Question: Number 5: Violent video games. This comes from Shawn. “Should a Christian play violent video games like shooting games or fighting games?”
Tim: I would just say this: Is killing good or bad? Is it right or wrong? Does it encourage Christ-likeness or ungodliness? The psalmist says, “I will not set before my eyes, anything that is worthless.” Everything we allow into our lives or don’t allow into our lives, we need to ask about worth. I already quoted to you Philippians 1:9 where Paul says that his prayer is that we would get to the place where we would approve of that which is excellent. Excellency has to do with worth. Folks, we need to get to a place where we’ve got discernment. To be able to discern good and bad. If we’re to abstain or abhor that which is evil, but cling to that which is good, we’ve got to be a place where we’re able to make these evaluations. Where we’re able to make discernments.
One of the reasons that some of the questions are even being asked about violent video games or heavy metal rock is because these young people don’t know the Bible. If they knew the Bible, it’s clear what Scripture says. Again, it comes back to this, are we trying to be as worldly as possible and still be a Christian? Or are we truly seeking to live excellently?
