I got the idea to write this was with the gooder, since what’s the point of complaining of all these bottled up feelings if I’m not doing something good in the process, to cheer y’all up when you feeling blue and sad and pressured about all these video games. I’m not going to say something corny like “Life’s just a game, try not to take it seriously”. It’s important to take it seriously, but let God do that, He controls your life now not you.
2 Samuel 22:3-4, The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
Deuteronomy 31:6, Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
2 Thessalonians 3:3, But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
1 Corinthians 10:13, There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
http://www.geeksundergrace.com/gaming/why-christians-should-play-video-games/
For me, my goal for videogames is to draw from the games biblical teachings that are good to use in articles. I’ll need more ideas for my journal entries, especially when planning to do 2000 words daily (Well, I’ll probably slow down at some point, it’s tiring but luckily the good kind).
Many conservative groups are quick to bash video games as the cause of violence, hate, and crime. I do agree that media has a strong influence on us all, but I also see the redeeming value of playing through a game and finding God’s glory in it. Humanity has a unique ability to create–something that no other creature on Earth has. Yes, animals can make homes or tools on instinct, but we have the ability to imagine and reason–take a blank canvas and make something of value where there was once nothing. Video games are a work of art, and as believers we can find those biblical correlations in the game and relate them to others. Consder Link being the hero in a dark world (Legend of Zelda), Cloud Strife finding forgiveness after the death of REDACTED (Final Fantasy 7), overcoming our inner battles (Tales of Symphonia) and more.
There we go. While I won’t bash on David J. Stewart since he grew up on videogames, I will bash other conservative groups about how they instantly attack others Christians for these things. I joked with my mom with that and she laughed, I’m glad I can get her to open up more,
The Lord created life full of good things, why are we not to enjoy these good things.
The Lord did not say “go door to door” or “go to the streets” only, but go into every aspect of life, including those of this culture. Be in the world, but not of the world.
To me, this is how Christ lived during His ministry on the Earth, and how He calls us to live today. We are called to go into every sector of society, education, business–anywhere–and bring the Truth of Jesus Christ to the world (Mark 16:15). We cannot wait around for others to come to us before we minister to them, in the same way we can’t wait for a “Christian game” to be released before we’re able to use video games as a medium to reach others. We can find God’s fingerprints in everything, as long as we listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Always seek God’s will in whatever you do. And if you’re not sure, go to His word or just ask Him. He will answer you.
It's had not to just quote this whole article lol, it’s soooooo goooood, especially the writer’s little bio description at the bottom.
Michael is a child of God, husband, teacher, business owner, anime lover and a life long gamer. When not conquering distant world's via console, he can be found reading, watching anime or Netflix, writing, or just enjoying life as a geek in the city of Miami. He aspires to travel to Japan and possibly...never leave.
I can set aside the corniness of “conquering distant world’s via console” and “going to Japan” because it’s honest and sincere and comes to the heart. Huge massive props to this guy, this is honestly one of the best articles I’ve read. Truly, living water that calms my soul. I love this new Christianity and I’m confident that it is the right Christianity. Not bounded down by traditions or liberation, but rather being in the world, but not of it. Thank you Lord, for blessing me with this fantastic and amazing article, it’s truly wonderful and brings good tidings to my soul. My head feels light and my body feels joyful and rest. Now I’m going to watch some Death Note anime, help me fuel my life and have motivation to carry on. So that I too can become an anime lover and a life long gamer, for a long life. Not the traditional short life of the 80’s, but the long life of this new world. Amen.
John 17:15-16 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Don’t minsinterpret that last verse though, playing video games is not of the world, No matter what trauma came from my fundamentalism, I will endure and survive it and be like a lamp exposing the world of it’s evils as the survivor that I was made to be before I was born by the Lord alone.
Lol, spent 2 hours trying to get cuphead game to hold down fire button, autohotkey, literally taping something heavy down, but no avail. Oh well, things move in the second world anyways that are bad to shoot.
If you have church related trauma, let me encourage you in two ways:
1. While it is good and healthy to shed off all of the nonsense American Christian Culture often associates with Jesus, please don’t throw the baby Jesus out with the Church’s dirty bathwater. It’s easy to do, and often understandable. However, please know that the people who have hurt you did not actually represent the real Jesus. The real Jesus is loving beyond belief and preferred to spend his time with drunks, prostitutes, and tax collectors instead of people in church. He is patient and kind; he has reconciled you through the cross and is not holding your sin against you. Jesus is sooo different than what you have experienced.
In fact, Jesus reserved his harshest words for religious people who hurt and oppressed others in the name of God. It actually got him killed.
2. Please, consider giving a faith community another chance. Understand that as long as the Church is made up of broken people like you and me, we’re going to hurt each other. That doesn’t make it okay, and doesn’t mean we have to allow ourselves to be mistreated and abused, but it also doesn’t mean that we should walk away completely. Be willing to give things another chance, and seek out a loving Christian community. I’m not saying it is always easy to find- but I do know this: once you find one that is truly loving and understands the importance of community, it will be a life-giving experience. You may even see past wounds slowly closing and healing until there’s just a scar. That’s where I am at, and ironically, it was only through a re-engagement of a faith community that I found my deepest levels of healing.
3. Consider forgiving those who have hurt you. We often misunderstand forgiveness, thinking that it is an endorsement of the harmful behavior. In reality, forgiveness exists for the benefit of the one wounded, not the one who did the wounding. Forgiveness means you are unwilling to carry the heavy bag of resentment someone else put on your shoulders. Forgiveness flings it off, and helps your walk become a little easier.