I was thinking about this over the weekend because of what was mentioned to me a week ago. That is video game addiction. For some it can be just like a person who is addicted to drugs. You may deny it but it's real. I have read and written about video game addiction. I have known personally those who were addicted to video games.
Back in the day - Pac-Man, Asteroids, Space Invaders, Battlezone and Donkey Kong, video games have landed themselves not only in amusement arcades but also in corner drugstores, supermarkets, gas stations, fast-food parlors and nearly everywhere else that people congregate. This was before they entered into your home.
I remember stealing money from my mother just to play Donkey Kong jr. Pacman and games like it are in a different league compared to games today. Take for example Grand Theft Auto. The object of the game is to advance in a criminal organization by taking part in various crimes, such as prostitution and murder. Each of your actions has consequences. If you kill pedestrians in your stolen car, police officers chase you.
If you shoot one of them, the FBI gets involved. Kill an FBI agent, and the military seek to destroy you. Although the game is intended for those 17 and older, stores have been known to sell the game to younger children. Even 12-year-olds are expressing interest in playing. Reason I picked this game is because of what was said yesterday. Gabriel who is 5 years old, my son of course received a letter from another 5 year old in his class. After asking Gabriel in his letter a series of questions, one of the questions asked " What was your favorite video game ". His answer to his favorite game was " Grand Theft Auto 3 " I then said to myself, Wow this kid is 5 years old and his parents allow him to play this game?
At any age is this kind of game or games like it healthy for you? Spiritually speaking it's not. I often mentioned having a balance in life along with what entertains you. If you do play games make sure you do not neglect every other part of your life. For example, if you have a wife - you know that your wife has needs. Make sure those needs are met. If you have children, make sure you are playing with your kids. Last thing you want is your wife to leave you and your kids not knowing who their father was.
Is it real? Yes it is. One of the most popular games right now is World of Warcraft and since they just released WOTLK everyone is in a hurry to get to 80. Spend hours and hours and hours neglecting everything else in their life just to get to 80? It doesn't stop there. Now comes gearing up! Requires even more time. How are you going to do it? If you are to play games, you need to balance it out. If you have an addictive nature then maybe you shouldn't be playing at all.
Another popular game that was recently released was Call of Duty 5. I was a big fan of Call of Duty 4 and did play it for sometime before I deleted it and games like it. The scriptures don't spell everything out for us but there are guidelines we can follow of what to play and what not to play. For example you will not find a scripture that says not to smoke but there are guidelines and thus with games its the same thing. Use caution on what you do with your time. Before you know it, your kids are young men and women. Before you know it, your wife has left you or your husband has left you. Before you know it you are alone..................Till tomorrow....
Word up!!
Let me add because I was asked. This has nothing to do with me. Just pointing out the obvious. My family are very happy. Our relationship is great. I couldn't ask for a better wife and couldn't ask for better children. We are in the process of getting Jesse his first car!!
