Guarding Your Heart: Video Games and Your Walk with God

*This article is part of “Dialogues,” where real questions from people are answered by AI and then reviewed by theologians for clarity, accuracy, and faithfulness to Christian teaching.

Question

“How can I think about playing video games if I want to stay close to God in everything I do?”

Answer

The Christian life is not about following a list of do’s and don’ts. It’s about walking closely with God and letting every part of your life reflect that relationship, including how you rest, play, and spend your time.

1 Corinthians 10:31 reminds us: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” This includes video games. They may seem harmless or casual, but over time, they can affect your spiritual awareness, your heart, and your habits, either drawing you closer to God or slowly distracting you from Him.

1. What Shapes Your Mind Will Shape Your Heart

Many games are designed to be immersive and addictive. If the content constantly exposes you to violence, pride, mockery, or desensitization, it may shift your values without you noticing.

Philippians 4:8 calls believers to fill their minds with what is true, pure, lovely, and admirable. This isn’t just idealism, it’s protection. What you dwell on in entertainment will eventually shape your responses in real life and your sensitivity to God’s Spirit.

2. How You Spend Your Time Reveals What You Treasure

Games can easily take more than they give. Time meant for reading Scripture, praying, serving others, or even resting your body and soul can be consumed by long hours in front of a screen.

Jesus taught that “where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Ask yourself: does this hobby bring me closer to God or slowly make me forget to seek Him first?

3. Entertainment Can Numb or Nurture Your Spiritual Hunger

God wants to speak to you, not just during church or Bible study, but in the quiet, open moments of life. When entertainment becomes constant noise, it can crowd out the voice of the Holy Spirit.

When gaming becomes a habit that fills every free moment, it may not be sin, but it may be slowly hardening your heart to things of God. Hebrews 3:15 says, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”

4. Watch What You Model to Others

Your choices influence others, even when you don’t realize it. People around you may see your habits and imitate them.

Paul teaches in Romans 14 that our freedom should not cause another to stumble. Your example could either inspire someone to pursue a closer walk with God or make worldly distractions seem spiritually neutral.

5. Your Relationship with God Deserves Your Attention

God is not distant. He desires intimacy, honesty, and your whole heart. But any routine, no matter how socially acceptable, that slowly steals your time, dulls your mind, and distracts your soul can weaken your spiritual life. Not suddenly, but gradually.

Just like in a friendship or marriage, neglect weakens love. Attention and time deepen it. Protect your relationship with God with the same seriousness you’d guard your most precious human relationships.

Reflection Questions

• After playing, do I feel spiritually refreshed or more distant from God?
• Is this game helping me grow in kindness, self-control, and peace?
• Does it fill a void that I could instead bring to God in prayer or worship?
• Am I using it to avoid hard things God may be inviting me to face?

Conclusion

The issue is not whether video games are allowed or not. The deeper question is: What are they doing to your soul? Are they nourishing your faith or quietly starving it?

You were made for connection with God, not just consumption of content. Let every area of your life, including how you play, be shaped by love for Him. That’s not legalism. That’s spiritual maturity.

And remember: God isn’t looking to take joy away from you. He wants to give you a better joy, one rooted in freedom, peace, and deep friendship with Him.