In Defense of Video Games

READ: GENESIS 1:26-31; PSALM 24:1

I grew up around gamers. I remember spending hours of my childhood curled up on the couch watching my older brothers, Tony and AJ, play Legend of Zelda. I admired their skill and problem-solving abilities, and I often wished I could play as well as they did.

Being created in God’s image gives us several good desires that can be used for God-glorifying purposes, and two of those desires are the desire to create and the desire to solve problems. As strange as it may sound, we can use video games to hone and train those good desires.

We are created to create because we are created in the Creator’s image (say that five times fast). This gift allows us to make incredible works of art using all kinds of different mediums. Since the beginning of time, we have been painting, sculpting, writing, singing, and directing plays. And now that artistic expression can be found in developing video games. Playing certain video games taps into our God-given creativity and helps us explore it more fully.

Video games also help us problem-solve, often with other people. Many games present the player with some difficult situation that they must resolve using strategic planning skills. These strategic planning skills—including resource management, cooperation, and persistence—are vital to the kingdom of God. In fact, God is glorified anytime we use those skills, so long as we aren’t using them for something sinful.

This is great news! Even though our world is broken by sin, Christ died so that, in Him, we could be free to serve and glorify Him in our daily endeavors. As the Creator, God loves beautiful art, and He loves a problem well-solved. He is overjoyed when we use the skills He has given to us.

So, as Christians, we have to think carefully about any art form we create or consume, including video games. Follow the rules in your household about video games and thank God for the skills and abilities He has given you. • Taylor Eising

• Who are some people in your life you can talk to about which video games are helpful, and which are not?

• What are some ways you can apply the skills you use in video games to real life?

So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)