Wisdom and Gaming

As we conclude this series on gaming, there is one more question that remains: Can Christians engage in gaming with a good conscience? The answer, I believe, is yes, given a significant qualifier:  This pursuit must be done with biblical wisdom. Wisdom is the skill that comes from a deep passionate love of God’s truth. You may have been born with intelligence, precocity, and a good memory, but with regard to wisdom, you were born a fool. Wisdom is a skill that may only be acquired through great energy and faith. Protection from the allure of gaming comes from a vigorous pursuit of wisdom. Take a moment to read Proverbs 1:30-2:6.

30 since they would not accept my advice
       and spurned my rebuke,

 31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
       and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

 32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
       and the complacency of fools will destroy them;

 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
       and be at ease, without fear of harm."

1 My son, if you accept my words
       and store up my commands within you,

 2 turning your ear to wisdom
       and applying your heart to understanding,

 3 and if you call out for insight
       and cry aloud for understanding,

 4 and if you look for it as for silver
       and search for it as for hidden treasure,

 5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
       and find the knowledge of God.

 6 For the LORD gives wisdom,
       and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

This passage is really an extension of Proverbs 1:7. It describes an earnest, energetic, almost frantic pursuit of wisdom and understanding. For Christians, the pursuit of wisdom must not be casual or sporadic. The casual pursuit of wisdom is no match for the powerful attraction of electronic gaming. You and your children must have your wisdom skills finely honed in order to even think wisely about what gaming activity, if any,  should be enjoyed.

Developing this skill of wisdom is the result of having a mind renewed by the redemptive power of Christ. As we mentioned earlier, you won’t find the term electronic gaming in any concordance. But if you give yourself to the pursuit of wisdom as if your life depended on it—and it really does (Deut. 32:44-47)—then you will be building the principial base you need in order to evaluate the impact of gaming. Let me stress this again:  you must begin with the passionate acquisition of wisdom before you or your kids even think about gaming. 

This challenge is the same one given by Paul to Timothy. Paul is calling Timothy to warfare that yields a good conscience:   "This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 holding faith and a good conscience… "  I Timothy 1:18-19.

You must be just as prepared for warfare as Timothy was. If your children see this commitment in you, you will indeed be holding out the word of life to them.

You see, once we have laid the groundwork, the particular answer to a question—like what to do about gaming—need not be long and complicated. Please read and reread the passage in Proverbs referenced above. To apply this passage faithfully takes great wisdom and courage. It takes great wisdom and courage to engage in gaming that glorifies our great God. This is the vision you want to give your children. The Christian life is much more about being strong and courageous in pursuit of glory than it is about trying to figure out what not to do.

 Let me know your thoughts and if you have any questions or additional things to consider.

Comments

[David Hartman]

The begining of wisdom is the fear of God, wisdom comes from knowing God and His word, God is wisdom and the Holy Spirit is the one who brings to our rememberance all that Christ has said which would include all of God's word.
That would suggest that it is pretty much all of God and that our part of the pursuit of wisdom is simply to rely on the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom as we spend time reading, studying and memorizing the word of God. If we spend no time in it there will be nothing to remind us of.
The caution would be not to make this some kind of law to fulfill but instead a relationship to build.
Thanks for the 'wisdom' in this message Jay!

Jay,
Your posts on gaming have been nothing short of amazing. I am frightfully busy or I would have written by now. The whole depiction of the existential world view as acknowleding the fall without the wonder of creation and hope of redemption is incredible. PLEASE DO MORE WITH THIS like write a book or something!!! I have never had a solid clear way to cognize the existential world view to the children, and we have all studied the posts fervently. Unbelievably (but not really considering God), that very week Daniel was asked at a college interview how totally boring he would have thought it would have been for "Adam and EVe to hold hands all day in the garden?". This has really helped get a biblical grip on a difficult topic and has not only been profitable for our family, but reaches out further as Daniel takes the concepts with him to battle on the collegiate front. Really excellent.
Thanks!
Berta

[stephen lilico]

I am myself a teenager, and I do find that computer games can be a dangerous distraction from what is important.This whole section has really helped me to get to grips with how to manage my time.
as far as I can tell, it seems to me that computer games can be another opening for communication with your friends, and could be a potentially useful pastime. Unlike other hobbies, it carries an inherently greater risk because its so addictive and creates a different world in which you can immerse yourself.
One thing poeple should note is that this series has implications on other parts of life than gaming, as most of the principles suggested should be applied to everything.
I am so sending a link to this to my mum.

Stephen