I read an article today about how to help your children fight idolatry in their lives with regard to video games. The article actually had some really good points, but the editor of the article more or less equated video games with idolatry. This sort of irked me when I read it. I probably don’t have to say this, but video games are not, in and of themselves, idols–video games like all other forms of media or activities we participate in only become idols when we misappropriate them in our lives. After I got over being irked, I began to reflect on how I use video games and how I might protect myself from misappropriating them to the point of idol status.
So for all our gamers out there, how do you regulate your use of video games? I think video games certainly bring with them a certain addictive element that encourages spending inordinate amounts of time playing them. How do we appreciate them in a way that guards against addiction and keeps greater priorities in perspective?
How do we discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness in light of our use of media? I have a suspicion that we at CAPC have some readers who make an effort to use media responsibly–what does that look like for you? What checks do you have in place to help guide you in using media in a way that glorifies God? Share in the comment meta and if there is worthwhile conversation, I will share some checks and balances I have in place with regard to my use of media as well.
Drew Dixon is a co-editor of CaPC, a husband, pastor, soccer coach, reader, movie buff, and gamer. Drew has a BA in Speech Communication from West Texas A&M University and a MDIV in Christian Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Drew is interested in all facets of pop culture but writes most often about videogames and music. He also writes on videogames for Relevant Magazine. Look him up on Twitter at drewdixon82. Email: dixon.drew [at] gmail [dot] com Steam: Drizzoo703 XBL: Drizzoo82 
As someone who plays an MMO (Lord of the Rings Online), which can suck up a huge amount of time – this is extremely relevant to me. I try to limit my time by only playing the game on certain days. I know when I play it will be for a few hours so this way I make sure I am doing other things besides always playing the game. I also make sure that my devotion time typically comes before I log into the game. In all things I try to keep in mind that the game, while very entertaining, is something temporary while Christ is eternal.
I honestly think that having a wife has been a huge help in this area. She understands that I enjoy playing video games instead of doing a lot of other things, and she knows that it’s something that I take rather seriously and that I’m generally thoughtful about it. She knows it’s something I’m passionate about, and so when she demonstrates a real understanding of all of that is easy for me to agree with her when she says I’ve been playing too much lately.
Really, though, it’s just about being aware of the dangers and fighting against them. Consider what can be lost by obsessing over the medium and guard those things. Relational living, productivity, spiritual discipline and general life balance can all be maintained while also playing video games on a regular basis. Really, the more I enjoy of the other things, the easier I find it to give up video games when I need to. After a while I just grow sick of them and want to read, which really freaks my wife out.