When do playing video games become sinful?

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I don’t play any morally wrong video games like GTA, but I generally play daily about 3-4 hours per day. When do video games become sinful?
 
I would think they become sinful when you spend time doing video games when you have other obligations that you are not meeting.
 
Katherine438 said:
I would think they become sinful when you spend time doing video games when you have other obligations that you are not meeting.
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I am a student at the moment and I have a big exam coming up soon. Would it be sinful if I spend 2-3 hours in the morning playing video games but studying in the afternoon afterwards?
 
ResoluteSheep said:
I am a student at the moment and I have a big exam coming up soon. Would it be sinful if I spend 2-3 hours in the morning playing video games but studying in the afternoon afterwards?
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Friend, it depends on whether or not you can reasonably say that the schedule you operate on is allowing you to get enough studying done in order to do well on your exam. There’s no set limit.
 
Frankly, spending 2-3 hours a day playing video games is a colossal waste of time. Sin or not, it is a poor way to spend one’s time.
 
Perhaps not, if you are willing to accept the consequences. You may not do as well on your exam which may interfere with your pursuits beyond the gaming world. 🤷
 
Tim_D said:
Frankly, spending 2-3 hours a day playing video games is a colossal waste of time. Sin or not, it is a poor way to spend one’s time.
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I am aware of that, though I enjoy it as a form relaxation and recreation especially spending time with my friends too.
 
Katherine438 said:
I would think they become sinful when you spend time doing video games when you have other obligations that you are not meeting.
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Could you give some specific examples? At times when I’m too occupied with other stuff (including games) I tend to say my prayers at the last minute. Would this be considered a venial sin?
 
It might not be sinful now but it could be a near occasion of sin. Your example of praying at the last minute shows that it might becoming an unhealthy habit. We are to give God our first fruits, and that doesn’t mean just at the beginning of the day but throughout. You are really playing 3-4 hours every day? What else do you do? Not just obligations but other things so that you are a well balanced person. Play video games every day? Fine. Play 3-4 hours, or more, once in a while? Fine. If you were an athlete in training or something that amount of time would make sense but video games are for fun, to let off steam. That’s what that elite athlete does during his downtime but he doesn’t devote 3+ hours because he has real life stuff to do. Take a few days off and see how that goes. If you have difficulty doing that then you have a problem. Don’t let it become that.

This could be a phase, and you might grow bored. If so, no worries.
 
From a fellow gamer:

It can become an occasion of sin if it becomes an idol, if you start to consider it more important than your relationship with God.

I, for one, have occasionally found ways to play 4-6 hours of video games without neglecting my prayer life. :o (not every single day, mind you) . If this is how you unwind after a long way of work and/or school, don’t let it bother you.
 
When I got my first computer, on the island, the man said it was fine to spend time on it, unless you should be digging the garden,

Says it all

I close down mid afternoon until the following day and watch youtube when it is on, knitting at the same time. (Instead of TV)

But from mid afternoon until next day; no TV no computer.
 
Bruised_Reed said:
It might not be sinful now but it could be a near occasion of sin. Your example of praying at the last minute shows that it might becoming an unhealthy habit. We are to give God our first fruits, and that doesn’t mean just at the beginning of the day but throughout. You are really playing 3-4 hours every day? What else do you do? Not just obligations but other things so that you are a well balanced person. Play video games every day? Fine. Play 3-4 hours, or more, once in a while? Fine. If you were an athlete in training or something that amount of time would make sense but video games are for fun, to let off steam. That’s what that elite athlete does during his downtime but he doesn’t devote 3+ hours because he has real life stuff to do. Take a few days off and see how that goes. If you have difficulty doing that then you have a problem. Don’t let it become that.

This could be a phase, and you might grow bored. If so, no worries.
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Yeah, I noticed too :confused: it’s been a pretty bad habit lately. I’m a high school student taking IGCSEs right now so my daily routine is pretty much: praying, reading Scripture, exercising, studying, video games, hanging out with friends.

When do you think would be an appropriate time to play video games? When I’m feeling bored, tired, stressed out etc? Yes, good idea, since next week is my busy exam week too I’m planning on cutting down on the video games to spend much more time preparing for my exams.

What do you mean by ‘‘phase’’ by the way?
 
Billy112 said:
Friend, it depends on whether or not you can reasonably say that the schedule you operate on is allowing you to get enough studying done in order to do well on your exam. There’s no set limit.
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You took the words right out of my mouth.
 
I used to play video games a lot. Gears of War 2 was an obsession and I could easily play from around 9pm until 5am or so night after night.

I’m a little older now, but some video games are just too much these days. Six hour downloads, open ended missions. I used to remember when $60 bought the whole game, now you’re looking at $100 or more easy to get the “full” game.

I guess I like Nintendo more because the games are fun and can actually be completed.
 
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